BIREL  DRIVERS CONTINUE TO DOMINATE

In what can only be described as an excellent event, round 1 of the South African National Championship, proved to be a thrilling affair. The Rok classes seemed to have gained good momentum and are now showing very strong numbers both regionally and nationally.

The draw card of the event was the Super Rok class with no less than 27 competitors taking to the track. Once again, Birel drivers dominated the event with reigning 2009 Champion Ian Young (Birel) getting his 2010 season off to a near perfect start by taking two of the heat wins. Fellow Birel driver Chad Van Beurden showed what he is made of by making it a Birel 1 and 2 for the day. Next best Birel driver was youngster Adrian Wood who fought hard and came out with sixth overall.  Despite a third in the last heat, Liam Venter had two non finishes aboard his Birel. Duke Rigway showed he was on pace all weekend until a final heat DNF cost him a podium position. Youngster to the class Aston Hare had a heavy learning curve, but still posted competitive lap times.

In the Junior Rok category, racing was as intense as ever. Newcomer to the class Kelvin Van Der Linde (Van Der Linde Developments Birel) took two of the heat wins to take the overall win for the day. Team mate Chad Maciver (Birel) showed he will be a championship contender to, by finishing in third overall. Nathan Parkins (Forsa Racing Birel) also had a very consistent day by taking fourth overall.

Junior GP was just as exciting with Birel driver Bradley Liebenberg showing off his mini max experience to take victory. Despite being in contention for overall honours, Kart Shoppe team member Clinton Bezuidenhout made some unforced errors to end up fifth overall for the day.

When asked to comment on the event, Leeroy Poulter (The Kart Shoppe) summarised by saying “It is great to see that South African National Championship Karting is once again attracting large numbers. We are glad to see that a strong foundation has been laid, and we are sure that this series will grow from strength to strength. What also impressed us is that Port Elizabeth is not usually Birel’s strongest track, and this weekend with the new RY30S2, we won all classes. I am therefore really looking forward to the remainder of the season with the Birel RY30S2 chassis.”

The next event for Birel drivers will be the first round of the SARMC national qualifiers to be held in Cape Town over Easter Weekend.