INTRODUCTION
Classic Stuff
Springbok Series & Border 100
Remember the days when the air around racetracks was filled with the smell of cooked brakes, worked clutches, burnt rubber? How about when driver changes, pit stop strategies and fuel tank size determined the running order and smaller capacity car often humbled the world’s best sports cars? We are all on the same page, remembering the legendary 9-Hour and world renowned Springbok Series, which traversed Southern Africa back in the day.
If the memory is a bit foggy or you are of a vintage that didn’t see this type of action then don’t worry, dates and venues for South Africa’s only dedicated endurance racing series, the Execuline Springbok Series have been released.
Round 1, which takes place on 4/5 December sees competitors heading for Kyalami and the exciting 9-Hour Retro event. Round 2 follows hot on the heels and kicks of the holiday season at the famed East London Grand Prix Circuit on 16 December before the third and final round blows into Cape Town on 5/6 February. East London fans can soak up even more action on the 17th and 18th of December as the Legendary Border 100 takes place. The bike boys power around the track on the 17th before more four-wheeled action heats up the 18th.
The endurance aspect takes over with a 3-Hour for cars of both saloon and sports layout built before 1974. Pre 1974 might appear to be an odd date cut off, considering the usual historic saloon dates are Pre 1977 and Pre 1966 but it makes that much more sense when you see the final original Springbok Series meeting took place in 1973 – just short of fuel rationing.
Cars you can expect to see include hulking Ford GT40s and Cobras, Porsche 917, Lola T70 and Chevrons not forgetting of course the more humble, but deceptively quick models like Ford Escort, Cortina, Anglia, Mustang and Capri, Alfa Juniors, Berlina and Guilia, Fiat 131, BMW 2002s, MGB, Marcos, Mercedes-Benz and a whack of Datsuns.
