Big Guns gear up for the Passion for Speed at Zwartkops
The Iconic Big Legends of the 9 Hour – Pre’1966 Monster Cars Will Be Out In Full Force
Our biggest legend Sarel van der Merwe will be out to repeat his winning ways in the big 7 litre, 2 ton, 1963 Ford Galaxie.
With him will be Hennie Groenewald, in the 1958 Plymouth Fury, Paulo Cavalieri in the Ford Galaxie, Jonathan du Toit in the Chev Nova and Mark du Toit in the Chev Biscayne.
Then Leeroy Poulter will try and keep them all honest in the 1957 Black Widow Chev Bel-Air. From Cape Town and out to repeat his Killarney win will be young Ferdi van Niekerk in the Yellow Banana Galaxie. Michiel Campagnia has entered his white ’64 Galaxie. The Studebaker Golden Hawk will also be there and then Jacques Malan from Cape Town in the Silver Hawk.
Ten hungry V8’s with 5000 HP on tap to do battle. That is not all Peter Lindenberg, Craig Cummings have agreed to re-map and get their Mustangs compliant to the big ten. This means that we could have 12 big monster cars in class A. It is a bit scary to contemplate the outcome but this event with “simply the best” at the wheel is not, repeat – not to be missed!
The class A category will be complimented with FIA compliant Pre’1966 cars – The purple Mustang Trans Africa Racing two Mustangs and a Comaro from Europe plus the Alfa GT brigade, headed by Clive Densham who could upset the whole establishment with his very special and effective racer. Now if only I was a betting man… But the odds are long for all of them. Not to be missed.
A Crazy Noddy “LITTLE Giant” Austin-Nash Metropolitan
In the late fifties the Nash Motor Corporation in the USA decided that Americans needed a small compact car. So they decided to shrink their Big Nash Cucumber car into what could be nothing more than a “Noddy” car. It initially started out with an 1100 Austin engine, but once production ceased it had been upgraded to a 1500cc motor.
As the name suggests “Metropolitan” meaning on city car. It sold in fair numbers but never really gained traction. Production ceased in 1960. This funny little car found its way to South Africa (Stanley Motors being the franchise holder) but only a few were sold and ever fewer survive today – except at Zwartkops that a Austin Metropolitan has found its way into the LITTLE Giants series and will be racing on the 28th January with Chad Ten Doechate as the driver. It has been set up for racing.
History: 1960 Austin/ Nash Metropolitan
The only record we have in respect of a competition history of the little Austin/Nash is that in August 1959 it competed in on Saloon Car Handicap event at Grand Central. The car was entered and driven by R.R.D. Roach – an active member and participant of the S.C.C. in its formative years. The little Austin/Nash came 6th on handicap and as far as can be ascertain was never raced again. It is interesting to note that this little egg on wheels was quicker than Colin Burford (Production car ace of the 1960’s) in a Fiat 750 ABARTH!
R.R.D. Roach enjoyed racing mavericks. He also raced a 4dr Consul 315 – but not for long – too heavy to be hauled around with a 1340cc three bearing Anglia engine.
Weekend Tickets (Friday to Sunday): Adults R200, Students R130
Tickets bought at Gate on Saturday: Adults R200, Students R130
Friday / Sunday Ticket Only: Adults R100, R80 Students
Presold Tickets from Zwartkops Office or Computicket: R180 Adults, R110 Students
Kids under 12 Free Entry
16th Historic Passion for Speed Race |