The 2012 Pro Tour will visit South Africa's fastest race circuit this weekend. The occasion will be round two of the national series at the East London Grand Prix circuit.
GT CHALLENGE
The German and Italian sports cars will be out in full force on Saturday, with an entry list that includes Vernon Bricknell in his Porsche RSR, Rod Cole-Edwardes (Porsche 993 GT2), Andrew Culbert (Porsche GT3 Cup) Nicky Dicks (Ferrari 430), Kris Budnick (BMW M3), Charl Arangies (Ferrari 360), Sun Moodley (Porsche GT3) and Christo Lotter (Noble).
SHELBY CAN AM
Equally spectacular racing is expected from the Shelby Can Am sports cars, with a dozen of the winged, slick-tyred vehicles on the starting grid. Experts expect the Shelby cars to top 260km/h down East London's long straight and through South Africa's fastest racetrack corner, the fearsome Rifle Range bend.
Facing this prospect as the man to beat should be defending South African champion Rui Campos in his Q8 Oils Hollard Shelby. His closest adversaries will include people like Thomas Reib, Brian Algar, Andrew Strike and veteran Alan Eve.
FORMULA VEE
The Tennant Life Benefits Formula Vee category should bring some 20 cars to the East London grid, with slip-streaming battles throughout the field very much a part of the show.
Victory favourites should be Peter Hills, Alan Holm, Jaco Schriks and Greg Wilson. Others to watch will be Gareth Jackson, Symm Grobler, Nicholas Tennant, Christopher Shorter, Shannay Bhemnarayan and Henk Swanepoel.
KAWASAKI MASTERS CUP
The Red Square Kawasaki ZX10R Masters Cup field should lap the East London circuit at an average speed of over 170km/h, with velocities of over 270km/h the norm in the straight.
Heading the large field will be former SA Superbike champion Stewart Macleod, chased by the likes of Brian Bontekoning, Pieter de Vos, Joe Shearer and Paul Jacobs. Newcomer Wayne Thomas could surprise, as could Johan le Roux, Raymond Keel and Sid Farinha.
MORE CHALLENGERS
The Regional championship Goldwagen Challenge should field some 40 cars at East London, divided into four classes, while the GT Classic category is expected to see numerous Porsche drivers fighting for positions.
BE THERE BY TEN
The East London circuit gates will be open from 7.30 am on Saturday, with racing scheduled to kick off at 10am. R50.00 (or R20.00 if you're a scholar) gets you through the gate while parking is plentiful and free.