PRESS RELEASE: PASSION FOR SPEED 7 FEB 2015
Posted: 29 January 2015 | Press release by: WPMC. Images: Franschhoek Motor Museum + Otis J Gore.

 

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The final round of the International Passion for Speed series at Killarney on February 7 is rapidly acquiring a nostalgic carnival atmosphere as more static historic events are added to the program at no extra cost to the public. These include the display of the Formula 1 and Formula 2 cars from the Franschhoek Motor Museum in the pits nearest to the tart/finish, when they are not on the track. Here, pride of place will go to the ex-Jody Scheckter F1 Tyrrell Cosworth V8 that carried the South African to victory in both the British and Swedish Grands Prix in 1974.


Then a Classic Car Show featuring many of the great – but now, sadly rare -- road and sports cars of the past, is being organized by the Cape Jaguar Club on a section of the infield area adjacent to their clubhouse, that is being specially prepared. Naturally there is going to be a display of historic Jaguars, as well as GSM Darts, Flamingo GT’s and a variety of other older ragtops. The clubhouse facilities, including the braai fires, will be available to everyone.


There is also going to be Fan Walk during the lunch break that will include the entries in the Legends of the 9-Hour, as well as the Classic and TT motorcycle events. These traditional Fan Walks have the drivers and riders available with their entries, to chat to the fans and even sign autographs. They have proved so popular that although originally held on the starting grid, they have now been moved down to the more densely populated spectator area on a section of the track around the Rose Sweep (Turn 3) and up towards the Malmesbury Sweep (Turn 4).


The full program of events includes races for:
*Pre 1966/’68 Le Mans, Sebring Sports and GT and SA TT.
*Pre 1977 Classic and pre 1984 invitation cars.
*Isle of Man TT motorcycles.
*Pre 1966 Legends of the 9-Hour, Production Cars and “little giants.”
*Formula1 and F2 racing cars high speed demo.
*Extreme Supercars.
*Grand Prix cars of the “50’s and ‘60’s.
*Pre ’74 International Sports Prototypes and pre ’74 Trans-Ams.


Koos Swanepoel, one of the Cape’s greatest racing drivers and winner of the inaugural South African Saloon Car Championship back in 1964, is going to be seen in action again during the international Passion for Speed meeting at Killarney on February 7. The long time Durbanville resident is due to take his place at the wheel of the potent Elva Porsche sports car previously driven by Dawie Gous and Luki Botha before Koos took it over in the late 1960’s. The vehicle has recently been completely rebuilt and is now fitted with a new RSK quad cam Porsche motor.


Once again another feature of the meeting will be the return of Formula 1 to the northern suburb circuit for the first time since the Cape Grands Prix many long years ago. These cars are going to include Jody Scheckter’s 007-1 Tyrrell / Cosworth V8 with which he won the 1974 British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch as well as the Swedish GP at Andersdorp, while on his way to finishing third in the Formula 1 World Championship that year.

The balance of the single seater Franschhoek contingent will feature the ex- Sam Tingle F1 Repco LDS, designed by South Africa’s Doug Serrurier, as well as a Formula 2 Team Gunston Chevron B25 and a Ford engined Formula Atlantic March 78B. The cars are going to stage a series of high speed demo runs during the course of the meeting and will also be available for inspection in the pit area at other times.


Entries in the sports car races include a brutal Lola T70 coupe, entered as a tribute to the identical model raced by former world champion John Surtees, Mike d’Udy and Peter de Klerk at Le Mans, Spa and the Nurburgring. It was then brought to South Africa by Paul Hawkins, a charismatic Australian, who drove it to a magnificent victory in the 1967Cape 3-Hour race at Killarney. This closed GT version is going to be up against a pair of T-70 open Spyder models in the hands of Mark du Toit and Rui Campos and it will be interesting to see how they compare.


There are also going to be events for modern Extreme Supercars that will see sophisticated Ferrari models up against American muscle in the form of cars like Charl Arangies giant V10, 8-lire Dodge Viper coupe. Enthusiasts who prefer their racing on two wheels will be pleased to hear that Mick Grant, eight times winner of the prestigious Isle of Man TT, is part of a group of top overseas riders who will be here with their Grand Prix motorcycles.

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