Zwartkops Raceway will play host to the final round of the 2018 autObarn SuperHatch championship on Saturday, 10 November. While the class titles have largely been decided, there is still some competition for the overall championship.
Louis Scholtz (Car Care Clinic Honda Civic) has had a great run since the middle of the season, finishing on the podium in every race and winning seven of the last nine races. This has given him a 14-point lead at the top of the overall championship standings over Almero van Eck (Monster VW Polo). Zane van Zyl (Credit Guarantee VW Golf), who had a great start to the season, but who has been plagued by mechanical issues in the last couple of rounds, is in third place, 19 points behind van Eck. Van Zyl will have to hope he has sorted those problems out if he wants to retain his third place in the championship; Reno van Heerden (Monster VW Polo) is only three points adrift with Brett Garland (autObarn/Total Honda Civic) two points further back. Mel Spurr (G& H Transport/Wealth Avenue/Castrol VW Polo) has had a string of podium finishes which have moved her up into sixth place in the overall standings.
In class A, Garland needs just a single point to secure the 2018 title from Jonathan du Toit (Trans Africa Racing Honda Civic). Du Toit will need to continue his run of good form at his home track to ensure that he remains in second in the Class A championship, Andre Dannhauser (Pro Auto Rubber/Jetstik Opel Corsa) is just three points behind him in third. Chris Davison (HIMOINSA Southern Africa Opel Superboss) has had mixed fortunes this season, gearbox problems spoiling his last outing at Zwartkops after a great win in the Phakisa 200, but remains in fourth place ahead of Nic Martin (Rex Diff & Gearbox Opel Kadett) and Tyler Scott (Jestik/Episerve/EBC/Lopec Opel Kadett), who are in a tie for fifth. Others who will be looking to score points on Saturday include Shaun Smith (Pretoria Noord Toyota RunX), Floris Stopforth (VW Polo) and Lucas Bezuidenhout (Pretoria Noord Toyota Etios).
While Scholtz has secured the class B title, that won’t stop a host of drivers challenging him for the top spot. Van Zyl is likely to end up in second, although if his bad luck, and Spurr’s run of good form, continue there is a chance that they could swap positions. Behind the leading trio, only six points separate the next four drivers. Trevor Stringer (Citrine Designs/PTM Excellence Peugeot 206) and Shane Forget (4J’s Auto Opel Cub) are tied for fourth with Alex Marques (Ace Auto VW Polo) four points back in sixth. Raais Asmal (Volkswagen Motorsport Polo), who only joined the series part way through the season, is two points behind Marques in seventh. Wouter Roos (Nathan’s Motorsport Polo) can never be ruled out when it comes to the fight for podium positions while Ishmael Baloyi (Trans Africa Racing Honda Civic), Terrance Khalo (Trans Africa Racing VW Golf) and Donovan le Roux (Honda Civic) will all be looking for points-paying finishes.
Van Eck wrapped up the class C title last time out, but he will want to go out on a high with another double win. Out to stop him will be stablemate van Heerden and Robert Stoltz (Episerve/Jestick/Lopec Opel Kadett) who are in second and third in the championship standings. Behind them, Freddy Watkins (VW Polo), Craig Priestley (Tactical Fluid Ford Laser) and Tony Hyams (Building Code Consultants Ford Fiesta) and in a battle for fourth, separated by just six points. Rudi Kronstrom (Goldwagen Krugersdorp VW Golf) Had a great debut at Phakisa, winning class C in the 200, but mechanical gremlins prevented a repeat performance last time out. He will be looking to get back to winning ways. Marius Rossouw (Building Code Consultants/Ilanga Signs/CW Motorsport Opel Corsa), Juan van der Walt Hyams (Building Code Consultants Ford Fiesta) and Matt Cohen (BHIT/Dunlop VW Polo) should also be in the mix.
In addition to the regular SuperHatch drivers, the mechanics and technicians who keep the VW Motorsport cars on the track all season will also be out in a fleet of Volkswagen Polos. Michael Allers will be looking to get the better of Wesley Rautenbach, Dean Jeffrey, Chris Stolle and Steven Green.
Qualifying, with the bonus point for the drivers that emerge at the top of each class, gets underway Saturday morning after Friday’s practice sessions. The 20-minute showdown gets underway at 10h30 with the first of the 8-lap races scheduled to begin at 13h55. Race 2 will bring the day’s events to a close. It should start at 17h00.