Who will be the fastest to The Top Of The Hill at Zwartkops?
This coming weekend’s (21-22 November) The Top Of The Hill Challenge at Zwartkops Raceway is nearly upon us, and with a star-studded entry list ready to take on the course, everyone is eager to see who will be the champions in 2025.
One of the biggest battles in South African motorsport in 2025 is expected to be for the Modified Production Car title. Reghard Roets (BB Motorsport 2014 Nissan GTR R35) is the reigning champion, but Pieter Zeelie (Zeelie Accountants Toyota MR2) will be eager to recommence their battle in this year’s edition. Both drivers have won similar time attack events this year and are keen to conclude the season with another victory. However, they are not the only ones going for gold.
One of the unluckiest drivers in 2024 was Franco Scribante (2016 Nissan GTR R35). While Roets had the fastest time in the Shootout, it was Scribante who recorded the weekend’s fastest time in Qualifying 1, and he will look to establish himself as an early contender. Aldo Scribante (WCT Auctions 2009 Audi S4) is another former top contender returning in 2025, while Silvio Scribante (Cemza 2020 Audi RS3) will make his debut. Some other familiar names include Ishmael Baloyi (1996 Honda Civic EK), Jonathan Mogotsi (Volkswagen Genuine Parts Volkswagen Polo GTI), Charles Fowlds (www.0861clearview.co.za 2011 Subaru WRX), and Pierre Bester (2014 Mercedes-Benz A45). Jarred Rossouw (Oh My Gifts & Gadgets, 2012 Volkswagen Golf 6 R) again returns for double duty and will also compete in the Road Car & Supercar Class. Mark du Toit will pilot two cars in the Modified Production Cars Class, his BMW Z4 and 2004 Ford GT1, both prepared by Trans Africa Racing.
The Modified Production Cars battle will also see a host of debutants in 2025. Joshua du Toit has been doing well in circuit racing this year and will compete in his 1996 Honda Civic EK. Clare Vale (2013 Subaru BRZ) was unfortunate to miss out in 2024, but is looking forward to her Top Of The Hill debut. Gary Martins (Grease Monkey Motor Garage, 2016 BMW M2 50d) has become a regular at time attack events and is ready to take on another new challenge. Dewald Pretorius (SPS Racing 1993 Mazda RX7) and Arnold du Plessis (BB Motorsport 2022 Nissan Patrol) will also look to impress on debut. Leon Bredenkamp (2000 Honda Civic) will also compete. Another prolific debutant will be multiple South African karting and main circuit champion Brad Liebenberg (2020 Volkswagen Polo GTI).
The Classic Conqueror Challenge is another well-contested class, and, like 2024, it is incorporated into the main event, removing the challenge for spectators, as is the case with similar events where the historic competition takes place on a separate day. Ian Schofield (Investchem 1977 March 77B) is the defending champion and has his sights set on a successful title defence. He will again be joined by another 2024 frontrunner, James Temple (Shelby South Africa 1965 Shelby Daytona Coupe), as well as John Ten Doeschate, Jonathan du Toit, and Seef Fourie, who will also be back in the line-up, albeit piloting different cars than they did in the previous edition. Ten Doeschate will take on The Hill in a 1964 GSM Flamingo, while Du Toit will pilot both Trans Africa Racing’s 1959 Austin A35 and 1995 Opel Astra. Fourie will pilot no fewer than three cars, competing in a 1959 Austin A35, a 1992 Opel Rekord, and a 1962 Lolette. Grant Haskins will pilot a 1947 MG Spider. Rodney Green, who drove the oldest car in last year’s event, will again be behind the wheel of one of the oldest cars, the Piri Piri Racing Team 1935 Riley Racing 6, which dates back to 1935.
The Classic Conqueror field will also feature a sizable and significant host of event debutants. One of them, Patrick Gearing, will also compete in a 1935-built car, the Spannerworx 1935 Riley TT Sprite. Stuart Greig will also form part of the Piri Piri Racing Team, piloting the 1957 Cooper F2. Joining Temple in the Shelby South Africa line-up will be Djurk Venter (1968 Ford Escort) and Alistair Simpson (1967 Chev Camaro). Heinrich du Preez (HRS Customs 1985 Cobra KCC) is set to make his debut in the fourth Cobra KCC built in South Africa. Nicole Donker, who already competed in various historic races in recent months, will pilot a 1965 Alfa GT. Karyn Pitcher has entered a 1958 Nash Metropolitan, while Hedley Whitehead will make his debut in a 1964 Austin Cooper S. Andre de Lange, a driver who needs no introduction in South African motorsport, will compete in a 1972 Opel Kadett.
Vic Campher will be back to defend his Road Car & Supercar title in his 2019 Porsche 911 RS. Jared Rossouw will this year be behind the wheel of a 2018 Porsche GT3. The Shelby South Africa Ford Mustang Super Snake quartet will also be out in full force this weekend. Returning to their line-up are Joshua O’Callaghan (2022 model), Paul Malatji (2027 model), and Vinesh Padayachy (2017 model).
The first debutant in this class will be Anton Pommersheim, who will join the Shelby South Africa team in their 2016 Shelby Mustang Super Snake. Campher also debuted the 2024 Volvo EX30 last year, which will be driven by Alan Poulter this year. Willie de Beer (W.D Towing Services 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo), Trent Williams (2017 Volkswagen Golf 7 R) and Strati Yiannakis (Gapcon Developments 2022 BMW M4) will also debut.
JM Gerber (2007 Formula M Van Dieman) will aim to defend his Single Seater & Sports Car title, with Josef Kotze (Top Products 2023 Birken S3) also making a return. However, the debutant in this class will be someone to watch out for. Robert Wolk is a multiple South African Single Seater and South African Touring Cars Champion, and also not a newcomer to course time attack events. He will pilot the Investchem 2005 Gould GR 55.
As in 2024, the event will again feature the Volkswagen Rookie Cup Challenge, with some of this year’s drivers competing against media personalities in identical Volkswagen Polo Vivo GT Cars. Uzair Khan returns for his second outing and will be joined by his fellow 2025 series rivals Luke Hill, Mauro da Luz, and newly crowned champion Christopher Tait. Like the latter three drivers, the media contingent will all make their event debut, and is made up of Mpho Maboi, Nicky Netshifhefhe, Chad Jones, and Jeanette Kritzinger.
The event will commence on Friday morning practice, with the first three of six qualifying sessions starting after lunch. Saturday will see the remaining qualifying runs, followed by the class finals and shootouts. Competitors will have one run per session.
Tickets for the event can be purchased at the entrance gate or by contacting the Zwartkops Raceway office (Phone +27 12 384 2299, Email info@zwartkops.co.za). Tickets are priced at R230 per adult, R150 per student, and children under 12 enter for free.
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