The South African Experience by a Magnificent Seven
| Image album thanks to Images thanks to Hieronymus from TNF |
Seven Western Australians joined an international collection of historic motor racing enthusiasts in South Africa for the World Series Formula Junior events over three successive weekends at three race tracks in South Africa. This was supported by Porsche 917’s, Lola T70’s and Ford GT40’s in the Piper Knight rounds from UK, Australia, Germany, Monaco and USA. Four cars from Perth were the Lotus 20/22 FJ and Macon F2 driven by Neil McCrudden, McEntee FJ driven by Lance Carwardine and Chevron F2 driven by Martin Bullock. Local support for them included Mandy McCrudden, Henry Oosterbaan, John Bullock and Sonny Rajah.
The first weekend held at Zwartkops Raceway near Johannesburg between 31st January and 1st February, 2009. Practice went well till Marty stripped the spline out of the clutch plates and had to source replacements and fit them before the racing on Sunday. He did qualify 11th out of 30 in the Macon which Neil took to the lead in the race after two laps only to be shunted later to end up second. In race two from 3rd on the grid Neil soon took the lead for the whole 10 laps with Marty finishing 7th after starting from the rear. The trophy was taken by Neil for that round. Lance had problems with oil in the McEntee’s rear brakes from leaky seals. The FJ’s driven by Lance and Neil jostled for positions in the middle of the field realising that CAMS restrictions on components were not in keeping with those of the FIA.
After repacking the container we all spent 3 great days at Kruger Game Park experiencing something that can only really be appreciated first hand. It’s hard to beat seeing a lion lying on the road minding its own business less than 3 metres away.
Capetown, a picturesque coastal city not unlike Perth was next on the calendar after a short domestic flight from Jo’burg. We were all warmly welcomed at the Killarney track where local knowledge of what part of the track to avoid was a bonus. Unpacking the container was becoming easy and here we were only 5 meters away from it – great location. Practice put Neil in the Macon on pole position with Marty and the Chevron 3rd on the grid. Fast and furious would describe the actions of some of the driving habits on the day as everyone was beginning to understand the driving protocol. The lack of high speed runoff areas didn’t help slow the Macon after Neil braked to avoid a slower car in a 180degree bend sending him off in a slide into the concrete wall. Marty in the Chevron moved well through the field till his gear lever broke. By the last race the Macon became a tourist attraction while Marty drove his Chevron to 2nd spot. Again the FJ’s held their own in the middle of the field. It was apparent that the organisers and fellow South African competitors ran the events in the true spirit of historic racing. Everything was done to help the competitors with the bureaucracy missing through the whole process. The local drivers were extremely courteous and competent and it was a pleasure to run against them. On one occasion, Marty was waved on to the track only to find out he was grided up against GT40s and Cobras. After completing one lap he pulled into the pits where the marshal apologised and said it was great to see the car out there.
Again having packed the container in record breaking time we all took time out to sight-see the town and drive east along the coastal “Garden Route” across the bottom of Africa for approx 1000km to East London. This took 3 days through some beautiful towns with some spectacular coastline views.
The East London Grand Prix circuit comprising of public roads has had precious little upgrades to its facilities since the 1960’s. This was another enlightening drive with its own set of problems including finding racing fuel – BP98 at exorbitant fuel pump price. Views of the Indian Ocean were spectacular to the drivers who feared ending up in it should brakes fail. The clutch in Marty’s Chevron failed again before the end of the day and The McEntee lost it’s gears so could not finish the last race. Neil shared the Lotus with Peter Boel from Queensland who had a severe mechanical failure at Killarney. The Lotus performed well considering it started to rain heavily half way through the race and finished mid field.
The human element has now returned after an exciting time rubbing shoulders with motor racing enthusiasts from all over the world as it should be. The container with the war damaged assets will return later this month with reminders that motorsport at its limit is very precarious.
Many thanks go to the tireless crew who without favour helped keep the machinery running in between chardonnay and cucumber sandwiches. Some of the other drivers would have been so lucky as to have had a support team as organised as we were.
