Investchem Formula 1600 – Winning streak over but title beckons

Cape Town Investchem Formula 1600 star Julian van der Watt took his winning streak to eleven wins on the trot with another win in the opening race at Zwartkops Sasol Race Day on Saturday, although his record-setting run came to an end when he was beaten for the first time in race 2. It was a damage limitation weekend for van der Watt, who was happy to finish the second race at all, but now sits on the verge of clinching the 2017 F1600 title.

“Overall it was a good weekend for the championship,” Julian admitted. “We struggled with a pesky misfire throughout the weekend and I qualified second, but I stole the lead off the start and I managed to fend Stuart White off for the entire race. “He tried bombing me at the table top from about five car lengths away and lost his wing against my tyre, so we were lucky not to get any damage and came away with a win in the first race.

“I led the second race off the line but that misfire worsened and I couldn’t hold Stuart off, but I’m happy to have finished at all, so it was good for the title chase.” Julian is now within touching distance of clinching the 2017 SA National Formula 1600 title and needs only a seventh place finish to do it with three races still to run at home at Killarney next time out.

“The championship is very close, but we will keep pushing till the end, but I could never have got here without a great team so it’s huge thanks to the Investchem team and RDSA for everything!”