Although we have just entered the second half of the year, the 2017 Investchem Formula Ford Kent Championship is still in its early days. The competitors make their way down to Phakisa Freeway outside Welkom on Saturday, 8 July for the third round of the season which forms part of the Freeze State Single Seater GP.
With two of the seven rounds completed, Dean Venter (Desco SA / Manitou Swift) has opened up a nine-point lead at the head of the championship table. Defending champion Andrew Horne (Xena Chemicals / Budd Power van Diemen) is next up with David Jermy (Jacquet Racing van Diemen) just two points further back.
Nine points behind the leading trio, Jeff Gable (Jacquet Racing van Diemen) leads another group of three drivers. He is three points ahead of Jonathan Nash (Matt Nash Motorsport Swift) with Duncan Vos (Ecurie Zoo Swift) in sixth place.
While the battle at the front of the pack at Phakisa will almost certainly be among these drivers, the entry list also contains Allen Meyer (Van Diemen), former champion Graham Hepburn (Suburban Body Shop van Diemen) and Dalan Holton (Debella Finance van Diemen), any of whom could mount a serious challenge.
It is likely to be fairly cool when the 15-minute qualifying session starts at 08h00 on Saturday, but it should be a little warmer when the opening 8-lap race starts at 10h15. Race 2 is scheduled to get underway at 13h30.