The entry list for the international Passion for Speed at Killarney International Raceway on Saturday February 8 features a number of big-engined V8 monsters from the golden era of sports-car racing in South Africa, as well as some of the fastest sports and GT cars currently dominating the South African Endurance Series.
Topping the contenders for the headline race of the day, the 45- minute SA TT for Pre 66/68 Le Mans Sports and GT cars, are father and daughter Peter and Paige Lindenberg, sharing a Shelby Daytona Coupé, and brothers Mark and Jonathan du Toit, in a Lola T70 Spider and a Daytona respectively.
The thundering seven-litre Ford-powered Daytona was developed from the AC Cobra by Pete Brock specifically to win the World GT Championship, which it did in 1964 much to Enzo Ferrari’s annoyance, while the Spyder is the open-topped earlier version of what later became the iconic Lola T70 coupé, usually powered by a five-litre Chev V8.
Du Toit’s T70 is a replica of Doug Serrurier’s 1965 example, which he famously campaigned under the Wall’s Ice Cream banner.
Keeping them honest will be Colin Ellison in a Chevron B19, Peter van der Spuy (1972 Porsche Carrera 911 RSRT), Djurk Venter and James Temple (Daytona), Swedish drivers Brent Anderson (Lola T212), Kennet Persson and Janne King, each in a Ford GT40, and Dutch crew Michiel Campagnie and Frans van der Maarschalkerwaart in a 1964 Chev Corvette.
If anybody is going to give these big dogs a run for their money, however, it’s Kobus Brits in his Porsche 911R and Christer Pernwal from Sweden in a classic Porsche 1966 911.
The Du Toits are also V8-powered for the Legends of the 9 Hour and Little Giants races, supported by the local heroes of the Bejo Trustees Fine Cars, with Mark in a Ford Fairlane and Jonathan in a Chevy Nova – proof that sibling rivalry is alive and well and living at Killarney.
Peter Lindenberg has entered a Ford Mustang, and his daughter Paige will be at the helm of a Ford Galaxie, as will Colin Ellison.
Among the entries for Millstock Cars Pre 1980 Pre 1990 Classics are Franco Donadio’s all-conquering Ford Escort Mk1 and Charles Arton’s immaculately prepared Datsun 240Z.
The bumper programme of 17 races also includes Historic Single Seaters as well as Powersports, Clubman and Classic motorcycles. Gates open at 7am, and racing begins at 9.30am.
Book at Computicket or pay at the gate.
Tickets cost R90 for adults, R40 for pupils under 16 and children under 12 enter free.