ZWARTKOPS INTERNATIONAL WORLD OF MOTORING SET FOR INAUGURAL TOP OF THE HILL CHALLENGE

The Zwartkops International World of Motoring is ready to start writing the next chapter in its rich South African motorsport legacy with the first 2000m Top of the Hill Challenge this coming weekend (4-5 October).

Having established itself as the home of spectacular circuit racing in the country through events such as the annual Passion for Speed and the Extreme Festival Tour, the venue has its sights set on another addition to its motorsport activities. While the time-attack format is not new to motorsport, with established events locally and abroad already headlining calendars, this will be the first event of this magnitude held in South Africa using a purpose-built race circuit.

However, familiarity with the Zwartkops Raceway layout will hardly be advantageous this coming weekend. The 2.0-kilometre course will see entrants compete on the anti-clockwise orientation of the 2.4-kilometre circuit. Runs will start at what is traditionally called Turn 4 and finish after the fifth corner, the circuit’s highest point. This will see competitors negotiate the Turn 3 sweep before heading into the Turn 2 hairpin. From there, they will speed up and navigate the blind rise at Turn 1 before passing the traditional start/finish line toward Turn 8. From here, it will become more technical with the Turn 7 kink, before two left-hand corners at Turns 6 & 5, before crossing the finish line.

In preparation for the event, July saw a Classic Top of the Hill Challenge hosted at the circuit. Won by Warren Lombard, this event also provided the organisers with a solid trial to streamline all aspects, ensuring that those attending this weekend’s main event can be guaranteed top-class entertainment.

Earmarked as the ultimate challenge for all internal combustion engine-driven and electric vehicles, the Top of the Hill Challenge will see a host of classes incorporating historic, standard production, racing, sports cars, and single-seaters. Seeding for the various class titles will be determined through six single-run qualifying sessions before the Class Finals. The five top-ten shootouts will follow, which will determine the Top of the Hill winners for 2024 will be determined.

Lombard (PepBoys Automotive 1965 Ford Cobra) will be one of the top contenders for the Classic Conquerer title, following his before-mentioned success at the curtain-raiser. He will compete against a host of seasoned campaigners in this format, with the likes of James Temple (Lindenberg Racing 1965 Shelby Daytona Coupe), Paige Lindenberg (Lindenberg Racing 1968 Ford Fairlane), Ian Schofield (Investchem 1977 March 77B) all in contention. Trans Africa Racing will also field a host of campaigners for this title. Their team consist of Jonathan du Toit (1967 Ford Cougar), with Ismael Baloyi (1956 Noddy Metropolitan), John Ten Doeschate (1974 Marauder), Lee Thompson (1967 Chevrolet Camaro), Seef Fourie (1963 Ford Daytona), Alan Meyer (1960 Studebaker Lark), and Mark du Toit, who will pilot both the 1964 Ford Fairlane and 1995 Opel Astra from the stable.

The Road car/Supercar title will see the likes of Courtney Nicholl (Mercedes-Benz South Africa CLA 45 AMG), Joshua O’Callaghan (Team Shelby Ford Shelby Supersnake), Vinesh Padayachy (Team Shelby Ford Shelby Supersnake), and Vic Campher (Tom Campher Volvo EX30) as some of the contenders.

The Modified Production Car honours will see fierce competition from a host of competitors, with nearly all of the field having experience in this format. Franco Scribante (Nissan GTR R35), Reghard Roets (BB Motorsport Nissan GTR R35), Pieter Zeelie (Zeelie Auditors Toyota MR2), Dawie Joubert (Wild Rose Gin Lotus Exige), Clare Vale (Wynns Oil SA Subaru BRZ), and Jonathan Mogotsi (VW Motorsport Polo GTi) will be just some of those competing for the title.

For the Single Seater/Sportscar title, André Bezuidenhout (Weltevreden – Stellenbosch Gould GR55) will compete against the likes of Josef Kotze (Top Products Birkin S3), Renzo Ribeiro (Metal Used Spares VW GTi Swift), and JM Gerber (Van Diemen Formula M).
Volkswagen Motorsport South Africa’s campaign will not be limited to their entry with Mogotsi. The VW Rookie Cup, launched in 2023, has become one of the premier series for race driver development in South Africa. 2024 Championship contenders Uzair Khan, Josh Moore, Judd Bertholdt, and Dhivyen Naidoo will compete for honours in the VW Rookie Cup Shootout. In addition, the event will also see them host a media challenge in association with Dunlop Tyres. Jeanette Kritzinger, Brendon Staniforth, Rebaneilwe Semakane, and Fanele Bhengu will compete for honours here. All these Volkswagen Motorsport South Africa entrants will compete in similar Volkswagen Polo Vivo GT cars.

The event will run over two days, with Practice and the first Qualifiers on Friday. Qualifying will conclude on Saturday morning, followed by the Finals. With spectator satisfaction always being a core consideration when putting together an event at Zwartkops Raceway, fans will be able to braai on the grass embankments around the circuit. There will also be a host of food and beverage vendors on the premises and other forms of family entertainment.

Spectators ‘ tickets are R150 for both days per adult, with children under 12 years of age entering for free, and can be purchased at the Zwartkops International World of Motoring entrance gate on the event days or beforehand from the office by contacting them on 012 384 2299 or info@zwartkops.co.za.

Further information regarding the event will be communicated via the official Zwartkops Raceway Facebook and Instagram accounts in the following days.

Issued by Brandsponential on behalf of Zwartkops International World of Motoring

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