The high-octane excitement of the SA Endurance National Championship is set to roar into life at the iconic Zwartkops Raceway in Pretoria, as the 2025 season opens with the Samlin Racing Four Hours of Zwartkops on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd February. A thrilling contest awaits motorsport fans, with an impressive field of 33 cars, including 11 competitors vying for the prestigious 1-Hour Dash Championship.
Defending Champions Lead the Charge
Proudly flying the #1 plate at the front of the grid are the reigning champions, Xolile Letlaka and Stuart White, who will be back in their formidable Into Africa Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo. After a dominant performance last season, including a stellar win at the Kyalami finale, the duo is focused on defending their title and continuing their momentum. However, the competition will be fierce, with the ever-dominant Nova Proto NP02, driven by Nick Adcock, Michael Jensen, and Ryan Naicker, eager to take the fight to the reigning champions. Last season, the Nova team picked up multiple wins and showed that they are a force to be reckoned with.
Class A: The Battle of the V8s
Class A is set to be an electrifying showdown between two of the most anticipated V8 machines on the circuit. The Australian-built Ford Mustang will make its debut in the championship, boasting a thundering 6.2-litre V8 engine, delivering 411kW of power. Driven by multiple V8 Champion Julian Familiaris and Franco di Matteo, the Mustang will clash with the Chev Camaro Trans-Am 2 Howe Chassis, piloted by Fabio Tafani and Sean Moore. With both cars powered by 6.2-litre V8 engines, the rivalry between the Ford and Camaro will be one to watch throughout the season.
Meanwhile, the established G&H Transport Audi R8 GT4, driven by Gianni and Ricky Giannoccaro, alongside Ant Blunden, will provide fierce competition to the open class frontrunners.
Class B: A Toyota Altezza Showdown
Class B promises a close contest between two strong contenders in the Production GT4 and Saloon car class. The Sphere Motorsport Toyota Altezza team, led by Mozambican Sergio Alvares and South African duo Pieter van Heerden and Marco da Cunha, will square off against the Samlin Racing Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo of Damian and Sam Hammond. The Samlin Racing team is particularly excited to take on the challenge at their home event, where they will be hoping to capitalize on local knowledge and the support of their home crowd.
Class C: A Fight for Class Supremacy
In Class C, a division for production cars with engines up to 3.2-litres, the battle for supremacy is poised to be a thrilling one. Leading the charge is the elegant Alfa Romeo Giulia QV of Mario and Claudio Rossi, who will face off against the speed and precision of the Combined Racing Honda Type-R, driven by Paulo and Ricardo Loureiro. The fight will intensify with the presence of two strong Volkswagen Polo GTis, piloted by Samlin Racing’s Nathan Hammond and Keegan Campos, as well as the Graphix Supply World Polo of Franco and David Roberto.
Class D: V8 Roadster Dominance
The V8 Roadster National Championship enters a new era in Class D, as nine Backdraft Roadsters make their way onto the circuit. Defending champions Harm and Barend Pretorius will look to continue their reign, though the competition is fierce. Notable challengers include Gianni Gabbiani and Mark Owens, who bring a wealth of international experience, alongside the consistently competitive Phillip Meyer, Mark Harvey, and Dean Wolson from Car 23 Racing.
There are also newcomers to the class, such as Gavin Rooke and Richard van Heerde, as well as the dynamic duo of Dan Hirsch and Fabienne Lanz, the latter of whom finished a close third in the Index of Performance Championship last season.
The 1-Hour Dash: A Sprint to Glory
Adding another layer of excitement is the 1-Hour Dash Championship, a thrilling sprint within the endurance race. Returning champion Mike Verrier will aim to defend his crown in the Shelby Can-Am, though he will face stiff competition from Andrew Horne, driving the Xena Chemicals Ligier-Honda JS49, and Antonie Marx in another Shelby Can-Am.
Rounding off the 1-Hour Dash entry list is a mix of established and emerging talent, including Mike McLoughlin in his Backdraft Slingshot, Dan Hirsch in his Backdraft Roadster, and Shayur Harpal with his Stradale Motorsport Lamborghini Gallardo GT3. They will be up against the iconic Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo driven by Damian Hammond and a strong contingent of Porsche 911 GT3 R entries, including Charl Arangies, Sun Moodley, Mo Mia, and Roy Obery.
Track Action
The track action kicks off on Friday 21st February with three one-hour practice sessions, followed by qualifying at 16h20. The stage will be set for the much-anticipated race, with the lights going out for the start of the Samlin Racing Four Hours of Zwartkops and the 1-Hour Dash at 14h00 on Saturday 22nd February.
Sponsors and Partners
The SA Endurance National Championship is proudly supported by Africa Race Together, Dunlop Tyres SA, Foton, Proton, Creative Ink, and SuperSport, ensuring that motorsport enthusiasts will witness world-class action both on and off the track.
As the first round of the season, the Samlin Racing Four Hours of Zwartkops promises to be an unforgettable spectacle, packed with drama, rivalries, and high-speed thrills. Don’t miss the chance to witness history in the making.
