Killarney International Raceway
The third round of the 2026 regional racing season at Killarney International Raceway kicked off with high anticipation, cool track conditions, and a strong field of nearly 25 entries in the API Property Group Volkswagen GTI Challenge. However, what promised to be a thrilling opener quickly turned into one of the most dramatic starts of the season.
Chaotic Start Ends in Red Flag: As the lights went out for Race 1, all three classes (A, B, and C) launched cleanly off the line and charged into Turn 1, Block Coin Corner. But within seconds, disaster struck. A multi-car collision involving leading Class B contenders including Adriano Ferroli, Faizal Jacobs, and Daniel Sandenberg resulted in a major pile-up on the exit of Turn 1. The incident brought out an immediate red flag, halting the race before the opening lap could be completed. A fourth casualty, Ismail Davids (Class C), was also forced out after sustaining damage elsewhere on the circuit. Marshals worked swiftly to clear debris and recover stricken vehicles, though the damage sustained ruled several frontrunners out of the restart.
Restart with a Reduced Field, Renewed Intensity: After cleanup, the race was restarted over 8 laps – but with a noticeably depleted grid, particularly in Class B. From the second start, the racing remained intense:
Class A quickly became a two-car duel between Shane Williams and Ian Kapp.
Class B saw Zac Laden emerge as the early leader, capitalizing on the absence of key rivals.
Class C featured a tightly packed midfield battle, though John Smith soon broke clear.
There were still moments of instability, including spins and near-misses in the opening laps, highlighting the tricky track conditions following overnight rain.
Race 1 Results Highlights
Class A: A thrilling, race-long battle saw:
• Shane Williams take victory
• Ian Kapp finishes just 0.4 seconds behind
The pair ran nose-to-tail throughout, with Williams holding firm under pressure to secure the win.
Class B: With several top contenders eliminated early:
• Zac Laden dominated to take the win
• Brett Roach followed, despite carrying damage (including a dislodged rear bumper)
• Danie Sandenberg completed the podium
A fierce midfield scrap featured drivers like Liebenberg, Gelderblom, and Ferroli – the latter making an impressive recovery after the earlier incident.
Class C: John Smith delivered a commanding performance, winning comfortably
Battles behind him included Dreyer, Munna, Schroder and Roe.
However, Tristan Joubert, who had been running strongly, was taken out in a later incident at Turn 1 – another victim of the race’s unforgiving opening corners.
Lap 1, Turn 1 incidents defined the race, eliminating multiple frontrunners. Track conditions (cool surface, slight wind, residual damp patches) contributed to instability. Aggressive early moves, particularly into Block Coin Corner, led to several avoidable collisions. Mechanical attrition also played a role, with loose bodywork (notably Roach’s bumper) creating additional hazards.
Race 2 delivered an intense and closely fought contest across all classes in the API Property Group VW GTI Challenge. With a competitive grid of 20 starters (19 finishers), the race showcased thrilling battles, tactical driving, and dramatic on-track action from lights to flag.
Grid & Start: The front row featured the two Class A contenders, Ian Kapp and Shane Williams, setting the stage for a head-to-head battle. Behind them, a tightly packed field of Class B and Class C competitors – including Adriano Ferroli, Eugene Gelderblom, Shaun Liebenberg, and Brett Roach – prepared for what would become a highly contested race.
At lights out, Williams made the stronger launch, immediately challenging Kapp into Turn 1. Early drama struck as Adriano Ferroli slowed and retired shortly after the start, while Andre Roe stalled on the grid and was forced to recover from the back.
Class A Battle – Williams vs Kapp: The headline battle of the race came from Class A, where Shane Williams and Ian Kapp ran nose-to-tail and often side-by-side for the entirety of the race.
• Margins between the two were consistently under half a second
• Multiple position changes occurred throughout the race
• Light contact and aggressive racing highlighted the intensity
On the final lap, Williams held his nerve under pressure, maintaining track position to take victory.
Result – Class A:
1st Shane Williams
2nd Ian Kapp
Class B – Tactical Warfare: Class B delivered one of the most competitive and dynamic battles of the day.
• Brett Roach initially led the pack after overtaking Sean Liebenberg
• Zac Laden emerged as the primary challenger, repeatedly attacking Roach
• Daniel Sandenberg remained firmly in contention throughout
Despite Laden briefly getting ahead, Roach executed a decisive counterattack to reclaim the lead and secure victory.
Result – Class B:
1st Brett Roach
2nd Zac Laden
3rd Daniel Sandenberg
4th Shaun Liebenberg
5th Ijaaz Majiet
Class C – Breakaway Performance: In Class C, Ryan van Eerden delivered a standout drive:
Took the lead early and controlled the race. Built a consistent gap over rivals. Remained unchallenged to the finish. Behind him, Tristan Joubert, John Smith, and Patrick Walton battled closely, with Walton notably struggling with a loose bonnet late in the race.
A dramatic photo finish saw Ross Schroder edge Devin Dreyer by just 0.08 seconds.
Result – Class C:
1st Ryan van Eerden
2nd Tristan Joubert
3rd John Smith
4th Patrick Walton
5th Ross Schroder
Notable Incidents for the day, Adriano Ferroli – Did Not Finish (mechanical issue after warm-up/start phase). Andre Roe – Stalled at start, recovered to finish competitively. Patrick Walton – Bonnet issue affecting late-race performance. Multiple off-track excursions at Turn 1
Race 2 of the API Property Group VW GTI Challenge delivered exceptional racing across all classes. From the relentless duel between Williams and Kapp in Class A to the strategic battle in Class B and the dominant performance in Class C, the event highlighted the depth of talent and competitiveness in the series.
The championship fight continues to intensify as the season progresses, with momentum now firmly in the hands of key contenders across all classes.
Overall Results for Classes A B C
Result – Class A:
1st Shane Williams
2nd Ian Kapp
Result – Class B:
1st Zach Laden
2nd Brett Roach
3rd Shaun Liebenberg
4th Daniel Sandenberg
5th Ijaaz Majiet
Result – Class C:
1st John Smith
2nd Ross Schroder
3rd Devon Dreyer
4th Andre Roe
5th Patrick Walton
Published by: Abri de Bruin
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