July 17 marked a first for the EL Grand Prix circuit, as the Durban-based GT Supa Cars exhibition race came to town to test their mettle against Border racers.
Of the 45 competitors, 10 locals competed and racers were divided into groups A and B, depending on qualifying times. The exhibition race enabled local drivers to test their skills against newer, more advanced vehicles and different approaches to racing.
EL Grand Prix track manager, Andrew Kargashan, said the race benefitted local drivers who were preparing for the rest of the racing season given that Border racing is waiting for round four to take place on July 8.
Darron Gudmanz’s Nissan GTR put up a fantastic display of power against Sun Moodley’s Mercedes SLS, giving spectators a rare treat of the might behind the 40-year-old GTR.
Long time racer, Gudmanz said his car has the advantage over the Mercedes SLS in terms of horsepower, however the SLS sports the latest technology with an experienced driver behind it, which made for a tight competition between the two.
“To see a 40-year-old car competing with a modern GT3 car is a great rarity because the new GT3 cars are next level. I knew I would have a fight on my hands because even though I have the horsepower, my car doesn’t brake and is much older.”
Fellow Border drivers faired well, with Gareth Hewitt in his Steel and Pipes for Africa M3 taking top spot in GT2 and Wade Wright taking top in GT3 in his Budget Storage BMW.
Hewitt, who has had his M3 for a year and a half, said that racing in it has been a series of constant development.
However, he believes the car’s speed and handling is superb and the results are starting to show in the silverware.
Hewitt said: “I think it’s always nice for drivers to experience our track. It has the fastest corner of all the tracks in SA. Once you have done a few laps here, very little compares to the speed one is able to achieve.
“I think our sport will definitely grow and the people who take the time to come to East London track always come back. The GT Super Cup is an awesome series that we were lucky enough to take part in. It is an awesome format of racing.”
The local drivers had the home advantage, knowing the track well.
However, the visitors performed exceptionally and with increased familiarity of the EL Grand Prix circuit, they will be returning in August for a seven-hour endurance race.
Kargashan said that continued hosting of such exhibition races at the EL Grand Prix circuit will generate enormous revenue for the city and will revitalise a dwindling local tourism sector.
