The engines roared, the dirt flew and the championship battles went right down to the wire as the DO4SA Regional Dirt Oval Championship reached its dramatic conclusion at PE Oval Track Raceway (PEOTR) on Saturday night. Despite strong winds and bitterly cold conditions, a small but enthusiastic crowd braved the elements to witness the final chapter of a championship that has delivered plenty of close racing and determined performances. With several top contenders choosing to sit out the final round as they turn their attention towards the upcoming National Championships at PEOTR on 25 and 26 September, the championship standings were given one final shake-up.
While the official results are still in the process of being ratified, several championship outcomes are already becoming clear.

It was a memorable night for Johan Schoeman, who did enough to secure championship honours in both the 1600 Stock Saloons and Heavy Metal categories. Schoeman’s achievement highlights the consistency required to come out on top over an entire regional championship, where every point can ultimately prove decisive.
In the V8 American Saloons, Juan Roesstorff made the most of the absence of Pieta Victor, cruising to overall honours on the night. His victory could also have a significant impact on the final championship order, with Deon Verster potentially moving into second place once the standings are confirmed.
The Hot Rods once again provided plenty of interest, with Dawid Grundlingh doing enough to consolidate his championship lead. Malcolm Els also enjoyed an impressive evening, moving into second place in the championship standings. Els’s performance was consistent enough to earn him the coveted Driver of the Day award — a fitting reward for a driver who kept delivering throughout the evening.
Few championship battles were as closely contested as the 2.1 Modified Saloons, where Shawn du Preez arrived at the final round holding a slender one-point advantage. With everything still to play for, du Preez kept his composure and brought his car home in second place. That result should be enough to see him crowned the overall championship winner, subject to the final ratification of the standings.
It was a classic championship performance: when the pressure was at its highest, du Preez delivered the points he needed.
In the 1660 Modified Saloon class, Jason Drake arrived at PEOTR with one objective, finish the championship on top, and he certainly made his intentions clear. Drake came out with guns blazing, taking the overall win on the night and doing enough to ensure that the regional championship would be his. It was a statement finish to what has been a hard-fought campaign.

With the regional championship now reaching its conclusion, attention shifts rapidly towards the next major challenge. The scheduled meeting at Victory Raceway on 5 September has been cancelled, allowing drivers and teams additional time to prepare for the upcoming National Championships at PEOTR on 25 and 26 September.
For the competitors, there is little time to relax. Cars will be checked, engines prepared and final adjustments made as the region’s best drivers prepare to take on the national field.
If Saturday night’s action is anything to go by, the Nationals promise to deliver plenty of noise, speed, sideways action and close racing.

Class results were as follows –

Junior Hot Rods
1st – Ziaan du Plessis (D323)
2nd – Anrico van Niekerk (C11)
3rd – Jordan Geddes (C115)

1600 Stock Saloons
1st – Johan Schoeman (C93)
2nd – Warren Dawson (C123)
3rd – Niel Herselman (E66)

1660 Modified Saloons
1st – Jason Drake (C126)
2nd – Zaine Knickelbein (B145)
3rd – Pieter le Roux (E777)

Hot Rods
1st – Piet Scheepers (C23)
2nd – Malcolm Els (EC85)
3rd – Donal Theron (SA2)

2.1 Modified Saloons
1st – JP du Plessis (D321)
2nd – Shawn du Preez (E13)
3rd – Damon Miles (E7)

Classic 6’s
1st – Jonathan van Vuuren (C721)
2nd – Zane van Wyk (C24)
3rd – Willie Matthee (C740)

Heavy Metals
1st – Jaco Aylward (E20)
2nd – Gordon Ascaray (C178)

V8 American Saloons
1st – Juan Roesstorff (E97)
2nd – Johnny Weitz (C66)
3rd – Deon Verster (EC93)