1. society
2. unrest and war

The
E-BLOWER
Vol. 22
The (un)official voice of the WPMC.
Managing editor: IM Nobody
Chief Sub-ed: Robin P Emslie
Art Director: J Colin Brown.
Bike rep and Hells Angel lookalike: Dave Abrahams.
War Correspondent: Jo King.
Additional WW2 News: Wendy Monk
Editorial.
Let’s start the year’s first (and biggest ever), E-Blower by welcoming our new sponsors, Bold Marine
(GTi Challenge), Cars Unlimited (Fine Cars), and of course Crossley and Webb (Sports and GT Cars), who
feature in our Meet the Sponsors intro after this editorial. They will all be joining the regulars, Mike
Hopkins (Motorcycles), Midas (Clubman Cars), Makita (Formula Supercars), Mutlu Batteries (Classic
Cars), and Wingfield Motors, the headline sponsors of the full Power Series.
We have some interesting info about the group that is hoping to promote a world championship F1
race in the Cape. Incidentally, these guys have been working on the project for more than six years and
whether we agree with them or not, they deserve credit for their dedication and tenacity.
Then there’s more bad news about the Kyalami setup. However while we name a couple
of other motormen who have been in trouble, there’s no follow-up story about the
former CEO of Motorsport SA big bad Francois Pretorius who resigned (very) suddenly a
while back. Maybe later.
However there certainly is a breath of fresh air wafting around our club’s relationship
with the Cape Town City Council.
We also have some interesting off-beat motorsport history to illustrate how unfair life can be. Like
when a good guy – and a South African Grand Prix winner nogal -- can be incarcerated for almost five
years, while in more recent times a far more violent character who is a former F1 driver -- escapes with
warnings and suspended sentences.
Sadly, we end with a farewell message and three obituaries.
Meet the sponsors:
Crossley and Webb.
The Crossley and Webb three wheel Morgan lookalike was in high speed action during our Passion for
Speed meeting ferrying Alderman JP Smith for a lap or two.
Gareth Crossley and Bryan Webb are the dynamic duo at the helm of the premier motor investment
company Crossley and Webb, the new sponsors of our Sports and GT category. On the business side,
the pair have turned their love for classic and sports cars into more than an investment venture. So
much so that it has become a lifestyle for their clients.
Multiple services are offered from their location across from Wembley Square in the City’s CBD. These
include selling and investing; the car clinic; the ecurie25 club; an international timeshare franchise of
elite membership allowing access to over 50 cars like Lamborghini and Rolls Royce; and glass car
storage along with conference rooms and the Truth coffee bar.
When asked about a motor investment, Gareth Crossley replied:
“A motor investment or motoring investment is an allocation of a portion of someone’s investment
portfolio to alternative investments of passions such as classics and sports cars. These motoring
investments have grown in popularity due to the poor performance of conventional investments.”
Bryan and I identified the need for a platform to promote motoring investments as there was a huge
gap between the knowledge of European and South African collectors, which resulted in most of the
finest South African investment-grade classics, finding their way overseas.
Our key target market at Crossley and Webb consists of motoring enthusiasts who have bought modern
sports cars in the past and have begun to realize that with the correct advice and knowledge they do
not always have to lose money on a sports car. We provide a professional entry point for these clients
into the classic and collectable segment.”
The Extreme Festival .
We’ve mentioned before that as a lifestyle publication, the E-Blower
rambles on in its own fashion and doesn’t carry hard news. However there
are always exceptions.
Like the unique Extreme Festival sponsored by Wingfield Motors at
Killarney on April 11, that includes a round of the national championship.
And the main attraction on the track that day is going to be to see how
the Production Cars function under their new rules.
These incorporate a merger of the two classes, with the smaller – and
previously slower – class T guys now being allowed unlimited suspension
modification. They may also fit larger wheels and increase their turbo
boost.
The result was that a class T Chev Cruze turbo won the first
race during the opening round at Zwartkops, with all wheel
drive Audis claiming the other two. The FWD turbo entries
are expected to fare better on the less abrasive surface at
Killarney. It should be a close one.
There are going to be other events for national Midas
Formula Ford Duratec and Engen Volkswagen Cup categories, as well as Power Series races for Midas
Clubman Cars, Crossley and Webb Sports and GT Cars, Makita Formula Supercars and V8 Masters and
Mike Hopkins Superbikes.
But we’re really going to push the Festival angle. As illustrated above, this includes a pair of Engen
Extreme Simulators complete with racing seats, full controls and a live action screen that are going to
be open to the (younger) public. Other live action will include dyno runs and a spectacular air show by
model planes and helicopters.
There are also going to be exhibitions of original American style hotrods, classic cars and racing and
sports cars, motorcycles, karts, drifting demos, a show ‘n shine and a sound-off, as well as a variety of
stalls.
And at the Trackside Pub and Grill there’ll even be a blind DJ who sings.
A Grand Prix in Cape Town? You’ve got to be kidding!
The Sunday Times paid us a visit last month while researching a story about a bid to stage a F1 Grand
Prix on a street circuit in Green Point. Now the Times man Farren Collins, had obviously been talking to
the organizers and knew far more about their plans than we did.
He seemed disappointed with our views about the cost of such an event being difficult to justify. So
although our Executive Manager Des Easom was quoted briefly, far more space was devoted to Dave
Kirkman who was said to be the spokesperson for the East London circuit. He was lyrical about the first
GP he attended in that town in 1962, when he was just 10 years old.
Ironically, our group included Cedric Selzer who brought out the F1 Lotus team in 1962, that included
future double F1 world champion Jim Clark and Trevor Taylor. Both drivers competed in the South
African Grand Prix Series, with the team winning all four events. Somewhat surprisingly, Selzer’s views
were not quoted in the article.
Seeking official approval for their event, the bid committee presented their proposal to MSA earlier this
month. Inside information has it that our controlling body is not supporting this bid.
Although the Sunday Times headline claimed Cape Town was in pole position to become the Monaco of
Africa, many feel nothing could be further from the truth. The European event survives because of its
history and the undeniable glamour attached to it. However the circuit winds through the Principality’s
narrow streets and is an anachronism totally unsuited to any modern Formula 1 promotion.
The proposed Cape Town venue that skirts the Green Point Common, could be better compared with
Melbourne’s Albert Park. Visually however it is far more imposing. Set in the shadow of a world
heritage site it will be scenically easily the most beautiful F1 circuit in the world, should everything fall
into place.
The long straights and hyperfast corners along the beach front will add to the excitement, while having
the cars negotiate a series of hairpins tighter than anything at Monaco, inside the Cape Town Stadium,
is unique.
On the subject of ocean front racing venues in this south western tip of Africa, several of the world’s
top drivers of the pre-WW2 era who were here for the first Grosvenor Grand Prix in 1937 became
convinced that a street circuit starting on the beach road in Camps Bay and continuing up along the
high level Camps Bay Drive, before coming down Kloof Road past the historic old Round House, would
be far better than the artificial Pollsmoor circuit they were about to compete on.
Fortunately the Pollsmoor venture was controlled by AO Edwards, a shrewd and experienced British
businessman, and the drivers proposal was never taken seriously.
Getting back to the present, despite the 2009 British Grand Prix attracting a record 310,000 spectators
over the four days, the Silverstone Formula 1 event still only just breaks even. And this with the cost of
a decent grandstand ticket averaging around four hundred pounds.
The Australian race, funded by the state of Victoria, continues to lose money at the unhappy tax payers
expense, while the F1 circuit in Turkey went out of business a couple of years ago.
According to the WPMC, the club that supplied the venue for the last two Grands Prix in the Cape in the
early 1960’s, the current costs are mindboggling. The latest estimate for assembling and dismantling all
the temporary infrastructure for a F1 event on a street circuit is around R750 million. The average fee
paid to Bernie Ecclestone, to host a F1 race 2011 was 17 million pounds. This escalated at 10% pa and
would be in the region of R430 million by 2015. Of course, the roads are also going to have to be closed
for weeks beforehand – as well as for some time afterwards.
In addition there are significant costs involved in the actual running of a F1 race (and supporting
events). These include access control, safety measures, staffing, electronics, crowd management and
logistics.
As far as the income is concerned the organizers are only entitled to money from ticket sales. The large
amounts accruing from the television rights, catering and advertising, go to the international licence
holders.
Despite that, although no names or other details have been divulged, the organizers have apparently
assured the Sunday Times and MSA they have a major sponsor in place.
Of course, since then the German Grand Prix has been cancelled, while it is generally agreed the
Australian event did F1 a power of no good. The headline in Britain’s iconic Autosport magazine
claimed that: “F1 reached a new low in Melbourne.”
The Fogg hangs heavy over Kyalami.
According to Noseweek (and our industrious colleague Gavin Foster), former South African motorcycle
champion Mike Fogg, who was awarded his Springbok colours in 1972, took umbrage when he was
accused of hijacking the once magnificent old Roy Hesketh circuit near Pietermaritzburg.
Below: That’s Mike serving the drinks – but don’t let the smile fool you.
The skinder-storie continues and documents Fogg’s prominent association with
the infamous Theodosiou brothers during their joint involvement in the mess at
Kyalami. According to Richard Pollock, the Kyalami liquidator, Fogg also
attempted to claim R76 million from the estate as he said he had a right to
purchase the complex for R129 million (it was eventually sold for R205 million).
Then there’s another claim for R53 million for dividends that he said were for
development rights.
Pollock says Fogg has no proven claims against the estate. “I have been clear
and upfront with him. If he has rights he needs to institute action to prove them
because nobody is prepared to acknowledge them or believe they exist. ”
“He tried to claim that Jim Redman was still the trustee of the MJF Trust and the Theodosiou brothers
never were. If what he is saying is that he still controls the trust, then he’s perjured himself in
documentation and in court.”
Now while motorsport (sadly), doesn’t have many major sponsors left at national level, everything
needs to be done to keep the sport clean, to retain those still with us and impress others we hope will
become involved in the future.
Unfortunately our recreational preference has had its full share of bad guys, as has been documented
in earlier E-Blowers. The problem is that while a new sponsor in any sport is loudly and proudly
acknowledged, if that organization leaves because of any dissatisfaction, their departure usually takes
place quietly and without any fanfare.
Of course Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong and Oscar Pistorius were too newsworthy to button down.
The internet was soon alive to the fact that Armstrong had lost eight major sponsors in just one day.
But closer to home, there are cases like the Standard Bank’s multi million rand deal with Cricket South
Africa (CSA), where Jenny Pheiffer, head of the bank’s brand and sponsorship in SA, became involved.
The problem arose when Gerald Majola the former head knocker at CSA was adjudged to have been
involved in a scandal over improper and excessive bonus payments made to himself. This was as a
result of the profits from the IPL that was unexpectedly dumped on South Africa after hassles with
venues in other parts of the world. Majola had nothing to do with the IPL’s relocation and therefore
allegedly had no right to any bonus.
Although the bank’s association with cricket had been creative and productive until then, they didn’t
hesitate to lower their flags and walk away quietly after that embarrassing incident.
The Good, the Bad and the Misplaced Justice!
Dr Mazzacurati was a wealthy Italian immigrant who settled in Cape Town in the early 1930’s. An
excellent driver who raced under the name of “Mario,” he owned a variety of exotic cars that were
maintained and stored at his famous “Eagle Racing Stable” near Pollsmoor.
Incidentally the ERS was operated by a member of the current E-Blower team for some time during the
1960’s.
Mario had four rear mounted starter motors to get his supercharged Maserati 6C off the line at Pollsmoor in 1937.
Anyway, Mario first achieved stardom when he drove a Bugatti 35B to victory in the first South African
GP in East London in 1936. He then made a mistake by acquiring one of the controversial supercharged
3.7 litre Maserati 6C’s, for the 1937 season. The car was temperamental, handled badly and was never
a success. Switching to a smaller supercharged 1.5-litre Maserati he finished third in the 1939 SA Grand
Prix.
When WW2 broke out in 1939, although they were innocent of any wrongdoing, Mazzacurati and many
other Italians and Germans living in South Africa were rounded up and confined to barbed wire
Internment Camps for the duration of the war.
But Mario wasn’t the kind of guy who was prepared to sit around for five years with not even Jeremy
Clarkson’s Top Gear show to watch. So he got together with four of his countrymen and they hatched a
daring escape plan.
The first step was for them to fake an illness. This enabled them to hijack the Government Garage car
with its GC registration that was taking them to the Kimberley Military Hospital for treatment. With
Mario at the wheel they then began a long high speed journey to Swaziland - where Mario had business
interests - with Portuguese East Africa scheduled as their final destination.
And it almost worked. Unfortunately they were eventually intercepted at a road block on the Swazi
border, manned by a single armed policeman. One of the Italians was shot and killed as they attempted
to escape into the bush, while the others were all recaptured. Sadly, Mario was then forced to spend
the balance of the war years under tight security.
At the other end of the scale, because Jos Verstappen’s son Max is the youngest ever F1 driver, the pair
have been receiving copious media coverage. Of course Jos was well known before this. He and Michael
Schumacher were partners during their early F1 days at Benetton, after which he went on to drive for
several other F1 teams. He also won his class in the Le Mans 24 Hour Race.
However there’s his reputation as a quick tempered bruiser. He has appeared in court for assaulting
Max’s mother (now his ex-wife), sending her threatening text messages and violating a previous
restraining order. He was fined and received a three month suspended sentence.
He had previously been convicted of assault over an incident at a kart meeting in which the other guy
was left with a fractured skull. Jos was handed a five year suspended sentence.
Then there were allegations that he assaulted his new girl-friend. He claimed he had only had a
discussion with her. However he was later arrested on an attempted murder charge following
allegations that he deliberately drove his car into her. He was released two weeks later when the
charges were withdrawn.
The loving couple then got together again and they were married last year. They have a daughter
named Blue Jaye.
Now that may be a touching ending – but if you compare the full stories, where’s the justice?
Remember the Steel Rodeo?
Two of the most spectacular items during the Steel Rodeo we staged at Killarney some 20 plus years
ago included the enthusiastic reaction to the Wet T-Shirt competition that was held on the lawn in
front of the Clubhouse’s original patio. One large gent became so aroused by what was being exhibited
that he climbed out onto the asbestos roof to get a better view of the contestants. Unfortunately the
sheeting collapsed under his weight and he came crashing down onto the braai fire underneath. It was
even more exciting than the contest he was watching.
But the best of all was the motorcycle long jump competition over a long high ramp we set up on the
start / finish straight, opposite the clubhouse. Now although there were some excellent performances
that day, George Liebschen’s spectacular effort eclipsed them all. George had a reputation as a bit of a
showman, so when he hit the ramp at high speed he decided to pull a wheelie to create an even greater
effect.
Unfortunately he misjudged both the speed and angle, with the result that his bike completed a perfect
back somersault before flying off the side of the ramp. Meanwhile George continued along his original
line at high speed as he went on to complete the jump on his backside.
Now while there were some who referred to the effort as a “bummer,” the judges were impressed by
his skill and daring. However they decided the distance he covered in the air was not really far enough
to warrant an award.
Now while the story has been told many times over the years, we didn’t have any pictures to illustrate
it. Then when the clubhouse was being cleaned recently, two shots of George in definitive action on
that memorable day were discovered – so here they are.
Our first Development Drivers.
The Western Cape’s first pair of Development Drivers appeared to savour their initial taste of live
action on the main circuit during last month’s opening round of the Power Series, sponsored by
Wingfield Motors.
Controlled and organized by our club, the Development project involved acquiring and setting up two
cars for competition in the one-make Makita Formula Supercar category, with funding provided by our
Lotto allocation.
After interviewing a long list of applicants, the club committee eventually settled on Ashraf Zaid
Fredericks as one of the drivers. A qualified auto electrician, Ashraf’s sporting achievements include
having been selected for the Western Cape Volleyball team. Although a dedicated motorsport
enthusiast, financial considerations have precluded him from active participation until now.
Lady driver Nashrene Schloss was the other
successful applicant. As she points out,
having three older brothers may help explain
her interest in sports traditionally considered
male orientated. Although without any
previous main circuit experience Nashrene
has come through the ranks and has already
progressed from karting to gymkhanas and
drag racing.
Development driver Nashrene Schloss (7) takes to the gravel to avoid
a spinning competitor during round 2 of the Power Series.
After earlier assistance on the track from members of the committee, when the pair made their
competitive debut in an experienced Supercar field at the end of February, Ashraf was in particularly
fine form. So much so that despite a minor blip in the final event, his second fastest class qualification
lap was followed by a performance that earned him an overall Bronze class victory.
Although Nashrene began more cautiously, her best lap in the final race when she actually finished
ahead of Ashraf, was almost five seconds better than what had obviously been no more than a
tentative qualifying time.
We can now look forward to following their progress during the remainder of the season.
And our Bikers on the World Stage.
Each of South Africa’s top international prospects is facing a very tough season in 2015. Our very own David
McFadden will line up on Easter Sunday at Donington Park on an MQ Kawasaki ZX-10R for his debut in the
world’s most competitive national championship, the British Superbike series.
McFlash says he’s looking forward to “an extremely strong championship on some awesome circuits” – but he’ll
have to factor in that at every circuit there will be top riders with home-track advantage, often on tracks he’s
never even seen before. He’ll have to learn fast and be on top of his game at every meeting.
Moto3 Grand Prix star Brad Binder is under an entirely different type of pressure this season. After a very
impressive 2014 campaign on the Mahindra, he’s landed a ride with top KTM outfit Red Bull Ajo, and he’ll be
expected to deliver top-five results from the word go.
He qualified 13th for the season-opener in Qatar and finished 10th – in both cases half a second ahead of teammate Karel Hanika – but will have to move up a gear if he’s looking for the podium positions the bike has proved
it’s capable of.
Former multiple SA Superbike champion Greg Gildenhuys has also been thrown in at the deep end, alongside
David Salom in the Pedercini World Superbike outfit.
He missed the first round at Phillip Island and finished sixteenth in each race in Thailand – more than a minute
behind his team-mate in Race 1 and about 50 seconds adrift in Race 2 on a circuit neither had seen before. He’ll
also have some stepping up to do before the season is much older.
Blips ‘n Pieces.
The Good News is that the suits who control the City of Cape Town are apparently well satisfied with the
measure of social obedience and the curtailment of environmental pollution currently being exercised by the
WPMC at Killarney. The club has adhered to its “good neighbor” pledge, as well as other promises made to the
council last year. Alderman JP Smith who is responsible for Safety and Security on the Mayor’s Mayco committee
that functions as a local cabinet, was one of our guests at the international Passion for Speed meeting and was
actually taken on a lap of the circuit in the Crossley and Webb 3-wheeler pictured at the beginning of this EBlower
In fact, the situation has now swung full circle since the illegal march from Dunoon last year when a spokesman
said the homeless people should be allowed to take over recreational land like Killarney and the Mowbray Golf
Course. Instead, the council is now suggesting we assist them by staging more organized drag meetings at
Killarney. They feel this would help minimize the illegal and uncontrolled street racing that takes place every
weekend in other areas in the Cape and the Club is working towards staging more of these events.
-----------------------------------------------------------------Our curtailment of environmental pollution is not perfect however and we are still having problems
with excess noise. Remember the MSA limit is 105dB and every entry has to be tested before being allowed on
the track. The club values your cooperation in this regard.
-----------------------------------------------------------------We have made application for the timing of the traffics lights at our new exit to be changed over
weekends to ease the congestion there. On the same subject Cedric Selzer tells us that the four lane highway
into Silverstone becomes a one way street on Grand Prix day. In other words, there are four lanes for traffic
approaching the complex during the morning, but with the same four lanes operating in the opposite direction to
help the spectators leave in the afternoon. He says it works perfectly, adding that other problems caused by a
lack of official traffic control have been dealt with by the BRDC appointing their own traffic marshals.
-------------------------------------------------------------We heard (after the event), that the delightful Eddie Jordan, whose Formula 1 team used to be partly
sponsored by Sasol, held his traditional New Year’s bash here in Sea Point on January 16. Now Roger McCleery
and a member of our editorial team were able to attend Irish Eddie’s post-race shindig in the team paddock,
after the 1997 British GP at Silverstone. With a lavish (Irish style), braai and entertainment from a live band that
provided backing for song and dance items from luminaries like Damon Hill and Johnny Herbert, it was a
magnificent party.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cool Hand Hallett deserves something for his third and second places in the Fine Car events during
round two of the Power Series. Yes we know many people do
that, but they have two arms – Steve only has one that is usable.
His race methodology includes changing gear (quickly), with his
single operative hand, while jamming his thighs up against the
steering wheel to keep the Ford pointing in the right direction.
Making his achievement all the more meritorious was the fact that although his aging Sapphire was up
against seven Porsches, only Eric van der Merwe’s 924 turbo finished ahead of him in the second race.
-------------------------------------------------------Richard “Quick” Quixley has admitted that the self-tuned, classic Datsun 240Z he drove in the recent
international Passion for Speed meeting, is not drop dead standard. But while it has a slightly larger capacity
motor and more efficient brakes than the other 240Z in action that day, his qualifying time, that was 14 seconds
quicker, was nonetheless highly impressive.
--------------------------------------------------------The Zwartkops organizers claim that:
•
•
•
•
•
The spectator is our track’s most important visitor.
They are not dependant on us.
They are not an interruption of our racing. They are the purpose of it.
They are not an outsider to our business, they are part of it.
We are not doing them a favour by racing. They are doing us a favour by attending.
Adapted from Mahatma Gandhi. “A consumer is the most important visitor to our premises.”
Zwartkops claim their Motor Racing focus is:
“To take care of the fans and competitors. Our fans are our customers and our greatest asset.”
“To have fans we must sell memories as much as races. If we want crowds, we have to entertain.”
Now we think that’s a philosophy worth endorsing.
------------------------------------------------------Unfortunately it compares rather badly with Dave Abrahams’ secondary headline that appeared in the
Drivetimes , after the recent opening round of the Power Series:
”Bikers heartily sick of car drivers who spill oil all over the track.”
And so are the spectators. Especially when racing is held up for
long periods while bent bikes (as seen here), are removed and the
marshals have to really graft as they clean all the oil off the
circuit.
---------------------------------------------------------Heard the one about Lewis Hamilton’s proposal that Mercedes pay him a million pounds (R19
million), a week? OK it’s probably just a rumour – even Wayne Rooney, Britain’s top soccer player, only
gets 300,000 pounds a week. Anyway Lewis is currently involved in money talks with Merc’s
motorsport boss Toto Wolff and Nicky Lauda. We’re looking forward to hearing how they pan out.
---------------------------------------------With a near record entry for the second round of the Power Series
on March 14, the Killarney faithful were undeterred by a few
minor counter attractions here in the Cape on the same day.
This despite the fact that these included the rugby at Newlands
(only 42,000 turned up), the outdoor Getaway Show, the Cape
Town One Colour Festival and the giant Cape Town Carnival in
Green Point. There was even a 24-Hour yacht race at nearby
Rietvlei and preparations for the international Absa Cape Epic mountain bike race.
_________________________
We think the idea of combining the V8 Masters with the Makita Formula Supercars (well
they are members of the same family), during the national Extreme Festival on April 11 has merit.
However we do understand it is only a trial run so we’re interested in seeing how it pans out.
On the subject of family connections, we also have the Mutlu Battery Classics who are related to the
Cars Unlimited Fine Cars. Just a thought.
---------------------------------------------Those who spend time in that place where you hook your heels on a rail while resting your arms on the
counter, will join us in congratulating Adrian Spies (he’s the one who claims to be the youngest Adrian
at Killarney), on his promotion to FOH Manager, while Seth van Zyl becomes the head barman at our
Trackside Pub and Grill.
------------------------------------------------
Goodbye, it’s been good to know ya.
The only pic we have of Dieter is this easily recognizable profile shot that appeared in the Autumn 2000 issue of
The Blower
A loyal club member since 1964, Dieter Huckstedt has finally moved back to
Germany, the land of his birth, to enjoy his retirement there. A man who adhered
to strict principles, Dieter was always willing to serve the club providing he
perceived his action was the correct thing to do.
This applied particularly to the kart section where he devoted valuable time to
locating and importing a variety of kart spares. These even extended to complete Yamaha kart engines
from international sources. He would then offer them to members for no more than his cost price.
He went on to found the 125cc gearbox kart class in 1983, before moving across to the main circuit to
maintain his daughter’s Clubman Golf.
A member of the VIP Lounge, a typical example of Dieter’s unwavering personal code came to light
there a while back when he refused to accept a tot of Captain Morgan rum and said he only drank Red
Heart.
Aware they might be fighting a losing battle, the staff did their best: “But Jackie Pretorius told us there
was nothing better than Captain Morgan, and we know all the national drivers drink it. And we’ve
tasted both brands and can’t tell the difference.“
“I don’t care about Jackie Pretorius and you guys know nothing about rum anyway. I demand a Red
Heart.”
So if you’re a rum drinker enjoying the hospitality on the top floor of the Admin building at any time,
remember it will be Red Heart.
We’re going to miss you Dieter. Astrid will be joining Dieter later in the year and she too will be missed.
Obituaries
Peter Burroughes Jnr.
The first full time secretary of the then, rapidly growing Western Province Motor Club, Peter (71), died
on February 19 after a long battle with the big C.
With a father who was a member of the exclusive BRDC (British Racing Drivers Club), before relocating
to Cape Town after WW2, Peter grew up in a strong motorsport atmosphere.
After a grounding in journalism with The Star in Jozies and the Cape Argus, his love of the sport resulted
in him accepting the secretarial position with the WPMC. His next move was to Motoring Mirror where
he found Terry Scott’s off-beat office and business routines vastly different to those of the more
conservative Denis Joubert.
Moving up, he became a PR and marketing consultant and had long spells with Ford, Opel and later
with Nissan. More recently he returned to motorsport, his first love. This included travelling globally
with the doomed AI GP circus and later covering the Dakar Rally for Toyota. More importantly, he
never missed a Killarney national.
We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Gemma, his children and grandchildren.
--------------------------------------------------------------Jean-Pierre Beltoise.
Former French Formula 1 driver JP Beltoise (77) died last month at his holiday home in Dakar, Senegal.
Now although he won the 1972 Monaco Grand Prix in a BRM, there probably aren’t many who still
recall details of his racing history – while the majority of today’s youngsters have probably never even
heard of him.
But there are a couple of us oldies who will never forget the time, during an earlier period in his career,
when he arrived at Killarney in a little known F2 Matra Cosworth. And although the reasons for his
appearance remain vague, he shocked us all when he drove the pants off John Love and all the other
South African hotshots while on his way to victory in a national meeting here.
------------------------------------------------Chris van Dorp.
A longstanding member of the WPMC, we were aware Chris had been ill for some time. However his
death still came as a shock when it occurred only hours after a lengthy discussion he had with club
officials on March 8.
Chris will be remembered for his efforts on the track in his Clubman Escort Sport and we extend our
commiserations to his wife Anna as well as to his children and grandchildren.