Midvaal Raceway, south of Johannesburg, hosts the autObarn SuperHatch competitors for the fourth round of their 2018 championship Saturday, 2 June. Approaching the half-way mark of the season, the overall championship is led by Zane van Zyl (Credit Guarantee/Rim Africa VW Golf). He has a six-point lead over Almero van Eck (Nosler VW Polo) who has Louis Scholtz (Car Care Clinic Honda Civic) just a point behind him. Reno van Heerden (KWC VW Polo) is a further four points back with Tony Hyams (Building Code Consultants Ford Fiesta) and Brett Garland (autObarn/Total Honda Civic) hot on his heels.
In class A, Garland leads the way from Jonathan du Toit (Trans Africa Racing Honda Civic) with Werner Pieterse (Scarlet Sun/Valhalla Spares VW Golf), who had engine problems last time out at Zwartkops in third. Andre Dannhauser also had his last outing cut short when the motor in his Pro Auto Rubber/Jetstik Opel Corsa let go, is still in fourth on the log. He has now reverted to his old 1800cc motor for Midvaal. Shaun Smith (Pretoria Noord Toyota/MLT 926 Toyota RunX) and Chris Davidson (Precision Race Technologies Opel Superboss) could be among those fighting for a podium finish.
Van Zyl and Scholtz traded the wins in class B at Zwartkops and should resume their battle at Midvaal. Mel Spurr (G& H Transport/Castrol VW Polo), who had two podium finishes at the last round, will be looking to close the gap to Trevor Stringer (PTM Excellence/Glass National/TMF Peugeot 206), who lies third in the title race. Shane Forget (4Js Auto Opel Cub), Sandro Godinho (Bidvest Panalpina Logistics VW Golf) and Francis Aldrich (Peugeot 206) have all shown that they can run close to the head of the field this season and are likely to do the same at round four.
Van Eck’s record of finishing in first or second place in every race was spoilt in the second heat at Zwartkops when an early accident sidelined him. He, however, still has a five-point lead at the top of the class C log over stablemate van Heerden. They are likely to be front-runners at Midvaal with Tony Hyams (Building Code Consultants Ford Fiesta), who had two podium finishes at Zwartkops likely to join them. Robert Stoltz (Jetstik/Episerve Opel Kadett), Craig Priestley (Tactical Fluid Ford Laser) and Juan van der Walt (Building Code Consultants Ford Fiesta) should also be in the mix.
As usual, Friday will be taken up with practice sessions before the serious business gets underway on Saturday. The 10-minute qualifying session gets underway at 07h45 with the opening 10 lap race scheduled for 10h20. The lights should go out to signal the start of race 2, also a 10-lap affair, at 13h50.