VSP Sports Cars at Kyalami
 20 May 2002

The VSPs first race at Kyalami delivered the same standard of exciting racing. It was close, it was furious and it was personal. 

George Ferriera (PAK 2000) returned, having missed the last pound in EL to find that there was his old nemesis, Bernard Tilanus (Platinum Asset Management) on the pace and the new youngster, Melvill Priest (Caltex) sitting on pole! The first heat was a tight start with Dr Francois Gerber (Tool Shop) making the best of the start and Tilanus hooked third in stead of first coming out of Panasonic, this meant that he fell back into the clutches of Donavon Roscoe (Optimum Racing Development). At the front George settled in behind Melvill and waited. Tilanus, having got the wake up call, went on to set fastest lap and a new lap record in the Nissan. He took Francois and set after the leading pair. On lap 6 of eight, going into bungie George dived inside Melvill, and got to the front, Bernard followed him through a lap later into the Esses, and set off after George, won hung on to win race 1. There were so many fights down the field that at on most laps there were 5 cars jockeying for position coming onto the pit straight. Personal duels were the order of the day. Some of these were epitomised by the Attieh (SmartCall), Wood (DigiDoor) duel that fell to Attieh (SmartCall) by .1 of a second after a race long duel. 

Tilanus (Platinum Asset Management), was very wound up for race 2 as ringing in his ears were the words George had said to him “I am back.” So Tilanus tucked in behind Ferriera for the first few laps and slowly exerted the pressure, it inexorably built up till the error from George happened. Bernard pounced going into the bowl, and secured the win, despite a stiffening gearbox, George tried gamely to overtake Bernard, but to no avail. He was followed by Melvill Priest, who is really starting to show the form that he has previously only been able to do in qualifying. As usual there were vigorous fighting for the minor places.

It is very pleasing to note that 19 cars started the event and 19 cars finished. 

Overall Results; 1st George Ferriera (PAK 2000), 2^nd Bernard Tilanus (Platinum Asset Management), 3rd Melvill Priest (Caltex)

Points Position after Kyalami. 1^st BGT 120 (Platinum Asset Management), 2^nd Neil Lobb 102 (DK Woodcraft), 3^rd Donovan Roscoe (Optimum Racing Development) 90.