A fabulous threesome

In our favour and largely thanks to a brilliant race engine builder (Martin Richards) there was little or no work to be be done on either the SSS or the GX Coupe other than an all round spanner check. Due to a very full race program we (Classic Cars) were exempted from qualifying and grid positions were done by drawing positions from a hat. (We've now done our bit towards limiting the 'greenhouse' gas environment.)

Saturday was a busy day with the first classic car race off at 11h40 with the SSS in 9th position and the GX Coupe in 17th. Weather conditions were good, the track was hot and clean and fast race times were clearly reflected. The SSS managed to finish 8th in Class A amongst the big guns with a most respectable time of 1:27:10. My little GX Coupe managed a blistering 1:32:76 (almost a breakout) in lap 6 while dicing with Nick v Rensburg in the Fiat 124 Sport and I finally finished 1st in class D after starting 4th on the grid.

Race 2 was off at a slightly earlier unscheduled time due to an oil spill and although times were generally slightly slower than the first heat, good racing was still managed amongst all competitors. Martin in the SSS managed to finish 7th after putting in an even better race time at 1:26:35 in lap 6 while my GX Coupe again finished 1st in class D at a slightly slower time of 1:33.19. (Guess you'll know why!!!) My sincere thanks again go to my 'Boet' Martin for ensuring a reliable and very well prepared & competitive little race car.

While the off season was enjoyed by many a racer relaxing and soaking up the sun, Martin had other ideas which resulted in him producing a 'Magnificent' red Nissan 200SX (which almost hugs the ground) for its first ever outing in the Indy Oil Clubmans series. (To the best of my knowledge, this is the first ever Nissan 200SX to be raced in South Africa) While it would be acceptable that most new comers to a new race series encounter some teething problems that inevitably side line them for the day, Martin's preparations had none of the kind. Having to compete as a class X entrant for the first time out in the SX he posted an above expectation race time in qualifying and ran in a brilliant 1:27:41.

Race 1 was off at 13h45 where Martin finished a most respectable 8th place and right up there with the class B guys and having put in another 1:27:78. Race 2 was again similar finishing 7th comfortably and overall far ahead of the much rated Ford Focus of Philip Booysen.

I guess a better finish to the weekend could not have been asked for with a resounding impact slowly being made upon the 'Ol faithful' Datsun and Nissan supporters around the Killarney race track.

Thanks 'Boet'

The weatherman wins

At last the 2008 season got underway. I must state from the very outset that it wasn't the greatest event one could have wished for, not because it had anything to do with the 'Historic Race Day' event itself but rather that the Cape weatherman had other ideas install. The Friday was hot with acceptable conditions and I managed to post an unofficial time of 1:32:9 during practice. The Saturday was an absolute stinker with temperatures soaring to 33 deg plus with track surface temperatures close to the 60 degree mark and most certainly having an effect on the racing.

The first race was off at 13h45 for Martin in the SSS and he was the first 4-cylinder home (finishing 7th) in class A again albeit that the field was big. My race was only off at 17h00 and after some close dicing I managed to win class D with a best time of 1:34:6.

Sunday and you won't believe it, it rained on and off the whole 'friggin' day so much so that both my brother and I sat out the 1st race of the day (second for the weekend) due to the track conditions. In fact so did some of the greats including Sarel vd Merwe and many other seasoned drivers. I simply don't find 'racing' in the rain any fun as driving that cautiously is not my idea of a race but rather that of 'riding' in a race. Both Martin and I did compete in the second race of the day (3rd for the weekend and also in the rain) but I did not enjoy it one little bit. I guess I just gotta get used to it!!

On a brighter side though, during the off season I had the 'Datti' resprayed into the exact same colours as Martins' SSS (BRE colours) and it sure got the attention of many a curious onlooker. At least it now looks like a race car in my opinion.

Thanks again 'Boet' for all the off season effort and setup done.

Time to Race Again

It's February at last with the new 2008 season commencing on Saturday 9th. This was one of the longest waits in my life. My last un-official race was on 1st December 2007 and now more than two months have past by in the interim.

During the off-season not much was accomplished racing wise although some changes were made and were inevitable. Just to wet the appetite for some of the regular blogger's to this site, here's a peek.

My brother Martin has also a few new ideas under brew and all will be revealed in March of this year.

The forthcoming 2008 season will in all likelihood start off with a few teething troubles regarding implementation of the 2008 rules but given the dedication and willingness to conform I'm sure most competitors are ready to do battle on the track once again. A record 78 entries have been received to date for the first race of the season and no doubt late comers will probably still enter at the last moment as well.


Oh I just can't wait!!!!

Classic Martin determined to be a 'club man'

2008 has barely started and Martin has already laid down the gauntlet. From what I can gather he is determined to take the E out of SEX in the new year. He has stated that it is a 200 percent certainty that he will demonstrate this in the new season. Rumour has it that it's blood red but has nothing to do with being a 'period' this time.

Here's waiting in anticipation about his new year antics which has got me totally 'riddled'. Sounds all Japanese to me.

A look back at 2007

The racing season is now over and the two racing Datsuns have been laid to rest until the new season in 2008. In all due respect I honestly believe my brother Martin, deserves a thorough rest for all his efforts made and achievements accomplished during this last season. One can only expect, do and achieve so much in one season. Let me reflect back.

Shortly after the start to the season, Martin and his SSS were already making inlays and had a great start to the 2007 season. His race engines seemed to be reliable and were lasting given all the effort and time he spent in the previous off season preparing for a reliable season ahead. During a cold and wet spell in Cape Town and over a weekend he transformed his pure white SSS into the same colours as the legendary BRE Datsun of John Morton of former Brock Racing Enterprise. The car was immediately liked by all his existing SSS fans around Killarney who religiously supported his driving and determined racing style. Almost midway through the season and along came another entrant to the racing fold, that of a Datsun 1400 GX Coupe. Martin spent 2 solid weeks, sometimes late into the night stripping and preparing my car to such already well known expectations of his very own. He had a very simple motto....I would only allow my brother (me) to race this car if it was in a condition safe enough that he himself (Martin) would be prepared to race it in. It spoke volumes for me just knowing that I could go out there and give it my absolute all knowing that every last detail was thought of and taken care of. In a short span of time both Datsuns were running in the same race category, that of Classic Cars and were both achieving above average race results in their respective classes. We both did some away racing (Zwartkops Pretoria and Aldo Scribante Port Elizabeth) with great success and drew many a spectator curious as to what powered the Datsuns, especially the little GX Coupe. My personal racing achievements are largely thanks to my brother who gave me invaluable information, tips and driving lines which only an experienced race driver could provide. (Gary Player, the famous South African golfer once said, "The more I practice, the luckier I become"). I guess there's some truth in that saying.

Martin persisted throughout the long 2007 season, preparing both race cars meticulously before each and every race event, (man alone I might add) checking and re-adjusting the slightest discrepancy that he came across. The slightest worn parts were replaced unreservedly, all in the interest of race safety. Subtle adjustments were sometimes made here and there to improve handling, performance etc. all done with dedication, pride and for a specific purpose. It was most reassuring and above all, truly a pleasure to be a part of. Of course it did have its somewhat lesser moments as well. In my second ever race meeting I over revved my 'Dati' and bent a few valves which Martin promptly repaired two days later. My haste and carelessness in PE resulted in a damaged oil pickup which sidelined us in the 3 hour race. That Martin also repaired post haste as well which resulted in me further attending the non-championship invitation race of 3 December which I did not originally schedule. So far those have been my only 'misfortunes' to date with the Datsun 1400cc. Martin meanwhile had never stopped trying to further improve the race performance of his own car (Datsun SSS) and through new ideas, his trials and errors we landed up changing quite a few motors between race meetings in an effort to go just that bit faster. Failure was always going to be a possibility but was NEVER an option.

In the end, it was his 'ol faithful' L20 block and 8-valve head that in the very last official 'classic car' race of the season, that finally won him the class A title for the year 2007 by a mere 4 points. Such an achievement has never been previously accomplished (to the best of my knowledge that is) with a 4 cylinder engine and that being in the biggest and fastest class in our race category.

A remarkable achievement from a remarkable person, friend, mentor and brother. Enjoy your off season and well deserved rest. May your creative juices continue to flow during the quiet times and times of rumination . Next year is almost upon us.

Here's looking forward to the next season 'Boet'.