Gauteng gears up for a scorching weekend of track action as the South African Endurance Championship Connected by Vodacom 4U reignites at the legendary Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit this coming Thursday, 25 July. This marks the first of three Gauteng showdowns, promising to heat up the winter months.
All eyes are on the Into Africa Racing Lamborghini crew of Xolile Letlaka and Stuart White, current championship leaders following wins in Gqeberha and Cape Town. They welcome back Axcil Jefferies, whose determined drive at Killarney – including recovering from a late puncture and pit stop – sealed their last victory. Their brand-new Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo 2 makes its Gauteng debut as they aim to defend their national title.
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Hot on their heels is the Adjust for Sleep/Rico Barlow Racing Nova Proto NP02. Drivers Nick Adcock (returning after European Le Mans duties) and Michael Jensen (back from preparing for Le Mans 24-Hour) join local star Charl Michael Visser. Their combined international and local experience makes them formidable contenders.
Stradale Motorsport fields an Audi R8 LMS Evo for the potent pairing of multiple saloon car champ Bradley Liebenberg and rising talent Ryan Naicker. Liebenberg secured a podium in Cape Town, while Naicker brings winning experience from the season opener. Watch too for Marius Jackson’s MJR Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 R, now piloted by Jackson and his young charge Joseph Ellerine, fresh from competition in Germany’s ADAC GT4 series.
Adding serious intrigue is the return of the Lategan family. Hein Lategan, back after focusing on business, teams up with his son Henk – the four-time SA Rally-Raid champ and recent World Rally-Raid round winner – in their BBR Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. Henk Jr has already shown impressive pace on tarmac.
Class battles promise fireworks. In Class B, the powerful Australian-built Ford Mustang IRC (550hp V8) driven by Julian Familiaris, Franco di Matteo, and Romano Sartori, faces the G&H Transport Audi R8 GT4 of Ricky and Gianni Giannoccaro with Ant Blunden. The Giannoccaro team seeks redemption after a promising Cape Town run ended early. Class C is a Volkswagen duel: the Graphix Supply World Polo SupaCup (Robert and David Franco) versus the Hisense-backed Korridas Racing Golf GTi Turbo from Mozambique (Bruno Campos, Sandro Alves, Mauro Almeida, Mario Barbosa).
The V8 Roadster class sees Harm and Barend Pretorius (Team Pesty Backdraft) as strong favourites after their double-points Killarney win propelled them to the championship lead, especially with rivals absent.
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1-Hour Dash.
Damien Hammond (Liqui Moly/Samlin Lamborghini) leads after two consecutive wins, but Andrew Horne (Xena Chemicals Ligier-Honda) is just a single point behind. Antonie Marx (Shelby CanAm) seeks another podium, while Charl Arangies in the potent Vaal Fluid Systems Porsche 911 GT3 R could shake things up. Porsche entries from Mo Mia and Roy Obery (Haval Edenvale), plus Wayne Roach’s Lamborghini Gallardo, ensure a fiercely competitive dash.
Gates Open, Action Starts:
- Practice: Thursday afternoon and Friday (08h00 & 10h45)
- Qualifying: Friday, 13h45
- Raceday: Saturday, Four-Hours of Kyalami green flag at 13h00 (including the 1-Hour Dash).
Join the Action:
General access tickets are R250 (kids under 12 free). Bring your gazebo, gas braai, cooler box, and park around the circuit. For the full experience, VIP tickets (R650) include food and drink vouchers, a grid walk, dedicated seating, and a private cash bar. Grab tickets at www.saeseries.com. Don’t miss the winter racing spectacle at Kyalami!
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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