Photos by Lawrence Paiken – FatBoy Photography.
The MRSSA circus made its way to Aldo Scribante Race Circuit in Gqeberha on the 5th of April for Round 2, once again joining the SAES, The South African Endurance Series, Car Racing. The riders were lucky enough to have a dry, sunny raceday.
By: Deon VDL.
600cc SBK, 1000cc SBK, BOTTS & Masters.
(Combines Report)
Race 1.
After their qualifying run of 19 bikes, #1 Adolf Boshoff claimed pole position. He was joined on the front row by #13 Dino Iozzo and #50 young Tristan Pienaar.
A great start from Iozzo saw him take an early lead. He carried a pace that could not be matched and crossed the line for a comfortable win. Boshoff took 2nd place with #88 Damion Purificati in 3rd.
Race 2.
The race started off well but, coming out of the last corner on lap two, #13 Ryan van Nieuwkerk lost control of his bike and crashed taking out Iozzo in the process, Van Nieuwkerk’s bike caught on fire and the race was red flagged. The marshals were on the scene in a blink of an eye and got the fire out and cleaned up the circuit, Ryan was very fortunate to walk away from the crash with minor scrapes and bruises.
The racers then took their positions on the grid. Unfazed by the crash Iozzo still managed to claim 1st. Purificati finished 2nd with #26 Oratilwe Phiri in 3rd.
Overall Results.
600cc SBK.
1st #26 Oratilwe Phiri
2nd #171 Taigh Janse van Rensburg
3rd #52 Troy Tonking
1000cc SBK.
1st #13 Dino Iozzo
2nd #88 Damion Purificati
3rd #50 Tristan Pienaar
Masters.
1st #43 Jaco Gous
2nd #811 Robert Ferreira
3rd #888 Derek Jacobs
BOTTS.
1st #45 Leon Horn
2nd #46 Alan Hulscher
3rd #72 Mick Landi
Classics, GSX-8R & Sub 500.
(Combined Report)
Race 1.
The top three riders after qualifying were #50 Tristan Pienaar on Pole, #65 Jamie Hall and #163 Wessel Kruger.
The Suzuki GSX-8R Racing is a new race class that’s set to grow in the upcoming rounds.
Pienaar was the only rider in this new class as he showed everyone just what the bike can do out on track.
The chequered flag came out and Pienaar took it. Hall took 2nd and #91 Fergal McAdam just took 3rd place with Kruger following very shortly in 4th.
Race 2.
With another great start from Pienaar it was clear that the GSX-8R was just too quick for the classic bikes. Pienaar crossed the line in 1st place with Hall in the 2nd spot. McAdam and Kruger again battled for the final spot on the podium. They came around the last corner and it was a mad dash for the finish line with Kruger clinching 3rd with McAdam in a very close 4th.
Overall Results.
GSX-8R Cup.
#50 Tristan Pienaar
Classics.
1st #65 Jamie Hall
2nd #163 Wessel Kruger
3rd #91 Fergal McAdam
Sub500.
1st #74 Tristan Henning
Open Superbikes & Unlimited 1000.
(Combined Report)
Race 1.
24 bikes that lined up on the grid, but the race did not go quite as planned.
#6 Malcolm Govender went down which led to a red flag and the race was restarted. Out in front #84 Cristian Caravello kept a steady pace that took him over the line for the win. #211 Nicole Purificati and #117 Dave Veringa rubbed elbows as they boxed for second. Purificati snatched 2nd place with Veringa right beside her in 3rd.
Three other bikes crossed the line within 0.322 sec of each other. #15 James Barson in 4th, #19 Siya Tshabalala in 5th and #110 Jordan King in 6th place.
Race 2, the last race of the day was another nail biter as Caravello had his hands full trying to fend off Barson.
The two riders gave it their all to the finish. In the end Caravello managed to secure the win with Barson not far behind in 2nd. Veringa finished in 3rd place.
A couple of the battles in the last race made for some great entertainment.
Overall Results.
Open Superbikes.
1st #27 Clive Turnbull
2nd #12 Simphiwe Mahlobo
3rd #2 Nkululeko Majola
Unlimited 1000.
1st #84 Cristian Caravello
2nd #117 Dave Veringa
3rd #211 Nicole Purificati
It was most definitely a day of thrills and spills, SA Racing is alive and kicking….
Round 3 of the MRSSA series will take place at Killarney International Raceway in Cape Town on the 7th of June.
