During qualifying, it was Schriks who took the bonus point for pole from Gert van den Berg (Hankook Rhema 2) by 0,2seconds. These two were quite a bit faster than the rest of the chasers. They were followed by “Mr Zwartkops”, Symm Grobler (Rhema 2) with the youngest of the Hills racing mafia, Brandon Hills (Mangaza Consulting / Just Water Rhema 1.5) following closely. Vaughn Hills (Hankook Sting) and Jannie Geyser (Rhema 2) surprised with fifth and sixth. Behind them, Richard Carr (Lucky Star Rhema 2) and Lushen Ramchander (TRA / D&B Industrial) was on row four. Ramchander was struggling with gearbox issues, as was Peter Hills (Lube Fusion Rhema 2) who was in ninth with Ben Pienaar (DOE Quality Parts Rhema 2) rounding out the top ten. Third to tenth was covered by 0,7seconds during qualifying. The biggest upset, was however when Ashley Padyachee (Catalyst Technology Solutions Lazer) went off on the inside of turn one and crashed heavily into the wall on the inside, causing immediate retirement. Luckily the driver was ok and he will be back.

During the first race, Schriks and Van den Berg diced it out for the lead, with Grobler staying in close pursuit. In the end Van den Berg, Schriks and Grobler finished 0,4seconds apart after Van den Berg passed Schriks on the last lap. Behind them Ramchander came through from eight to fourth to salvage valuable championship points. Brandon Hills finished a lonely fifth, with Peter Hills recovering from his qualifying troubles to sixth, by narrowly beating Geyser across the line after a race long battle. Carr finished behind them after he had an off track excursion at turn five. Vaughn Hills beat out Michael Kernick (Northern Bolt & Tool /Tack SA Tasman 95) who were both struggling with various issues and had an awesome dice with Shaun van der Linde (Truck City Boksburg / Len Schoen Estates Rhema 2), until Van der Linde spun into turn four. Pienaar and Geoff Tugwell (Solar Utility Vmax) rounded out the points finishers after racing closely. Jansen had to retire due to overheating issues on the borrowed spare engine and withdrew from the rest of the day.

Race two was more difficult with oil covering turn two and three. This closed down the overtaking line into turn two significantly. Van den Berg got passed on the line by Brandon Hills, only to get past him at turn four. Van den Berg and Hills then pursued Schriks with Van den Berg passing Schriks on lap three. The order remained the same as Schriks’s overtaking opportunity was cancelled due to yellow flags into turn four on the penultimate lap. Roy Douglas (Forza) spun while dicing with Vermaak. During an overtaking move, Vermaak squeezed him to the inside and taking avoiding action he spun and beached onto the inside kerb. Brandon Hills lost a little touch with the first two after the fourth lap and got passed by Ramchander who took third and Grobler who stole fourth. Carr finished just behind Hills with Peter Hills and Geyser in close proximity. Kernick beat out van der Linde and Vaughn Hills after a race long battle. These guys were up and over the kerbs on the last two laps with a ferocious battle raging. Pienaar closed out the points scoring positions with MD Bester (Mangaza Consulting / Just Water Sting) and Jeandre le Roux (Liqui Moly Lantis) battling throughout. Vermaak, Austin and Tugwell all retired on the last lap, but was still classified as finishers.

In the Championship, Schriks lead was cut to 9 points over Van den Berg with Ramchander losing out on valuable points after the qualifying gearbox problems.    

The championship is now becoming a close affair after it looked like Schriks would have it easy earlier in the year.

Hankook Formula Vee racing heads to the coast for the second time this season. Racing continues on 21 September at the Extreme Festival at Aldo Scribante in Port Elizabeth. Formula Vee has not been here in the last three years, but previously it has also been a Schriks stronghold. Can the rest of the field catch up to the two in the front?