Competition in the Formula Volkswagen series was fast-paced with the frontrunners showing just how intense racing can be in this single-seater category at Kyalami on Saturday 20 February. The event was round one of the national WesBank Super Series.
Simon Moss (38) in his Southern Sun / Oakley car and Wesleigh Orr (2) in the Teugue Distributors / Bravo Racing car have clearly set the pace – and the standard – for 2010 and will be a tough act to follow this season. From the outset they have shown the series to be all about pace and dedication – with a solid dose of experience ensuring success.
In race one the pair duelled throughout the 10 lap race and it appeared as if Orr, who is currently karting professionally in Europe, was simply waiting for Moss to make a mistake he could capitalise on. This happened during the closing stages when Moss ran wide a few times, allowing Orr to close the gap and blast past for victory – by a margin of just 0.225 seconds.
After the race it transpired that Orr had, rather than been waiting for Moss to make a mistake, instead been hard-pressed to keep up. The mistakes made were just what he needed though and a gift that certainly was accepted.
The second race shaped up to be a similar affair with Moss again leading the field around the track and Orr in hot pursuit. Right from the outset the challenge was on as Moss immediately made a move on pole man Orr and Tasmin Pepper (31) in the PG Glass / Plastomark / VW Racing car was attempting a similar challenge from the other side.
The trio all headed into the first corner side-by-side. Despite the expectations of carnage, the duel was kept tidy and the race got off to a close but clean start.
Things quickly settled into a one-two battle up front with Pepper having to fight off Caleb Williams (77) in the Signkor entry for third place. Williams refused to be denied and made the passing manoeuvre stick – but not before Pepper had made him work for it. To get to the final podium spot Williams had to make sure he was the fastest driver on track at the time.
There are four newcomers to the series who wet their feet in this national series at Kyalami. They are Caleb Williams (77) in the Signor entry – who was crowned the world DD2 karting champion in Egypt in December, Daniel Rowe (27), Ernie van der Walt (95) in the Dixon Batteries entry and Chad van Beurden (16) in the Beurden Construction entry.
Williams proved the most successful newcomer on the day finishing in fourth overall thanks to a fourth in race one and third in race two. Right behind him on the scoreboard was Rowe in fifth spot overall with Van der Walt and Van Beurden in seventh and eighth respectively.
Three of these new drivers are 16 with Williams a year older at 17. There were tense moments for the Formula Volkswagen drivers Rowe, Van Beurden and Bezuidenhout when they spun out – each in separate incidents. None of these proved particularly punishing but Rowe did the most to repair his chances, fighting back to finish sixth from the back of the field.
The Formula Volkswagen competitors will next compete in Cape Town at round two of the WesBank Super Series which takes place on Saturday, 13 March. Here these single-seater racers will again be setting fast laptimes and working hard to achieve the perfect balance between downforce and top speed.
Top three results for the day:
Race 1:
Wesleigh Orr – (2) – Teugue Distributors / Bravo Holdings
Simon Moss – (38) – Southern Sun / Dixon Batteries
Tasmin Pepper – (31) – PG Glass / Plastomark / VW Racing
Race 2:
Simon Moss – (38) – Southern Sun / Dixon Batteries
Wesleigh Orr – (2) – Teugue Distributors / Bravo Holdings
Caleb Williams – (77) – Signkor
Overall:
Simon Moss – (38) – Southern Sun / Dixon Batteries
Wesleigh Orr – (2) – Teugue Distributors / Bravo Holdings
Tasmin Pepper – (31) – PG Glass / Plastomark / VW Racing
