Glass & Aluminum installations Pty (Ltd) are the proud sponsors of Team V² Racing!

We are a new race team, established in November 2021. Our team is made up of a trio of 2 brothers and the significant other (and the support of our parents), hence where we got our name: van Deventer + van Niekerk = V² Racing. We share a love and passion for cars and use this opportunity as family bonding time.

We race in a Mk1 2.0l VW Golf – this is the epitome of racing! It is literally the driver, the car, and the track, new don’t have any fancy electronics, ABS, ESP, or power steering.

We were mainly established as a lady driver team with Chandré and Ruan originally only being pit crew, as this would have given us a bit of an edge over the other teams because there are so few ladies involved in this sport. We soon realized that all 3 of us have different strengths inside the car which will be useful in different situations (Marlene is very fast in a straight line, Ruan is very fast in the corners and on a wet track and Chandré is a very well-rounded driver), thus we became a trio. We have come a long way since starting in November – all 3 drivers have significantly improved; our laps times have become better and more constant, and we have each found our personal race style.

Meet the Team:

Marlene van Niekerk – Lady Driver

Marlene is the main driver and face of the team, and the reason the team was established. It was her enthusiasm, determination and persistence which landed her a spot in the driver seat of somebody else’s car, which eventually became hers. With so few lady drivers on the circuit, she wants to carve a permanent place out for herself in a man’s world.

Why she races:

Fast cars have always been a love and fascination of mine. It is a very exhilarating feeling to be in control of a car with a lot of power and speed. When I discovered racing, I discovered that there is no other freedom like being strapped into a 4-point harness and flying down the track at a ridiculous speed. It is also a very humbling and calming experience being in charge of a car that at any moment can be in charge of you.  

Chandré van Deventer – The Boss

Team owner, mechanic, and co-driver.

Chandré bought the Golf which led to Team V² Racing being established. He fell in love with the race machine instantly when Marlene was first tested in it and decided to buy it as a new hobby and a way to bring the van Deventer and van Niekerk families together. He has always had a love for Mk1 Golfs and knows all their ins and out, so buying a race car version seemed like a no brainer. He does all the mechanical work on the car himself (with the help of a few handy family members) because he understands these cars so well, which also makes him the fastest driver of the team – he and the car have a mutual understanding.

Why he races:

I have a passion for cars even though it doesn’t look like it. I have always been one to believe that your car talks to you and tells you what to do. I race as it is a type of freedom that only you can feel and appreciate, only you and the car, the noise the feel and the car talking back listening to what it says and acting on it. The adrenaline of being on the track but yet the calmness of raging water to know that you have to be calm and cautious and aware of your surroundings. Also, racing isn’t just a hobby but a way to connect with my loved ones. 

Ruan van Deventer – Rain man

Co-driver, electrical mechanic

Ruan is the team’s fiery red head with a huge passion and knowledge for all things car. They call him Rain man because he is one of those rare talents who doesn’t back down from the rain and drives significantly faster on wet surfaces. He doesn’t know what it means to be scared and doesn’t back down from a challenge, making him the teams most fearless and aggressive driver. He also lends a hand under the hood, mainly being in charge of al the electrics on the car ensuring that the Golf runs smoothly.

Why he races:

I have always been an adrenaline junkie and being strapped into a race car is a sure way of getting the adrenaline pumping, but it taught me to be calm in an over-stimulated environment. Racing is also an escape for me; once you’re in that car, flying through corners, you can’t be thinking of anything else.  

What are the team goals?

Goals for the 2022 season:

• We mainly race at BRM events at Midvaal Raceway, where there are 11 race events for the year (which are set up as sprint races), and each counts toward overall points and race standings at the end of the year. Ultimately, we would like to be on the podium at the end of the season but realistically we are aiming for the top 5 as we are a new team, and we are still getting used to and becoming comfortable in our car and its ever-changing setup.
• We would also like finish a few endurance races, especially the Aldo Scribante 3-hour race (in PE) at the end of November.
• We want to become so comfortable inside the car, that she is basically just an extension of each of us – this is currently a bit challenging as the car is set up differently depending on who the driver is for the day. It is a challenge to find the most efficient set-up for 3 different drivers.
• We want to finish the season with all 3 drivers faster than at the start of the season and with the car in one piece.

Long term goals for the team:

• We would like to move up into mainstream classes in about 2-3 years like the 111-series and SuperHatch series hosted mainly at Zwartkops Raceway.
• We would also like to add another race car to our garage, increasing and optimizing the available opportunities for the whole team.

Glass & Aluminum Installations Pty (Ltd):

GAI are one of main sponsors. Our team is very grateful for them, as they have supported our journey from the very beginning. GAI’s sponsorship makes it possible for the team to put our tires on the black stuff for every practice and race.