18 Feb RACE REPORT BY HAYLEY – Short Circuit kicks off on Half-Main – 15 February 2025
On Saturday, 15 February, the first round of Short Circuit started with Free Practice kicking the hot, sunny day off.
A smooth qualifying went underway, although the bike of Nicholas Hutchings seemed to have lost a washer and a bolt during the 150s Seniors and Masters qualifying, followed by Heat 1.
The Auto Access 125s Juniors and Seniors first race began with 10 laps to go. An easy-going start to the year as Ewert Koortz finished Race 1 in first place, Mario Ferreira following behind him in second and Rudi Ferreira in third.
HSC Racing’s 150s Seniors and Masters had an interesting end to their first race, where Robin de Vos’ bike stopped exiting the last corner on the final lap due to mechanical issues. After recovering himself and the bike, de Vos did not finish and walked back to the pits. The winner of the race was Johnny Towers, with Slade van Niekerk in second and Nicholas Hutchings in third.
Similar to the 150s, Thermo Fires Club sport and Super Motards’ Benji Hobley had mechanical issues exiting the 180s towards the cut through during Race 1, causing a DNF, the marshals recovered his bike once the race ended. Nenad Veljanovic won the race with Slade van Niekerk in second and Bradley Mustoe in third.
An uneventful second race occurred for the Access Auto 125s Juniors and Seniors, with the same top three finishing the race as the one before. Ewert Koortz completed the 10 laps in first, Mario Ferreira in second and Rudi Ferreira in third.
Rob de Vos had an unfortunate end to his second race, once again, near the cut through. Trying to start his bike with no luck, a second DNF was under his belt for the HSC Racing 150 Seniors and Masters. Like the 125s, Race 1’s top three had completed Race 2 in the same position – Johnny Towers in first, Slade van Niekerk in second and Nicholas Hutchings in third.
Thermo Fires Club sport and Super Motards had a good second race with some superb racing. Nenad Veljanovic finished the race in first with Slade van Niekerk behind him in second and Bradley Mustoe following closely behind in third.
An exciting race three had occurred for the Auto Access 125s Juniors and Seniors as Mario Ferreira pushed himself to first place compared to his usual second, pushing Ewert Koortz down to second and Rudi Ferreira remained in third for a final time.
Johnny Towers and Slade van Niekerk did the old switcheroo in the final HSC Racing 150s Seniors and Masters race with Slade van Niekerk ending the race in first, Johnny Towers in second and Nicholas Hutchings in third, compared to the results for the rest of the races.
With the wave of a checkered flag, the final race of the day took place. Nenad Veljanovic finished the race in first place with Slade van Niekerk in second and Bradley Mustoe in third.
At the end of the day, Ewert Koortz withdrew from the day’s racing causing the results to be adjusted as follows, according to Clerk of the Course, Paul Lehmann:
Race 1:
1st – Mario Ferreira
2nd – Rudi Ferreira
3rd – Christopher Veldhuis
Race 2:
1st – Mario Ferreira
2nd – Rudi Ferreira
3rd – Christopher Veldhuis
Race 3:
1st – Mario Ferreira
2nd – Rudi Ferreira
3rd – Christopher Veldhuis
Text by Hayley Zaayman
Image by Kathryn Odendaal