RUSTENBURG HERALD - ORKNEY - The first round of the battle of the clubs was completed with resounding success at the Vaal River Boating Club on Sunday, 19 May.
The event started with the 60km mini long haul, that was run up and down the river in an exciting race. Jono Schmidt (M35) who showed some incredible high speeds, unfortunately had to pull out of the race because of a cracked block. This caused a damper on the event, as everybody was waiting to see the long-awaited challenge between him and the current world champion, Klerksdorp adrenaline, junkie Renier le Roux.
However, this inspired the drivers and teams from Rustenburg’s Zodiac Club even more and although Le Roux was leading the event from the start, he couldn’t relax for even a second as the other contenders were in hot pursuit. Boat M13, with Freddie and Kayle O'Brien in second place, was waiting for the right moment to capitalise on any mistake Le Roux might make. .This is what happened with boat M88, driven by Galvin Marais and co-pilot Timothy Walker from Zodiac Club. They were forced to pull out because of engine problems.
Freddie O' Brien battled to chase the leading boat of Le Roux and Jan Human and co-driver, Chares Hill, saw the opportunity to move up to second place. The two boats and team mates from JJ le Roux Transport and members of F1 Club, finished the race in first and second place with an exhausted O' Brien in third place.
Jaco Kloostersiel and co-pilot, Jolene Gilias from the F1 Club in the P750 sprint class, did exceptionally well by running with the fast modify class and finished just 6 minutes behind the leading boat. They were followed by boat 23, Elandré and co-pilot Ezandrie Scherman from Zodiac Club and just behind them was boat 34 from team Vaps driven by Vic Viljoen and co-pilot Freddie from F1club. The two newcomers in the F1 Club, Rinus Hatting with co-pilot, Megan Stanford and Armand and co-pilot Luvandi Smit finished 4th and 5th. This first event of the battle of the clubs was a huge success and was just the right preparation for the Nashua Gariep National and Inter-club championship from 14-16 June, where all the top competitors from South Africa and teams from Namibia and the UK will also be in action. The F1 Club wins the first round by an overwhelming point score of 440 vs 173 of Zodiac Club. For any information and interest, contact Heinrich at 067 884 7751 or Kobus at 082 084 3640.
