THE SPRINGBOK SERIES

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zahistorics
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Re: THE SPRINGBOK SERIES

Post by zahistorics » Tue 07 Oct 2008, 16:33

Lots here: http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en ... n+B8&gbv=2. But other people own the copyright.

There is this one from Wikipedia though:
800px-Chevron_B8_Silverstone_2007.jpg
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".

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Fairlane 500
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Re: THE SPRINGBOK SERIES

Post by Fairlane 500 » Thu 23 Oct 2008, 01:07

I was thinking about the up-coming event to be held at Kyalami, being this 9 hour revival race. To me this is no revival. If they want to put on a revival then why not hold a proper 9 hour race with International cars? They can have a whole weekend of it. On the Saturday they race all the Historic classes and then on the Sunday they have the main race - The Nine Hour.

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henryk
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Re: THE SPRINGBOK SERIES

Post by henryk » Thu 23 Oct 2008, 08:58

Do I spy the Z181 Perana of Bob Olthoff in the background behind the Chevrons?
Escort's Forever !

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Killarney Racer
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Re: THE SPRINGBOK SERIES

Post by Killarney Racer » Thu 23 Oct 2008, 11:54

Hi Henry - correct - the Perana was there.

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zahistorics
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Re: THE SPRINGBOK SERIES

Post by zahistorics » Thu 23 Oct 2008, 14:41

500: In principle I like the idea of a 'real' 9 Hour, but a long enduro like that is hard as hell on cars, and a lot of wear an tear.

In terms of track time 9 hours racing is equivalent to 18 half hours, which is more than annual season's worth of racing. The difference is you don't get to stop and strip down engines to check for signs of wear and spot potential problems before they become major. You can't stop half way and pop in a new set of bearing shells. You can't even change the oil or filters.

In terms of risk that is probably OK if you are running modern stuff and you can go and buy a new engine if you break a rod and hole the block. But with some of the old cars there are no replacements - break the block or something and it is game over - you can't go back in time.

I am not saying these rare and valuable cars should become trailer queens, but it is a case of managing the risk. I think some people may be discouraged from participating when there are large risks. I'd rather see large entries for shorter races than a tiny field for a full 9 hour race.

The format used these days in many endoro revivals of around an hour per class is great. It allows a decent amount of racing, but with time between heats to do some maintenance.

Another great advantage is that cars can then be grouped by era which is great for the view, both for spectating and photography. You don't get a 1950s Jauguar, for example, fighting a corner in the same view as a 1970s Porsche, or even worse a VW Sirocco.

Kyalami are following the format used in Europe which seems to work well.

Another thing to remember is that we are getting back to a whole series again Kyalami - East London - Zwartkops - Killarney (mmm... Roy Hesketh, Bulawayo, Maputo - where are you...). Overseas entrants are being encouraged to bring their cars over in November and keep them here till February. And slowly a few are doing so. Now if Kyalami, the first race in the series was a car breaker then either those cars would break, and be gone for the rest of the series, or they would arrive late - possibly after Christmas. Arriving after Christmas does not help East London's cause at all.

What do the rest of you think?

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Hi-Fi
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Re: THE SPRINGBOK SERIES

Post by Hi-Fi » Thu 23 Oct 2008, 15:56

Huh? Where do you see the Olthoff Capri?

I think you are spot on there John. As much as we all would love to see a full 9 Hour, 3 Hour, etc., it wouldn't be feasible with the old machinery.

The only way something like this would work is to have the modern boys out with their Peugeots, Audis and Ligiers being backed up by the Astons, Chevs and Porsches, but man, that will cost a packet to stage.

500 has the right idea and it would be great, but..... who knows what the future may hold?

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Fairlane 500
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Re: THE SPRINGBOK SERIES

Post by Fairlane 500 » Thu 23 Oct 2008, 18:35

I see your points of view and understand them. What if the oil companies had to sponsor an new Springbok series? They seem to have all the money in the world, or even the insurance companies. We have to pay lots for running of our cars and we have to pay lots to insure them and our lives, so why can't they give back to the sport?

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zahistorics
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Re: THE SPRINGBOK SERIES

Post by zahistorics » Thu 23 Oct 2008, 19:18

If ZA can get the A1GP to come and Superbikes to come then surely we can arrange a Sports car race or two.

By all accounts the European drivers love to get away from the winter and come to Sunny SA.

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Druss
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Re: THE SPRINGBOK SERIES

Post by Druss » Thu 23 Oct 2008, 20:08

If ZA can get the A1GP to come and Superbikes to come
John are you saying that SBK (SuperBikes - Like Haga and Corser ext) is coming to ZA?

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Hi-Fi
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Re: THE SPRINGBOK SERIES

Post by Hi-Fi » Thu 23 Oct 2008, 20:08

Who knows? Maybe if the bikes and A1can really pull it out of the bag there may well be something in the future. I would love for the Le Mans cars to come here and there isn't a reason why they can't........except da bucks! If they did make it here there would be some tracks they wouldn't be allowed to race on for obvious reasons, but it may jack a lot of clubs up to do something positive with their facilities and the promotion thereof.

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