The golden-era allure of racing cars and motorcycles from the “good old racing days” of the 1960’s, ‘70’s and '80’s pulled thousands of fans to the weekend’s International Historic Meeting at Zwartkop, west of Pretoria, which was also the 50th anniversary of this circuit, originally laid out around a drive-in cinema.
The first race for international sports racing prototypes saw a David-and-Goliath battle between the huge V8-engined 1970 McLaren M8F of Dutch driver Michiel Campagne and the lithe 1968 Chevron B8 of Jonathan du Toit, Campagne finally winning by less than 2sec after 12 laps. Third place in a field of 26 cars was taken by Gerrie van Zyl in a 1971 Chevron B19.
Unfortunately the thundering McLaren didn’t make the start for the second race, which left Du Toit to take a comfortable win from Andre Bezuidenhout (1974 Porsche RSR), with Dillon Miller (1973 Porsche 911 RSR) third.
The Post-1974 World Sports Cars races consisted of a 10-lap scratch race in the morning and a 45-minute mini endurance race as the last event on the crowded programme.
Franz Pretorius took the flag in the first race in his imposing 1982 Porsche 956, with the Shelby CanAms of Brian Algar and Douglas Macdonald in the minor placings.
A downpour during the 45-minute race spiced matters up and required the safety car to slow the cars during the heaviest rain. The wet track allowed a number of Lotus 7 replicas to put pressure on some of the potentially faster cars and the Jeff Gable’s Calss B car actually finished third overall behind Keith Rose (1974 Porsche 911 RS) and Pretorius.
Pretorius also won the Index of Performance category, ahead of the Lotus 7 replicas of Michael Houghton and Timothy Clamp.
More han 70 classic two-wheelers turned out for the Day of the Champions races on Sunday - the best entry the inception of this series four years ago - together with modern Thundersports and Brunch Run Challenge machines. There were also two races for the 100cc Honda “pocket bike” feeder series where the young stars of the future are learning their craft.
The Day of the Champions is not so much about winning as the camaraderie among the riders and the once-a-year opportunity it offers many former racers to get out on the track again. This year the overseas riders brought 22 motorcycles to South Africa and riders included World and National champions as well Maria Costello - the fastest woman ever around the Isle of Man TT course.
The motorcycles ranged from an exotic four-cylinder MV Agusta to simple 125cc two-strokes and in between were some of the greatest machines seen in World championship racing.