THE Engen Volkswagen Cup field proved to be a highly entertaining category of the Extreme Festival in East London on Saturday. The outcome of this event, round four of the 2015 championship, sees a new leader in the series.Mathew Hodges (M1 – Makopano / Phoenix Signs / 959 Panelbeaters) now leads both the overall championship and the Masters championship, based on two second-place finishes and first for the day.
Hodges qualified third-quickest, behind Sheldon van der Linde (1 – Champion) and Daniel Rowe (2 – Ferodo), drawing a second-place grid position for race one and fifth for race two. The first race saw Hodges finish where he started and in race two he climbed from fifth to a second place finish.
Race one saw some tough fighting for position with Rowe, who qualified second and drew pole for race one, intent on continuing his good form. From top three in all practise sessions to second overall in qualifying and on to victory in race one, Rowe looked set for another good weekend. A gearbox issue in race two unfortunately saw him go from challenging for a podium finish to crossing the line for seventh.
Van der Linde’s error in the first race, locking his brakes in Cocabana corner and hitting Chris Shorter (33 – Hollard) took him out of race. While Shorter was able to continue, it was only much lower in the running order. For Van der Linde it now means some serious work will be needed in order to get the championship lead away from Hodges in the remaining four rounds of the season.
Hodges’ second place finish to Rowe in that first race was followed by a second place finish behind the defending champion, Van der Linde, who had a fourth place start behind Chris (33 – Hollard) and Matt Shorter (11 – Champion) who had drawn pole and second place on the starting grid.
Van der Linde found his way past Masters competitor Juan Gerber (M8) and both of the Shorter brothers to claim that chequered flag, thanks to grabbing the opportunity presented at the start of that second race. This gave him the element of surprise on his opposition and he capitalised on this to stay clear of the field for the duration of the 10 laps.
For Trevor Bland (M2 – PG Glass) the East London event saw him produce two fourth place finishes – to claim third overall for the day. That moves Bland into second position in the Masters championship. Adrian Wood (14) returns home after this round of the championship with fond memories of the third coastal round of Engen Volkswagen Cup.
Wood was named the Driver of the Day at the East London event for his efforts. He finished sixth in race one and fifth in the second race. This marked his most successful race weekend in Engen Volkswagen Cup racing and, in addition to the Driver of the Day title, has also jumped five places in the overall standings to move into 15th place.
RESULTS:
RACE ONE:
1. Daniel Rowe – 2 (Ferodo)
2. Mathew Hodges – M1 (Makopano / Phoenix Signs / 959 Panelbeaters)
3. Shaun La Reservee (9 – Alpine Motors / Compendium)
RACE TWO:
1. Sheldon van der Linde – 1 (Champion)
2. Mathew Hodges – M1 (Makopano / Phoenix Signs / 959 Panelbeaters)
3. Chris Shorter (33 – Hollard)
OVERALL:
1. Sheldon van der Linde – 1 (Champion)
2. Daniel Rowe – 2 (Ferodo)
3. Mathew Hodges – M1 (Makopano / Phoenix Signs / 959 Panelbeaters)
MASTERS OVERALL:
1. Mathew Hodges – M1 (Makopano / Phoenix Signs / 959 Panelbeaters
2. Trevor Bland – M2 (PG Glass / Alpine Motors)
3. Juan Gerber (M8)
CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS:
1. Mathew Hodges – 199
2. Sheldon van der Linde – 198
3. Daniel Rowe – 173
4. Trevor Bland – 166
5. Matt Shorter – 154
Adrian Wood 14, Engen Volkswagen Cup, Extreme Festival-2.jpg
Adrian Wood 14, Engen Volkswagen Cup, Extreme Festival.jpg
Daniel Rowe 2, Engen Volkswagen Cup, Extreme Festival-2.jpg
Daniel Rowe 2, Engen Volkswagen Cup, Extreme Festival.jpg