PRESS
RELEASE: PASSION FOR SPEED 7 FEB 2015
Posted:
29 January 2015 | Press release by: WPMC. Images: Franschhoek
Motor Museum + Otis J Gore.
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The
final round of the International Passion for Speed series
at Killarney on February 7 is rapidly acquiring a nostalgic
carnival atmosphere as more static historic events are added
to the program at no extra cost to the public. These include
the display of the Formula 1 and Formula 2 cars from the Franschhoek
Motor Museum in the pits nearest to the tart/finish, when
they are not on the track. Here, pride of place will go to
the ex-Jody Scheckter F1 Tyrrell Cosworth V8 that carried
the South African to victory in both the British and Swedish
Grands Prix in 1974.
Then a Classic Car Show featuring many of the great –
but now, sadly rare -- road and sports cars of the past, is
being organized by the Cape Jaguar Club on a section of the
infield area adjacent to their clubhouse, that is being specially
prepared. Naturally there is going to be a display of historic
Jaguars, as well as GSM Darts, Flamingo GT’s and a variety
of other older ragtops. The clubhouse facilities, including
the braai fires, will be available to everyone.
There is also going to be Fan Walk during the lunch break
that will include the entries in the Legends of the 9-Hour,
as well as the Classic and TT motorcycle events. These traditional
Fan Walks have the drivers and riders available with their
entries, to chat to the fans and even sign autographs. They
have proved so popular that although originally held on the
starting grid, they have now been moved down to the more densely
populated spectator area on a section of the track around
the Rose Sweep (Turn 3) and up towards the Malmesbury Sweep
(Turn 4).
The full program of events includes races for:
*Pre 1966/’68 Le Mans, Sebring Sports and GT and SA
TT.
*Pre 1977 Classic and pre 1984 invitation cars.
*Isle of Man TT motorcycles.
*Pre 1966 Legends of the 9-Hour, Production Cars and “little
giants.”
*Formula1 and F2 racing cars high speed demo.
*Extreme Supercars.
*Grand Prix cars of the “50’s and ‘60’s.
*Pre ’74 International Sports Prototypes and pre ’74
Trans-Ams.
Koos Swanepoel, one of the Cape’s greatest racing drivers
and winner of the inaugural South African Saloon Car Championship
back in 1964, is going to be seen in action again during the
international Passion for Speed meeting at Killarney on February
7. The long time Durbanville resident is due to take his place
at the wheel of the potent Elva Porsche sports car previously
driven by Dawie Gous and Luki Botha before Koos took it over
in the late 1960’s. The vehicle has recently been completely
rebuilt and is now fitted with a new RSK quad cam Porsche
motor.
Once again another feature of the meeting will be the return
of Formula 1 to the northern suburb circuit for the first
time since the Cape Grands Prix many long years ago. These
cars are going to include Jody Scheckter’s 007-1 Tyrrell
/ Cosworth V8 with which he won the 1974 British Grand Prix
at Brands Hatch as well as the Swedish GP at Andersdorp, while
on his way to finishing third in the Formula 1 World Championship
that year.
The balance of the single seater Franschhoek contingent will
feature the ex- Sam Tingle F1 Repco LDS, designed by South
Africa’s Doug Serrurier, as well as a Formula 2 Team
Gunston Chevron B25 and a Ford engined Formula Atlantic March
78B. The cars are going to stage a series of high speed demo
runs during the course of the meeting and will also be available
for inspection in the pit area at other times.
Entries in the sports car races include a brutal Lola T70
coupe, entered as a tribute to the identical model raced by
former world champion John Surtees, Mike d’Udy and Peter
de Klerk at Le Mans, Spa and the Nurburgring. It was then
brought to South Africa by Paul Hawkins, a charismatic Australian,
who drove it to a magnificent victory in the 1967Cape 3-Hour
race at Killarney. This closed GT version is going to be up
against a pair of T-70 open Spyder models in the hands of
Mark du Toit and Rui Campos and it will be interesting to
see how they compare.
There are also going to be events for modern Extreme Supercars
that will see sophisticated Ferrari models up against American
muscle in the form of cars like Charl Arangies giant V10,
8-lire Dodge Viper coupe. Enthusiasts who prefer their racing
on two wheels will be pleased to hear that Mick Grant, eight
times winner of the prestigious Isle of Man TT, is part of
a group of top overseas riders who will be here with their
Grand Prix motorcycles.
END
