4 May 1991 - Zwartkops

2 Heats of 15 laps each

The battle for class B honours was continued with the Skyline of Johan Coetzee pipping the BMW of Viana to pole by 0.02s, followed by the 535i of Deon Joubert. The first heat initially saw a ferocious battle between Joubert and Coetzee, with the two colliding at Sabat Sweep on lap two, sending Coetzee down the order. Joubert went on to win, but was disqualified. After Joubert protested, his win was re-instated, but he was fined for ignoring a black flag – which he claimed he had not seen. Viana retired on lap 7. During the second heat, Coetzee and Viana made contact several times during a heated battle that was eventually won by Coetzee. Deon Joubert came home in third place.

Results:

Heat 1 – Overall Result (Top 6)

1. Chris Aberdein (Audi 500 Turbo), 2. Sarel van der Merwe (Ford Sapphire Cosworth Turbo), 3. Terry Moss (Audi 500 Turbo), 4. Willie Hepburn (Opel Rekord V8), 5. Ben Morgenrood (Mazda 323TRS), 6. Deon Joubert (BMW 535i)

Heat 1 – Class B Result

1. Deon Joubert (BMW 535i), 2. Johan Coetzee (Nissan Skyline), 3. Larry Wilford (Nissan Skyline), 4. Gary Dunkerley (Porsche 911SC), 5. Paddy Driver (Mazda RX7)

Heat 2 – Overall Result (Top 6)

1. Chris Aberdein (Audi 500 Turbo), 2. Terry Moss (Audi 500 Turbo), 3. Sarel van der Merwe (Ford Sapphire Cosworth Turbo), 4. Ben Morgenrood (Mazda 323TRS), 5. Willie Hepburn (Opel Rekord V8), 6. Johan Coetzee (Nissan Skyline)

Heat 2 – Class B Result

1. Johan Coetzee (Nissan Skyline), 2. Tony Viana (BMW 535i), 3. Deon Joubert (BMW 535i), 4. Gary Dunkerley (Porsche 911SC), 5. Larry Wilford (Nissan Skyline)

The two photos below have some significance and were taken by me at this race meeting as a 22 year old.

I have always been attracted to saloon car racing for the same reason that has attracted so many people - the fascination of seeing a road car on the track in race guise. This was the first time I had physically seen the two BMWs on the track, and I was enamoured. They made a huge impression on me at the time. Who would have thought that thirty years later, I would own the Tony Viana car? Quite extraordinary.

I didn't know I had these photos and didn't even realise that I had taken photos of the two cars at this race. I found them by accident going through some old photos looking for something else.