|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ABOUT | DRIVERS | DATES | CIRCUITS | NEWS | REPORTS | POINTS | CONTACTS |
The Engen Polo Classic Cup lived up to its reputation as being a tough battleground with the opening round at Kyalami today. Derrick Irving won both heats in convincing style, never relinquishing the lead from start to finish in both races. Thirty-three year old Ian Pepper continued on his good form from posting the fastest time in qualifying yesterday by taking second places in both heats.
In the second heat of the Engen Polo Classic Cup challenge at
Kyalami this afternoon Derrick Irving repeated his performance
of the morning by winning in convincing fashion. Ian Pepper again
took the second sport, with Marthinus Briers finishing a close
third. The race was a terrific battle between these three seasoned
veterans, who gave each other no inch in pursuit of victory. Pepper,
who had a bad start after dropping from second on the grid to
third, took Hennie Groenewald on lap two. Marthinus Briers soon
followed Pepper's move and took third place from a disillusioned
Groenewald.
Ferdi de Vos, Beeld's motoring editor who did not finish heat
one due to alternator problems, had a terrific race, moving up
ten positions from last on the grid to twentieth by lap two. On
lap four a terrific battle ensued between Star motoring editor
Denis Droppa, who was in 17th position, and de Vos, who had improved
a further two places. With Marco Dos Santos joining the fray between
the two media men, Droppa skidded off the track at Sunset corner.
Irving again finished first, taking maximum points for the day, followed by pepper in second, Briers in third, Reghard Roets in fourth, Groenewald in fifth and Basil Mann in sixth position.
In the first heat of the Engen Polo Classic Cup this morning 43-year
old Derrick Irving took the chequered flag in an exciting race.
Irving, a former karting champion, showed his experience by leading
the race from the start. Mark de Nobrega, who had pole position
due to a new lucky draw system, could not capitalise on his position
and dropped back. Hennie Groenewald passed de Nobrega on lap two,
and a determined Ian Pepper, who had qualified fastest in final
qualifying yesterday, started to haul in the front of the field
from his original sixth starting position.
Irving built up a considerable lead from the rest of the chasing
pack, and maintained a four second lead for most of the race.
Ian Pepper however drove like a man possessed, and by lap four
had caught up to second place. Pepper then closed the gap to three
seconds, but Irving was determined not to let go of his lead.
There was a tight battle for third place with Marthinus Briers
challenging for Hennie Groenewald for third position, but the
Groenewald maintained his place.
Irving comfortably won the race, followed by Pepper, Groenewald,
Briers, Reghard Roets (who had started the race in 18th position),
and Jorg Eckman in sixth position. Journalist Denis Droppa had
a great race and finished twentieth after making up eleven places
from last on the grid.
RESULTS:
HEAT ONE
1. DERICK IRVING
2. IAN PEPPER
3. HENNIE GROENEWALD
4. MARTHINUS BRIERS
5. REGHARD ROETS
6. JORG ECKMAN
HEAT TWO:
1. DERICK IRVING
2. IAN PEPPER
3. MARTHINUS BRIERS
4. REGHARD ROETS
5. HENNIE GROENEWALD
6. BASIL MANN
About Polo Cup - News - Drivers - Calender - Race reports - Points - Circuits - Series sponsors - Links
|
