Aldo Scribante Raceway turned back the clock in spectacular fashion when an enormous gathering of historic, classic and retro machinery descended on the circuit, treating motorsport fans to a day packed with nostalgia, noise and flat-out racing. Along with the visiting Western Province GTI Challenge Series it was a race day that will be spoken about for years to come.
Despite the overcast conditions, the weather failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the large crowd, who were rewarded with what was arguably one of the biggest and most impressive gatherings of historic and classic racing cars ever seen at the Gqeberha circuit.

With a staggering 54 entries, the organisers were faced with the enviable problem of having too many cars for a single stream. The field was therefore split into separate A and B streams according to lap times, ensuring that the racing remained close, competitive and safe.

And when the green flag dropped, the sound alone was enough to remind everyone why these cars remain such a special part of South African motorsport. Fifteen V8-powered machines brought a serious dose of American and South African muscle to Aldo Scribante Raceway, their thunderous exhaust notes echoing around the circuit and down the main straight.

The unmistakable roar of the big-engined cars was pure goose-bump material, with spectators treated to the kind of mechanical theatre that modern racing cars simply cannot replicate.
Among the biggest attractions were two beautifully restored Ford Sierra XR8s, both former Willie Hepburn machines. Local hero Aldo Scribante took the wheel of one, while KwaZulu-Natal visitor Oliver Broome brought the second XR8 to the party, adding another chapter to the story of these iconic cars.
The Chevrolet Can-Ams were equally spectacular. Three of the brutal machines had the crowd firmly on their feet as Rudolf de Vos, Franco Donadio and Matthew Gudmanz unleashed them around the circuit, providing a spectacular reminder of just how wild racing machinery once was.

The Ford faithful were certainly not left disappointed either, with 12 Ford Escorts, a host of Ford Capris, Fairlanes, Mustangs and a collection of other classic muscle cars adding even more colour and character to the grid.
For many spectators, it was as much a trip down memory lane as it was a day at the races. The Ford Escort battles produced plenty of entertainment, with the compact machines throwing themselves into the corners and proving that age is certainly no barrier to speed.

Nick Davidson produced one of the standout performances of the day in his Zakspeed Escort where his consistency and determined driving throughout the event earned him the coveted Driver of the Day accolade. Davidson was also involved in a particularly entertaining battle for line honours, keeping the pressure on throughout the day as the Escorts, Mustangs and other historic machinery fought for class supremacy.
The Retro Classic Cars added another fascinating dimension to the programme, with everything from lightweight Lotus machinery to Porsche and Corvette power taking to the track. It was a wonderful mixture of styles and eras, proving that there is no single recipe for going fast.

The EP Modified Saloons delivered a completely different brand of entertainment, with a strong contingent of visiting drivers joining the local competitors and ensuring that there was no shortage of action.
When the dust settled, it was Ian Riddle who emerged as the star of the show, taking overall honours in his VW SupaPolo. Riddle was anything but comfortable at the front, however, with Gerald Beech applying relentless pressure in his Chevrolet Camaro. The pair provided a compelling battle at the sharp end of the field, with neither driver willing to surrender an inch.

Behind them, the rest of the field was equally determined, producing the close racing and hard-fought battles that have become a trademark of the regional saloon category.
From roaring V8s and legendary Fords to motorcycles, modern saloons and the colourful Western Province GTI Challenge, the event offered something for virtually every motorsport enthusiast. More importantly, it demonstrated that historic and classic racing is far from being a museum exercise. These cars may have been built decades ago, but once they hit the circuit, they remain every bit as competitive, spectacular and entertaining as ever.

Aldo Scribante Raceway provided the perfect stage for the celebration, with generations of racing machinery sharing the same piece of tarmac and creating a memorable day for competitors and spectators alike. It was loud, fast, colourful and unapologetically old-school, exactly the way motorsport should be.

Class results were as follows –
Wide Horizon Advanced Training Coastal Challenge
Class A
1st – Rudolf de Vos (Chevrolet Can-Am)
2nd – Franco Donadio (Chevrolet Can-Am)
3rd – Michael Hitchcock (Ford Mustang)

Class B
1st – Louis Powell (Ford Escort)
2nd – Nick Davidson (Ford Escort)
3rd – Aldo Scribante (Ford Sierra XR8)

Class C
1st – Steven Phillips (BMW E36)
2nd – Rane Berry (Nissan Skyline)
3rd – Tom Hugo (Nissan Skyline)

Class D
1st – Pat Fourie (Nissan Maxima)
2nd – Sydney Lippstreu (Toyota Celica)

Class E
1st – Johann Coetzer (Ford Escort)
2nd – Johan Marais (Opel Rekord)
3rd – Brent Watts (Ford Escort)

Class X
1st – Deon Conradie (Toyota Conquest RSI)
2nd – Brendan Smith (Ford Escort)
3rd – Daniel Lotter (Ford Escort)

Retro Classic Cars
1st – Alwyn Kretzmann (Lotus 7)
2nd – Andrew Honeywell (Porsche 944)
3rd – Robin Forbes (Chevrolet Corvette Stingray)

All Ford Race
1st – Michael Stephen (Ford Capri Perana)
2nd – Michael Hitchcock (Ford Mustang)
3rd – Nick Davidson (Ford Escort)

300cc Motorcycles
1st – Brandon Willemse

600cc Motorcycles
1st – Zander Taljaard
2nd – Jordan Saayman

Street & Fine Cars
1st – Quinsley Sale (Honda Jazz)
2nd – Arnold Lambert (Ford Anglia)
3rd – Tania Wagner (VW Polo)