Atkinson rises to the challenge at Zwartkops

The VW Challenge brigade were the first cars out on track for their qualifying session while the air and track temperatures were still cool. Atkinson gave notice of his intentions by grabbing pole position for class A just 0.022 seconds ahead of Waldie Meintjies (LTR / Marty’s Body & Spray Polo). Defending champion James Hurley  (The Starter Pack Company Polo) was less that two tenths of a second further back with Iain Stevenson in the second Comsol Polo in fourth. Wayne Crous (X35 Energy Dink Polo) and Devon Piazza-Musso (Tooling Promotions Polo) filled the third row of the grid. Clarke was the quickest of the class B cars ahead of Darren Nathan (Sex Trader Polo) and Gerhard Henning (Toyota Replacement Parts Polo). The three of them were separated by just over a tenth of a second. Brad Hall (Hellerman Tyton Racing), Mile Stewart (Grandmark International Polo) and Andre Calitz (AC Honed Group Polo) rounded out the top six. In class C Jody Robertson was behind the wheel of the Dale Automation Golf normally driven by Sam Dale. He showed that he still has what it takes, claiming pole position by 0.434 seconds from Francois van Zyl (Jesus Saves Polo). Zander Roos (Nathan’s Motorsport Polo) and Stuart Mack (Goldwagen JHB CBD / Wynberg Golf) shared the second row of the grid while the third row was filled by Shaun Crous (X35 Energy Drink Polo) and Simon Levin (Auto ECU Golf).

In the opening 10-lap race of the day a sideways moment at turn 5 for three of class A competitors allowed Meintjies to open up a two second gap at the end of the first lap but Atkinson wasn’t going to let Meintjies run away with the race. By the half way mark the gap was down to a second and two laps later Atkinson took the lead. Hurley, who ran second for much of the early part of the race, suffered brake problems dropped out of contention, eventually pulling into the pits with a couple of laps to go. Hurley’s misfortune meant the dice between Stevenson and Piazza-Musso became the fight for the final podium position. It went the way of Stevenson by just a tenth of a second. Derick Smalberger (Sabertek Beetle) came home in fifth while Hurley was classified sixth.

In class B an early mistake dropped pole sitter Clarke way down the field. This allowed Nathan a relatively comfortable run at the head of the field. Hall and Henning spent most of the race battling for the runners-up spot. Shortly before the flag came out they were joined by Clarke who had worked his way back through the field. Hall took second followed by Clarke, who got past Henning at the final corner. Henning was later penalized for a jump start which dropped him down to seventh place. Calitz was promoted to fourth with Andre Needham (Ultra Group Polo) and Elna Croeser (Polo) in fifth and sixth respectively.

Robertson, who recently has been swinging the spanners rather than being in the driver’s seat, had a comfortable win in Class C coming home eight seconds ahead of Zander Roos with Levin in third. Mack, Crous and Graham Savage (Goldwagen JHB CBD / Wynberg Golf) rounded out the top six.

In the second race the class A battle was again between Atkinson, Meintjies and Hurley in the early stages. Hurley led the first lap before Atkinson and Meintjies got past him. Atkinson slowly pulled away and, despite an overheating car, managed to slowly pull away and take the win. Meintjies had to settle for second. Hurley’s run of bad luck continued – he also suffered overheating problems and was forced to a halt on the final lap. Stevenson and Piazza-Musso again battled for the final podium position with Stevenson claiming his second of the day. Wayne Crous and Smalberger followed them home.

Nathan had another win in class B, this time from Henning, Clarke and Hall. Daine Stewart (Grandmark International Polo) claimed fifth with Elna Croeser (Polo) again in sixth place.

Robertson had an even more comprehensive win in class C. This time he was followed home by Levin and Mack. Zander Roos was the best of the rest. He had van Zyl in close attendance with Chris Dale (Dale Automation Golf) not far behind in sixth.

Overall victory in class A went to Atkinson from Meintjies and Stevenson. Class B went the way of Nathan with Hall and Clarke in the other podium positions. Robertson was the easy winner in class C with Levin and Mack in second and third respectively.

The next outing for the Comsol VW Challenge is on 22 August at Phakisa Freeway near Welkom.

Overall Points