South African Short Circuit Series Round 4

Formula K Delivers Some Great Dices...

Race report and photos by Deon vdl Photography.

Tiny riders with massive courage, seasoned racers trading paint and mad motards backing it into corners like their lives depended on it summed up the racing at Round 4 of the SASCS at Formula K. From first-time racers finding their feet to fierce last-lap battles in the main event, the day produced non-stop action across every class.

PW50

The smallest riders on the programme opened the day with heaps of determination.

In Heat 1, only #34 Erik Ferreira and #28 Elaine Opperman lined up on the grid, but the youngsters still put together a spirited race, with Ferreira taking the win ahead of Opperman.

Heat 2 saw newcomer #J203 MJ Schutte join the class for his first-ever circuit race. The youngster impressed immediately, finishing second behind Ferreira, while Opperman secured third.

Ferreira completed a perfect day in Heat 3 with another convincing victory. Schutte once again finished second, with Opperman in third.

Overall Results.

1st #34 Erik Ferreira

2nd #28 Elaine Opperman

3rd #J203 MJ Schutte

SM Junior 50cc & 65cc

In the SM Junior 50cc category, #52 Declan Schoeman and #J203 MJ Schutte took to the grid. Schutte only competed in the opening heat, leaving Schoeman to secure the overall victory.

The SM Junior 65cc class produced some excellent racing throughout the day.

#1 Ethan de Freitas started strongly in Heat 1 and quickly broke clear alongside team-mate #550 Marnitz Otten. De Freitas eventually claimed the win ahead of Otten, while #27 Kiros Taliotes finished third.

Heat 2 saw Taliotes bounce back with a much stronger ride, but De Freitas once again controlled the race at the front. Taliotes crossed the line second, with Otten third.

It looked as though De Freitas was heading for a clean sweep in Heat 3 after another dominant performance, but a 10-second jump-start penalty dropped him to second. That promoted Taliotes to victory, while Otten secured another podium finish in third.

Overall Results.

SM Junior 50cc.

1st #52 Declan Schoeman

SM Junior 65cc.

1st #1 Ethan de Freitas

2nd #27 Kiros Taliotes

3rd #550 Marnitz Otten

150cc Junior & 150cc Senior.

The combined 150cc races were packed with aggression and close racing.

Heat 1 began with #13 Ryan van Nieuwkerk and #57 Diego de Ponte charging into Turn 1 side by side. Van Nieuwkerk edged ahead, while #99 Adam Naidoo joined the fight. Van Nieuwkerk took the victory from Naidoo who took second and De Ponte third.

Naidoo briefly led Heat 2 before Van Nieuwkerk reclaimed the position during the opening lap. Behind them, De Ponte piled on the pressure as Naidoo fought to hold second place. Van Nieuwkerk again took the win ahead of Naidoo and De Ponte.

Heat 3 followed a similar pattern, with Naidoo initially leading before Van Nieuwkerk surged back to the front to secure another victory and the overall win, Naidoo got second and De Ponte third.

Overall Results

150cc Junior.

1st #74 Tristan Andalaft

2nd #40 Lorenzo de Ponte

150cc Senior.

1st #13 Ryan van Nieuwkerk

2nd #99 Adam Naidoo

3rd #57 Diego de Ponte

Clubmans

The Clubmans field brought a proper mix of machinery to the grid, creating an entertaining class packed with different riding styles and bike setups.

#227 Dalmain van Rooyen and #71 Ryno Botha spent most of Heat 1 locked together in a tense battle for victory. Van Rooyen eventually held on to win, with Botha second and #60 Martyn Parry third.

Heat 2 escalated the rivalry even further, with the lead changing hands repeatedly. Then suddenly Van Rooyen disappeared from contention, allowing Botha to take the win ahead of Parry and #69 Neil Heslip.

The final heat continued the fight between Botha and Van Rooyen. A small mistake from Van Rooyen handed Botha the advantage, and this time he made it stick to secure the overall victory.

Overall Results.

1st #71 Ryno Botha

2nd #60 Martyn Parry

3rd #227 Dalmain van Rooyen

Super 600

The Super 600 field wasted no time getting down to business.

#12 Simphiwe Mahlobo grabbed the holeshot in Heat 1, but #57 Diego de Ponte quickly applied pressure. #33 Aston Nesbitt was also right in the mix before technical problems ended his raceday early.

De Ponte seized control and powered to victory ahead of Mahlobo.

The remaining two heats followed much the same pattern, with De Ponte proving untouchable as he completed a flawless day with three wins from three starts. Mahlobo took second.

Overall Results

1st #57 Diego de Ponte

2nd #12 Simphiwe Mahlobo

3rd #33 Aston Nesbitt

Rookie 150cc

#26 Ethan de Freitas secured another pole position and wasted no time turning it into results.

Early in Heat 1, #550 Marnitz Otten crashed heavily, with the bike landing on top of him. Marshals and medics responded immediately and, thankfully, he escaped without serious injury, although his day was over.

De Freitas honoured his team-mate with a composed victory ahead of #17 Liam Bronkhorst and #47 Zian Andalaft.

The next two heats saw De Freitas continue his dominance, completing a clean sweep while Bronkhorst and Andalaft consistently filled the remaining podium places.

Overall Results

1st #26 Ethan de Freitas

2nd #17 Liam Bronkhorst

3rd #47 Zian Andalaft

SM1, SM1S, SM2 & SM Masters

Then it was time for the main event.

Watching a full field of motards charge into the first corner together is enough to raise anyone’s heart rate, but somehow they all emerged cleanly. #13 Ryan van Nieuwkerk led the opening charge as battles exploded throughout the pack.

#1 Aston Nesbitt and #3 Thabang Keswa banged elbows, while the Linders and Wetermans were involved in their own fierce scrap. Van Nieuwkerk took the Heat 1 victory ahead of Keswa and #30 Ruben Weterman.

The action intensified in Heat 2 as riders slid into corners and powered out with front wheels hanging in the air. Van Nieuwkerk once again claimed victory, with Keswa second and Nesbitt third.

The final race of the day somehow managed to become even more dramatic. The battles grew increasingly aggressive as the laps counted down, before Ruben Weterman suffered a heavy crash on the final lap after running slightly too hot out of a corner. Mibern Medics were on the scene immediately and, thankfully, Weterman escaped with only minor injuries.

Up front, Van Nieuwkerk completed a perfect three-from-three performance to stand proudly on the top step of the podium. Keswa took second followed by #33 Mitch Mortimer in third.