The champagne has barely dried following the 2022 Investchem Formula 1600 prizegiving and teams and drivers are flat out preparing for the opening round of the 2023 championship. And where better than at Kyalami, the home of South African motorsport in support of the Intercontinental Sports & HT 9 Hour race over the weekend of 24-25 February?
“We have hardly wrapped up the 2022 season and we are ready to race again” Investchem’s Ian Schofield confirmed. “First off, congratulations to our 2022 top six, champions Josh Le Roux, who took a R200,000 cheque home, Gerard Geldenhuys who won R100,000, and Troy Dolinschek who earned R50,000, Antwan Geldenhuys, Alex Vos, and Andrew Schofield.
“We also need to congratulate our special award winners, Rookie of the Year Troy Dolinschek, Most Improved Driver, Alex Vos, Team of the year, Brian Kruger Investchem’s B Team, and our Mechanic of the Year Piet Mongatane. “Well done to all of you on another fantastic Investchem Formula 1600 racing season.
“Now we look ahead to 2023 and a whole new season in South Africa’s richest junior racing championship. “Our champion will once again walk away with at R200,000 cash prize and a GTC test, second gets R100,000 and third wins R50,000. “It all starts at Kyalami, see you there!”
With champion Le Roux graduating to Global Touring Cars for 2023, there will be a new Investchem Formula 1600 champion in 2023, and four drivers start the new season as clear favourites. Abacus Divisions Mygale brothers, ’22 runner-up Gerard Geldenhuys and fourth last year, Antwan Geldenhuys both won races and were in the fight throughout the season and they will start the new year on the front foot at Kyalami.
But they must first overcome the danger men. Third man overall and Rookie of the Year Troy Dolinschek, and fifth and Most Improved Driver Alex Vos both won races and came on strong through 2022. These two lads come from strong racing backgrounds and will be on it from the get-go in ’23. Cape student Vos is back in his DV Building Supplies Investchem Mygale. Cape lightie Dolinschek will be aboard his Sujean machine.
Never ignore Investchem Formula 1600 veterans, airline pilot Andrew Schofield is looking to improve upon sixth in his Fly Safair racing with Investchem Mygale in 2023, and regular championship runner-up over the years, Nicholas van Weely. Nick will be hoping for an easier year than his troubled 2022 in his Magnificent Paints & Hardware Mygale.
Two more Capetonians, experienced multiple karting champion Jason Coetzee’s Mint Wraps Fuchs Mygale and Storm Lanfear’s AMD Cycle of Life RDSA car will be looking to build on their rookie experience last year. KZN lad Shrien Naidoo is another looking to step it up in his PX Racing Mygale whilst Siya Mankonkwana is always a factor in his Investchem Mygale. They will be joined by rookie karting graduate Karabo Malemela’s Investchem Mygale.
The Investchem Formula 1600s will share the track with a field of old school Formula Ford Kent machines driven by a grid of just as experienced veteran drivers. Ian Schofield and Rick Morris’ Investchem Mygales take on former SA Formula GTi driver and Dakar star Duncan Vos’ Swift and Van Diemen trio, Graham Hepburn‘s Qualipak car, Investchem man Allen Meyer and Ronald van Weely’s Magnificent Paints & Hardware machine.
Investchem Formula 1600 practices Thursday 23 November, with qualifying 09h45 Friday before race 1 at 16h00. Race 2 is first thing Saturday morning at 07h50, with several other classes and displays to follow before the ICGT Jo’burg 9 Hour at 13h00. The action will be live on DSTV 215, but what better a way to spend a splendid Saturday. See you at Kyalami!
