PRETORIA – Cape Town racing driver Charl Visser has set a new overall lap record at the Zwartkops Raceway, whilst claiming victory in the opening round of the South African Endurance Series alongside co-driver Nick Adcock on 21 February.
Visser’s official time of 57.701 seconds in the Nova Proto NP02 adds to his existing Kyalami circuit record of 1 minute 40.120 seconds, cementing his position as one of South Africa’s fastest drivers.
The pair’s triumph in the 4-hour race also puts them at the top of the South African Endurance Championship (SAEC) standings as the new season gets underway.
Record-breaking performance
“I am super proud to once again be part of Nick’s endurance team and for the opportunity to add the outright Zwartkops lap record to my Kyalami mark,” said Visser, who is a 2023 Polo Cup champion and multiple National Rotax karting champion.
“I’ve now also added my name to the long and illustrious list of outright Zwartkops record holders with this thrilling new mark.”
The Ford Coyote V8-powered machine had only arrived in South Africa earlier that week, but the Adjust for Sleep Rico Barlow Racing team had the car race-ready in time for the weekend.
Perfect conditions
Adcock started the race after the pair had secured pole position with their combined qualifying times. Visser took over driving duties one hour and 50 minutes into the race.
“As the evening set in and the high temperatures dropped, the conditions became perfect and the car really came into the zone,” Visser explained.
“I was able to find a few laps without traffic and put in a few really quick laps to break the record, before cruising home to a happy victory.”
Visser also holds an unofficial outright Zwartkops lap record of 56.914 seconds, set during pole position qualifying last year, along with the fastest-ever official Kyalami lap time.
Looking ahead
The team now turns its attention to the next round of the South African Endurance Series – the 5 hours of Aldo Scribante in Gqeberha in April, where Danish co-driver Michael Jensen will rejoin the squad.
“That’s another of my favourite circuits where there’s the chance to add another all-time record to the list,” Visser concluded.
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