Investchem Formula 1600 rookie Mikel Bezuidenhout will take to the East London Grand Prix Circuit for the first time this weekend, adding to his already challenging debut this season. The Investchem Formula 1600 class, South Africa’s premier single-seater competition, sees the champion walk away with R200 000 cash prize and a South African Touring Car test drive for the winner. At the same time, the runner-up takes home R100 000 and the third-placed driver, R50 000.
This will be the fifth round of the season and the second visit to the Eastern Cape, following the previous round held in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). While currently ranked ninth, Bezuidenhout, who competes in his Huawei Mobile South Africa / MTN Cosmo-Net-backed Mygale, is the second-highest-placed rookie and has a best result of fifth.
With historical roots, the circuit, formerly known as the Prince George Circuit, underwent several redesigns over numerous decades and shortened from its original 24.461 km to become what we know today as the East London Grand Prix Circuit. Modified to meet Formula One regulations in 1959, the circuit was built into a seaside amphitheatre with a length of 3.92 km. It hosted three rounds of the South African Grand Prix in the 1960s before the race was moved to Kyalami. Home to South African Motorsport’s fastest bend (Potter’s Pass Curve), the circuit will again be a hive of activity this weekend as spectators support the National Extreme Festival tour.
“It’s been quite a daunting debut season and this weekend will be the last time I visit a circuit for the first time having already been to some of the other circuits that remain as part of the championship. Fridays are always crucial to learning both the circuit and how the car behaves, so our focus will be on getting the best out of the sessions available to us. Thank you to the team and to my sponsors for making it all possible.”
Spectators can purchase tickets at the circuit entrance on Saturday, 27 July. Tickets are R100.00 per person, and children under 12 enter for free. The entire race day programme will also be broadcast live on https://extremefestival.co.za/live/.
Published by: Motorsport Fanatix
Picture Caption: Mikel Bezuidenhout
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