Summarize

Cape Town teenager Troy Dolinschek was among a group of exciting local young guns to thrill his home crowd when he took a come from behind win and a second place behind championship leader Josh Le Roux to take the day in Investchem Formula 1600’s Killarney races on Saturday.

The 3,267 km Killarney International Raceway seems to foster close racing and the Investchem Formula 1600 qualifying results confirmed that. Le Roux sneaked pole position in his Investchem Master Stairs Mygale by 0,45 seconds from championship rival Gerard Geldenhuys’ Abacus Divisions Mygale.

A brilliant effort saw Siyabonga Mankonkwana’s Investchem Mygale onto the inside second row alongside Antwan Geldenhuys’ second Abacus Mygale. Behind them, Troy Dolinschek was the enigma. He had dominated practice before a driveline issue truncated his qualifying effort in his re-liveried Sujean Mygale.

Andrew Schofield was sixth in the Investchem Safair Mygale, from local lad Jason Coetzee in his Mint Wraps car, and Nicholas van Weely in his first outing in his new Magnificent Points Mygale. Storm Lanfear’s AMD Engineering car and Alex Vos, who struggled with a misfire followed to set the stage for a close battle.

Josh le Roux made a demon start and shut everyone out into the first turn before vanishing into the distance. The scuffle grew in intensity behind him with every lap, with Troy Dolinschek the man on the mission. He put in a huge dive on lap three to pass both Geldenhuys brothers and Schofield into second place. 

Le Roux was too far gone for Dolinschek to make an impression, but Gerard put one on both Schofield and his brother to nick third before trying a few moves on Dolinschek. Antwan then faded to let Mankonkwana into fourth from Schofield, Vos on a cleaner run, Coetzee, delayed Antwan, van Weely and Lanfear.

It was no holds barred as Le Roux and Gerard Geldenhuys nudged each other a couple of times into the first corner. Both exited unscathed to lead Coetzee, Dolinschek, Antwan Geldenhuys and Schofield around for the first tour.

Dolinschek then picked off compatriot Coetzee and it was obvious that the Cape Town youngster had his sights firmly set on a home win. It took a couple of laps before he squeezed past Gerhard Geldenhuys and then, in grand style, swept into the lead on lap six, taking Geldenhuys and an on form Vos with him.

Le Roux then faded to allow Mankonkwana, Schofield, Coetzee, van Weely, the delayed Antwan and Lanfear by as Dolinschek sped to his first chequered flag victory after his maiden win behind the safety car last time out. 

Troy took the day from Gerard Geldenhuys, Mankonkwana, Vos, Schofield, and Coetzee, adding the fastest lap bonus point to keep a mathematical championship chance open. But it‘s Le Roux and Geldenhuys, who go into the Zwartkops finale on 15 October just a handful of points apart.