The seventh round of the Border Motorsport Club Championship delivered its fair share of thrilling racing, impressive performances and, unfortunately, a frightening high-speed accident at the East London Grand Prix Circuit on Saturday.
What had been an exciting day of motorsport came to an abrupt and dramatic halt during the third heat of the Modified Saloon class when Gareth Hewitt, driving his Volkswagen Golf GTI, encountered oil on the racing line at the notorious Rifle Bend.

Travelling at approximately 220km/h, Hewitt lost control of his machine and was sent hurtling off the circuit in a spectacular accident. The Golf GTI cartwheeled approximately six times, with the impact so severe that the engine was ripped from the vehicle and debris scattered across the surrounding area.
In what can only be described as a remarkable escape, Hewitt managed to walk away from the mangled wreckage unscathed. The incident served as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with high-speed circuit racing, while also highlighting the importance of properly constructed safety equipment. The integrity of the car’s well-built roll cage undoubtedly played a crucial role in protecting the driver during the violent sequence of impacts.

Following the incident, the racing action came to an end, bringing an early conclusion to the day’s programme.
Despite the dramatic finish, spectators who turned out to support the local competitors were treated to some excellent racing across the various categories, with drivers and riders delivering plenty of competitive action.
One of the standout performances of the day came from Jody van Zummeren, who appears to have finally banished the mechanical gremlins that had plagued his impressive V8-powered Chevrolet Camaro.
The powerful machine looked to be back in its element, with van Zummeren putting together a strong performance to claim overall honours in the Modified Saloon category. His result will undoubtedly provide a welcome confidence boost as the championship heads towards its final stages.

There was also plenty to celebrate in the Historic and Classic category, where Martin van Zummeren produced an impressive performance behind the wheel of his Nissan 350ZX, an ex-Hennie van der Linde racing machine. Van Zummeren proved to be the competitor to beat, securing victory in the class.

The motorcycle category provided its own share of competitive action, with Pierre le Roux producing a standout ride to take class honours amid some tough opposition. The two-wheeled competitors once again demonstrated the skill, commitment and determination required to extract maximum performance from their machines around the challenging high-speed circuit.

Attention now turns to one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the local motorsport calendar.
The iconic Border 100 takes place at the East London Grand Prix Circuit on 12 December, promising another exciting opportunity for motorsport enthusiasts to experience the sights and sounds of competitive racing.
With the Border Motorsport Club Championship delivering plenty of action throughout the season, anticipation will be building for another memorable day at this historic racing venue.

ROUND 7 CLASS RESULTS

MODIFIED SALOONS
Class A
1st – Jody van Zummeren
Class B
1st – Shaun Gradwell
2nd – Darren Schultz
3rd – Gareth Hewitt
Class C
1st – Steven Kieber
2nd – Paul Berry
3rd – Devesh Reddy
Class E
1st – Lincoln Randall
2nd – Tristin Naidoo
3rd – Beverley Rose

HISTORICS & CLASSICS
Class A
1st – Martin van Zummeren
2nd – Mike Forsyth
Class B
1st – Chris Landman
Class C
1st – Andrew Karshagen
2nd – Carl Fantham
Class E
1st – Neil Hagemann

MOTORCYCLES
Class A
1st – Pierre le Roux
Class B
1st – Gerrie Havenga
2nd – Alvandre Jegals
3rd – Redd Scholtz
Class C
1st – Ancel Jegals
Class D
1st – Quinton Wucherpfennig