SAMCAR – “Everything Else Is Only a Game”
“Rolling Thunder” In South Africa
The History
The 26 year history of the SAMCAR and WesBank motor racing series has always produced speed, power, excitement, spectacular racing and probably the best entertainment on 4 wheels in South Africa.
In 1993 the SAMCAR committee took a brave decision and introduced the WesBank V8 racing, with 500 hp which was to sport a brand new look, technical changes and the view was to put a fresh and exciting series together. The engine packages would come from both Ford and Chevrolet and would be producing 550 hp, and split into two classes, a GT1 class with fuel injection and GT2 with carburetors.
The cars would have the Mustang, Jaguar, Corvette and Camaro style looks and would be taken up by the various teams. Currently this is the biggest field of American V8 engine cars to race outside of the USA.
The stalwarts of our series are Brian Cook, the driving force of the SAMCAR association from inception. Larry Wilford, current chairman and manager of the Fuchs Titan racing team, Willie Hepburn at the young age of 64, famous for his Ford V8 and popularly known as the ‘Animal’, and still a steady competitor competes favourably against the young brigade.
GoodYear, has been the official supplier of controlled tyres to our series throughout the V8 era, and a contingency sponsor of the TV package.But as with all things evolution has come and NOW……
| NEW LOOK FOR WESBANK V8 RACING CARS IN 2010 |
| South Africa’s fastest racing saloon cars – the WesBank V8’s – will have a new look for 2010.
“There will be new body styles and a new affordable budget class joining the current 300 kmh cars in our Formula,” says Larry Wilford, Chairman of the WesBank V8 Association. “This is done with a few purposes in mind. To increase even more the entertainment value and excitement our 300 kmh cars generate at circuits all over South Africa and to encourage more talented youngsters to our racing.” |
“Body styles have been looked at in detail and we are going to use cars that are more familiar to the public. All will be fitted with either Ford or Chev 6-litre V8 engines.”
“After one of our closest fought WesBank V8 Championships in 2009 with races won by fractions of a second and a championship decided in the last two laps of the season, we are introducing two classes for 2010.”
“The current vehicles will remain and will be called the ‘Super GT’s’. These cars produce 450 kW (600 HP) and rev to 7000 rpm, except on the East London Grand Prix Circuit where they will be electronically adjusted to rev to 7200 rpm so as not to run out of revs at 300 kmh.”
“New is the ‘GT’ Budget Class using similar V8 engines with softer camshafts developing 420 kW and limited to 6800 rpm.”
“The rest of the specification is the same as the Super GTs with a 4-speed Jerico gearbox and a Detroit locker differential, both designed to handle the massive power and torque available in these 1200 kg racing cars.”
“This GT Class should see a rebirth of drivers and cars that have raced in the past, plus newcomers from other formulae who want to move up to more powerful saloon cars.” says Wilford.
Cost of buying these Super GT cars will be in the region of R500 000-00. GT cars go for R300 000-00 plus running costs, which includes spares, mechanics and travelling costs.
“We have Blue-Chip sponsors in V8 Racing. WesBank has been our partner for 26 years. Goodyear has supplied slick racing tyres and a tyre service at the circuits for a similar time, whilst Sasol has been our fuel sponsor for the last decade.”
The 2010 season starts at Kyalami on Saturday 20th February and then will visit Cape Town, P.E., East London, Zwartkops and Welkom during the year.
“Everything Else Is Only a Game”
