Some really close racing, along with a massive rainstorm and the wet-weather driving skills that were subsequently displayed, made for an exciting second round of the Extreme Festival motorsport tour at Zwartkops Raceway on Saturday, March 21.
A near cloudburst interrupted proceedings about halfway through the day, leaving some categories opting not to go out on track again. However, the races that did go ahead succeeded in entertaining the large crowd.
EXTREME SUPERCARS
The bill-topping G&H Transport Extreme Supercar event managed to get through two of its three scheduled races before the heavens opened.
In the opening race, Charl Arangies used the immense power of his 8-litre, V10-engined Stradale Dodge Viper to sweep past the opposition and take the win.
He finished ahead of Sav Gualtieri (OKI BMW F30), with Jonathan du Toit (TAR Ferrari 430) another second behind in third place.
Deon du Plessis (BPT KTM X-Bow), Greg Parton (Drizit KTM X-Bow) and Nicky Dickss (Ferrari 430) filled out the top six places.
Race two saw Arangies running out of road while leading, to retire after just one lap.
Sav Gualtieri indulged his BMW in a quick spin to confuse the various front-runners, and Deon du Plessis grabbed the lead in his KTM.
Despite several attempts to get ahead, Gualtieri could not get past the KTM again and Du Plessis hung on to win ahead of Sav, Kris Budnik (BMW M3), Jonathan du Toit, Greg Parton and Nicky Dicks.
FORMULA FORD
Young karting ace Julian van der Watt enjoyed a sensational long circuit racing debut by winning his first ever Formula Ford race in an Investchem Mygale.
He was followed by veteran Robert Wolk (Chemical Logistics Mygale), Matthew Merton (Mygale) and Dewald Brummer (MAD Mygale).
Race two was held on a sodden circuit and the experienced Robert Wolk blasted away to win by a wide margin, leading home Nicholas van Weely (Magnificent Paints Van Diemen), Dewald Brummer and Dean Venter (Turnfab Mygale).
FORMULA VEE
Jaco Schriks won the first Hankook Formula Vee race from Gert van den Berg, Brad Beningfield and Alan Holm.
Race two, held in the rain, saw veteran Alan Holm leading throughout, chased by Greg Wilson, Brad Beningfield and Jaco Schriks.
OTHER SERIES
The two overall Speed and Sound 111 race victories went to Adrian Dalton (Xtra Clothing Golf Turbo) and George Bezuidenhout (Forkman Nissan Primera), respectively, with a few surprise podiums in the wet too.
Alan Eve won the National Sports Car Challenge Car race from Andrew Strike and Mark du Toit.
The Bridgestone BMW Racing brigade also only finished one race, won by Mishal Sing (Tune Tech BMW M3), ahead of Devin Robertson (Big Boss Auto BMW 335i) and Ricky Giannoccaro (G&H Transport BMW M3).
NEXT ROUND
The next round of the 2015 Extreme Festival series will be held at the Western Cape Killarney circuit on Saturday, April 11.