RACING drivers are bracing themselves for the first race held on the newly tarred race track this coming week-end – an event which kicks off at the Tony Rust on Friday night with some exhilarating Open Drag racing.
The Ministry Sport and will be present on Saturday to officiate the opening of the new re-surfaced track which is phase 1 of the N$500 000 re-surfacing project that was initiated by the Windhoek Motor Club (WMC) in August this year. The Government stepped in to save the 2.6 kilometres and ten meter wide race track which after 30 years of wear and tear was in a bad shape, threatening the longevity of motor racing in Namibia.
Racing on Saturday starts at 9h00 with the Karting, followed by the different classes in the main circuit races. The leg five of the Namibian Championship will see entries competing for the title, in the various classes, with racing starting at 14h00.
According to Christiaan Liebenberg (Chairperson Windhoek Motor Club), the guys are going to struggle to get the feel of the new surface, which is pretty slippery according to feedback from reports after some test runs, as well as those that used it during the last Cymot rally.
“The track surface is really looking good, and is a great improvement on what we had, but it will take at least three races before it settles in, so the guys just need get used to it for now,” he said.
Liebenberg also said that the week-end’s race day is a runner up to the final curtain closer being held on 7 December, when the last round of the championships, will sort the mice from the men on the scoreboard. The club have extended an invitation to South African drifters to add to the excitement.
Organisers from the WMC are expecting some good racing this weekend, saying that “local is lekker” with at least 20 cars expected on the track. The dice on Saturday for overall championship points will heat up between Fransois Smit in the Clubmen’s Class, Guilliaume Kruger, André Havenga and Marius Botha who are the guys to beat. Spectators are promised some first class action.
BY Donna Collins