A taste of what South African motor sport fans can expect at Khayalami in November was on display at France’s Paul Ricard circuit at Le Castellet last Sunday, where Porsche and Italy’s Fabrizio Giovanardi scored an historic debut double win in the latest round of the international Superstars Series.
Superstars, the Italian-based international series catering for V8-engined four-door luxury production cars that made its first appearance in South Africa in December last year, returns to Khayalami from November 26 to 28 courtesy of Blue IQ and the Gauteng provincial government when it will be share a three-day feast of top class motor racing with the final round of the WesBank Super Series.
Giovanardi, a former British touring car champion driving a Porsche Panamera S, edged out the Team BMW Italia M3 of countryman and former Formula One driver Gianni Morbidelli in heat one, with another former F1 driver Johnny Herbert of great Britain third in a Chevrolet Lumina CR8.
Runner-up to Giovanardi in race two was championship leader Thomas Biagi (Team BMW Italia M3), the Italian extending his lead in the points standings after finishing sixth in the first race as his closest rivals, Mercedes C63 AMG drivers Luigi Ferrara and Max Pigoli faltered. Third was Francesco Sini (Mercedes C63 AMG).
Biagi, a former FIA GT1 champion, now leads with 127 points with just two rounds remaining (Vallelunga on October 10 and Khayalami on November 28).
Ferrara is second with 105 points and Pigoli third with 89 points. Last year’s champion Morbidelli is fourth with 74 points, ahead of Alberto Cola (62), Herbert (45) and Giovanardi (43).
The 500 bhp (368kW) V8 saloon car championship makes only its second-ever trip outside Europe when it comes to Khayalami and a strong field of 17 to 19 cars is expected. There will be two free practice sessions on the Friday, qualifying on Saturday and two 25-minute plus one lap races on Sunday.
The weekend’s entertainment will include the final races in the WesBank Super Series of national championships for Bridgestone Production Cars, WesBank V8 Supercars, Engen Volkswagen Polo Cup, Formula Volkswagen and Interfile Superbikes and Supersport.
Tickets go on sale on later this month at Computicket outlets countrywide or online at www.computicket.com. Please watch the press for details.
STORY BY PETER BURROUGHES COMMUNICATIONS
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