The eagerly anticipated debut of the new Investchem Formula 1600 cars takes place at Killarney Raceway in Cape Town when the 2017 championship gets underway on Saturday, 25 March. The cars, while similar to those that have introduced hundreds of drivers to single-seater racing around the world, have been updated with the addition of front and rear wings modernize their appearance.
It is not just the cars that have changed for 2017. Title sponsors Investchem have injected substantial prize money into the series, with the 2017 champion taking R250 000.00 home. Taking about the new new cars and the prize money, Investchem’s Ian Schofield said, “The visual update was aimed at bringing the appearance of the Investchem Formula 1600 up to a global standard while the prize money involved from this year has a two-fold purpose. It acts as an incentive for racers to deliver their best – and it also helps to subsidise their racing costs.”
2016 Investchem Formula 1600 champion Dewald Brummer will not be defending his title in 2017, he is in the final year of studies for an engineering degree and feels he cannot do justice to both studying and racing, which leave the door open for a new champion. The pre-season favorites are Julian van der Watt and Dean Venter who finished second and third respectively in 2016 although they are not likely to have things all their own way. Both Alex Gillespie and Andrew Schofield have shown serious pace and can run with the leaders while youngsters Stuart White and Cameron O’Connor will be keen to impress.
In class B, for ladies and older drivers, the main protaganists are likely to be Ian Schofield and Allen Meyer. Lady racer Donny Lamola will have some competition with Paige Lindenberg making her single-seater debut as well – a far cry from the enormous Ford Galaxie she normally pilots on the Historic Tour.
As normal, the cars will be out on track for a number of sessions on Friday before the serious business gets underway with qualifying, followed by two races, on Saturday.
More details about the new cars can be found here.