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Garth Waberski and Neil Lobb each scored a win
in a dramatic third round
Vodacom Sports Prototype championship, but that does not tell the story of
the race meeting.
As is the norm with this Nissan V6 powered series where all cars are
identical, even to the point where all are shod with state of the art
Goodyear rubber, the racing was superb and highlighted just how
competitive
motorsport is these days.
Friday’s qualifying saw Waberski claim the all important pole position in
his Dache Imports car with championship leader Francois Gerber alongside
in
the Autohaus Paint and Panel version. Reigning champion Neil Lobb (DK
Woodcraft) worked hard finding the right set up and headed row two from
Dave
Beattie. Next up were Alan Green (DK Office Furniture) and Donovan Roscoe
(Protea Playing Cards).
Waberski grabbed the advantage at the start, but Roscoe went wide exiting
turn two and was collected solidly by Colin Frost (Strocam), who in turn
hit
Jonathan Finch (S21). All in all four cars were involved and the race was
stopped while the wreckage was cleared. Frost and Finch suffered most
damage
and along with Wood were out for the day.
There was more drama on the warm-up lap of the restart when Terry Voller
(Boltt) came to a standstill at the chicane with a gearbox problem and the
race started as the safety car was deployed.
Racing resumed on lap 2 and Waberski led from Lobb and Gerber. The first
two
having a good scrap before finishing in that order despite Lobb having to
hold the car in second gear. Gerber claimed third ahead of Beattie and
Alan
Eve (Powerseal Gaskets). Green ran out of petrol on the final tour while
heading for his best ever finish, so sixth went to Clive Kennerley
(Standox).
Race two started with Waberski leading from Lobb, but within a two laps
the
pair were trading paint as they swapped places at every available
opportunity. Further back, Beattie threw away his hopes with a wild spin
at
Wesbank on the opening lap.
This time Waberski had gear selection problems and eventually dropped off
the pace which allowed the ever consistent Gerber to take second on the
last
lap while Waberski claimed third. Fourth went to Eve with Green not
running
dry and taking fifth ahead Beattie after passing Ruan Pretorius (Nusol/John
Abbot Motorsport) near the end. |