Driver Database News

The last round of this year’s WesBank V8 Supercar Championship sees Clare Vale travel to the Kyalami International Raceway in Midrand on Saturday the 17th of October. Having now attained 10th in the Championship she will be looking to cement her position and end the season on a positive note. The racing promises to be close and intense as 5 drivers still start with a mathematical chance of attaining this year’s highly sought after WesBank V8 Championship.

Kyalami has been a favorite circuit this year for Clare as she has had her Gatorback RAM Mustang on pole in both second heats and at her last outing at the circuit she had a trophy finish. She will be looking to build on her good form at this circuit and add another trophy to her cabinet.

For information on the race day please visit www.wesbankmotorsport.com.

Photo by Frank Moody.

An exciting day’s racing saw Clare Vale finish the day 6^th overall, just missing a 5^th place trophy finish. Despite the car developing massive understeer, Clare showed her mettle and drove her car to a good finish. With the good haul of points, Clare finds herself merely 4 points outside of the Top 10 in the WesBank V8 Supercar Championship with Mackie Adlem currently occupying 10^th with 38 points and Clare on 35 points. With Killarney and Kyalami still to come she could very well take her Gatorback RAM Mustang into the elusive Top 10. The action at Phakisa was furious, especially in the second heat. Incidents and passing were the call of the day and fellow Benonian Franco Di Matteo made the most of his opportunity out front to record his first win of the season.

With Cape Town’s Killarney race on the 26^th of September it will give Clare Vale another opportunity to show that she can compete at the business end of the field.

Photo by Tony Alves – Tracksidepics.co.za

Photo by Patrick O'Leery

This Saturday, September 5th, sees Clare Vale travel to Welkom’s Phakisa circuit. Last year saw her finish the weekend 6th overall and she will be hoping for more of the same as she strives to take her Gatorback RAM Mustang into the Top 10 in the championship. If last year’s race is anything to go by, and with the recent action in the WesBank V8 Supercars Championship, this weekend promises some close and ferocious action! Come join us as the Rolling Thunder burns some Goodyear rubber and Sasol race fuel around Phakisa!

Pretoria – Last weekend’s WesBank Super Series event turned out to be a frustrating one for Clare Vale, the First Lady of WesBank racing. Running in the WesBank V8 Supercars series, she qualified a full second quicker than she had ever been at the tight Zwartkops circuit. After quickly moving up a place in the first race, the Gatorback RAM Mustang developed a diff problem, and she was forced to pit after completing just a few laps. Unfortunately, the problem was terminal and she was unable to rejoin the race.

The Gatorback RAM team changed the diff before the second heat, and Clare started near the rear of the grid for the second race. Hungry for points, she engaged in an epic battle with Darron Gudmanz, with the two drivers swapping places numerous times. Sadly, Zwartkops is notoriously hard on brakes and a long pedal forced her to drop back, eventually finishing 11^th.

Looking ahead to the next race at Phakisa Raceway in Welkom, the team is determined to achieve a good result there. Currently 12^th in the Championship, Clare is aiming to break into the top ten and a solid points haul at the Free State circuit will help her to achieve her goal.

Photo by Tony Alves – Tracksidepics.co.za

Round 6 sees Clare Vale go to the Zwartkops race circuit in Pretoria. After the success of her Kyalami race she will be looking to add to her first trophy of the season. Her season has seen her consistently bettering her best lap times and she’ll be once again looking to do personal bests. With a track like Zwartkops overtaking is always difficult and with the reverse grid second heat – the racing promises to be fast and intense. Clare is currently 12th in the championship and will be looking to break into the top 10 over the Zwartkops race weekend.

Photo by Brent Ellis.