Formula GTi

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For the 2010 season, Formula GTi will undergo it's first radical technical change since the formula's inception in 1988.

The existing carburettor engines, will be joined by the 2E Fuel Injected engine, and as from the 2011 season, only the the 2E engine will be eligeable.

The 2E engines, mount to the Formula GTi chassis, in the same manner as the carburettor engine, and they are all built to the same specification, by renowned engine builder Sarel Eloff - 8Valve Performance.

Essentially a standard engine, expected power is expected to be +/- 5hp more than the carburettor engine.

Some of the benefits for using the new engine:-

* A single reliable source for the supply & maintenance of our race engines.
* Increased HP from 92 to 96HP on the wheels. +/-
* Equal HP for all competitors - as the Fi Engines are sealed.
* The new engine is a stock engine, it is thus a common base from which to modify, for more power in future if/when required
* Similar engine characteristics for everybody, as the same engine map applies to all, thus, accelleration, drive-ability will be the same.
* Improved Reliability, as the engine is stock standard, and rev limited to 7400rpm.
* A spare engine will be available at all the races.
* Legality:- The unpleasantness of accusations about engine legality will be eliminated.
* Improved handling of the car through a smoother engine response and less vibration.
* Improved aerodynamics and weight distribution through the removal of the “exterior” 13kg carbs and air filter.
* With very few of the current members/drives, being technicallly inclined, the new engine is the answer.
* Improved reliabilty will result in more competitive racing, larger entries, and ultimately more interest in Formula GTi as an entry-level yet fast and competitive privateer single seater series.

On Friday 6 Nov, Formula GTi arrived at the Big-Z for the final race, and championship decider of the 2009 Championship season.
With Corrie Volschenk trailing Chris Vermaak by 8 points, and Oliver Calkoen comfortable in 3rd place, no one was prepared to bet on the final outcome!

Saturday dawned cloudy, after torrential rain washed the circuit clean of all fridays's practice rubber.

With qualifying a joined Formula Ford and Formula GTi affair, the action on the circuit was hectic, and the final result was pole to de la Rey, followed by Rod Johnston, Corrie Volschenk and Chris Vermaak.

Race 1 at 11.30, under clear skies, saw Johnston and Vermaak follow de la Rey into turn one, with Calkoen on Vermaaks tail. At this point all I can say is that I had to work hard for the win, Rod was relentless in pursuing me, and trying to force a mistake. The race was red flagged, and the final result was de la Rey, Johnston, Vermaak. Corrie Volschenk suffered a broken gearbox, and finished a distant 7th. The points gap to Vermaak now 18 points!

Race 2 at 4pm. Corrie Volschenk loaned a gearbox from Jay Naidoo, to replace his faulty unit, and Corrie made it to the grid with minutes to spare. Off the line de la Rey was followed by Rod Johnston, and a storming start by Corrie, to slot into 3rd, but halfway around the lap the race was aborted due to a stalled car on the grid. The 2nd start, and de la Rey had too much wheelspin, Rod drew alongside, and braking for the hairpin, Rod took the lead, followed by de la Rey, and Calkoen. A small gap opened to the rest of the pack, and at times a blanket could cover the 1st three cars. On lap 8, de la Rey pulled over with clutch failure, and Calkoen was trying his best to force his way past Johnston. On the last lap, a slowing backmarker turned into Johnston, displacing his nosecone, but Rod still managed to stay ahead of Calkoen, to take the win, and the Overall win for the day. Corrie Volschenk finished 3rd, ahead of Chris Vermaak, who stayed out of trouble to win his 2nd Formula GTi championship in succession.

1 Chris Vermaak 169pts
2 Corrie Volschenk 154pts
3 Olivier Calkoen 142pts
4 Rod Johnston 125pts
5 Gerrit de la Rey 120pts
6 Wesley Orr 80pts
7 JP Nortje 74pts
8 Elna Croeser 52pts
9 Lushen Ramchander 41pts
10 Gordon Connelly 34pts

More on the results Page

Race Calendar 2010

27 February Zwartkops
20 March Phakisa
24 April Kyalami
01 May Phakisa
19 June Midvaal
24 July Zwartkops
28 August Phakisa
25 September Zwartkops

Wesley takes Pole, but young Olivier does the Double!
After setting a blistering pole time in the Bravo Holdings Ray, Wesley Orr led the 1st race, until suspension failure dropped him out of the race. In the mean time young Olivier Calkoen, being slow off the grid was having an awesome race and passed Chris Vermaak and Corrie Volschenk to take his 1st win in Formula GTi. Rod Johnston had a storming race from the back after stalling on the grid to finish 4th, with Elna Croeser in 5th, despite no rear brakes.

Race 2 saw Corrie and Rod lead the way, but a false start was called, and the race was restarted. On the restart Corrie led the way, but Olivier was piling on the pressure, and on lap nine he made his move to take the lead and his 2nd race win.

Needless to say Olivier duly deserved the BRAVO Holdings Driver of the Day Award, and the set or Carrera race tyres.

Wesley Orr and Gordon Connely gave Bravo Holdings a 1-2 Overall result, whilst Corrie Volschenk extended his championship lead with a 4th and 3rd place. Olivier Kalkoen impressed once again with a brilliant race in the 2nd heat - starting from the back with no 1st gear to finish 4th. Newcomer Brandon Waugh, qualified well only to be caught out by the startline procedure. Current Champ, Chris Vermaak, Qualified 3rd, only .5 off Wesley's pole time. Results here.