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Red Star Raceway, just east of Delmas, is the venue for the second round of the 2017 Comsol VW Challenge on Saturday, 29 April. While most of the drivers have experience at the Mpumalanga circuit, things will be a bit different from the last time they lapped the track in anger as they will be going the other way around this visit.As is to be expected after just one round of the championship, things are tight at the top of the log with no clear favourites emerging yet. In the overall standings, Rory Atkinson (Pozi Drive Polo) leads the way by just a single point for Stiaan Kriel (N4 Autocraft Polo) with Lyle Ramsay (Monroe Racing RSA Polo) and veteran Iain Pepper (Campos Transport Polo) tied for third a further two points back.  Stiaan Kriel took both class A race wins at the opening round and will be looking to do the same things at Red Star, but he is unlikely to have it all his own way. Pepper and James Hurley (The Starter Pack Company Polo) both showed genuine pace at Zwartkops, with Pepper setting the fastest lap in each race, and they will be out to stop Kriel from opening up an advantage at the top of the class A championship log. Waldie Meintjes (LTR / Marty’s Body & Spray Polo), Wayne Masters (Performance Masters Polo), Delon Thompson (A and L Materials Handling Polo) and Wayne Crous (Delway Polo) are all capable of mixing it with the front runners on their day and will be out to score as many points as possible. In class B Nic Clarke (Pozi Drive Polo) crossed the line in first place in both races but a jump start penalty in the second one saw him drop out of the points. The defending champion will be out to rectify that mistake in Mpumalanga. Former champion Ramsay will be leading the pack of those aiming to stop him and extend his lead in the championship. Ramsay will be joined by Adrian Wood (Laserfiche Polo), Jacques Smith (Hydra Arc Polo) and Luan Roos (Nathan’s Motorsport Polo) in the hunt for maximum points. Current class A champion Rory Atkinson (Pozi Drive Polo) has moved to class C for 2017 and had a great start to his season; a second place and a win, coupled with pole position and a fastest lap in each race putting him at the head of the championship race. Wouter Roos (Nathan’s Motorsport Polo) is leading the challenging pack ahead of Shaun Crous (Ancro Building Projects Polo), Chris Dale (Pozi Drive Polo), Simon Levin (Auto ECU Polo) and Graham Savage (ATE Polo). Qualifying is scheduled for 08h30 on Saturday morning with two 8-lap races taking place later in the day. |
