VSP Report on Cape Town - by Neville Jordan
- 18 March 2002
Killarney, Cape Town on 16 March heralded the start of the 2002 VSP championship. It was not only the start of a new season but also the 1st race with Nissan powerplants. This engine upgrade has been an enormous task and one which was under estimated. It is a tribute to the competitors in pulling it off and to DAW in installing the units. Not all the cars were completed on time which was unfortunate however on anyone's assessment of the race weekend it is clear that this is a major step in the right direction. The pits were virtually devoid of mechanical reworks and mechanics were left to chase the local talent.

Friday evening saw a deserted VSP pit lane which was in sharp contrast to previous races. The cars are also great to drive, so much so that one competitor was apprehended for breaking down the gates to get into the circuit on Friday  morning to drive before the organisers had woken up.

Practise and qualifying went off with virtually no mechanical problems and the cars looked really fast and were very loud indeed. It was expected that George Ferreira would be the pacesetter but that honour fell to Francois Gerber. There were half a dozen contenders for pole with the rest of the grid not far behind, clearly we were in for a close race.

Before reporting on the race a mention of the spectators at the circuit bears mentioning. I can't remember the last time I saw spectators camping at a race circuit on the Friday night to ensure their place at the fence on Saturday! They were not disappointed. Killarney had a sell-out by 9am Saturday.

Heat 1
There was a real messy start with Gerber breaking his gear linkage at the start whilst on pole and the other lane rocketing away. It was really close upfront between seven cars and it literally had the crowd on their feet. Alas, it had to end in tears as Roscoe and Eve tangled at the end of the straight. A tractor was dispatched to recover Eve's car which was buried in, what seemed to be at the base of Table mountain. Tilanus won which was nice for his new sponsor; Platinum Asset Group followed by Ferreira and Lobb who had come from way back. Attieh was fourth which place he makes a habit of in Cape Town.

Heat 2
Well if you expected a more orderly start think again! I started 6th and had a kamikaze Frost pass me into the first corner and nothing in my mirrors! Gerber, Eve and a luckless Richard Wood had a big coming together under the bridge which eliminated them instantly. Once again there was a terrific scrap upfront with no less than 4 different leaders. Honours went to Donovan Roscoe in a drive which if his mother saw would rightfully stop him racing again. Ferreira followed him home with Lobb breathing down his exhaust and Attieh claiming his customary fourth. Many people commented that this was the best VSP race ever! Whether or not  you agree, it certainly was a great race, and argues well for future VSP events.
From a cockpit view #082