Summarize

Its all hands on deck for Lee Thompson Racing, which heads to the third round of the Extreme Festival SA National Circuit Racing Championships East London’s Grand Prix Circuit ready to field seven cars over three racing categories Saturday 20 May. Charl Smalberger will race in Sasol GTC2, Simon Need in the Engen Volkswagen Cup, Iain Pepper, Waldie Meintjes and Wayne Crous in Class A of the Comsol VW Challenge and Shane Crous in Class C of that series.

“It’s been a busy three weeks getting all the cars prepped for East London,” team principal Lee Thompson explained. “From engine and gearbox rebuilds to testing new things, it’s been quite mad and it’s not going to stop even in East London, because we have all three categories racing there. “We’re confident with our preparation and we are positive for good results - let’s do this!”

Charl Smalberger is looking forward to a step up with his iCorp LTR Volkswagen Genuine Parts Golf GTI in GTC2 at the Border racetrack. “Lee and my dad have done a lot of work tuning the car around its Dastek ECU system,” the Johannesburg lad who is studying engineering in Port Elizabeth confirmed. “I won at East London won last year and I love the place, so I hope to use track knowledge use to our best advantage and I’m looking forward to a great weekend.”

Mauritian Simon Need meanwhile drives his Photonics LTR Polo in Engen Volkswagen Cup and he’s keen to get back to the GP Circuit. "One requires ‘big ones’ for East London and especially Potters Pass bend,” Simon confessed. “It’s the most hair raising corner we face and it plays on your mind in the weeks leading up to the event. “It’s still a steep learning curve for me but I’m ready to take my driving to the next level and I’m quite positive at the moment, so that can only be a good thing.”

Lee Thompson Racing’s Gauteng regional Volkswagen Challenge team is meanwhile relishing its away race. “I hope we have found something after Red Star where we got our asses kicked properly,” Edenvale Husqvarna LTR Polo racer Iain Pepper, who has enjoyed a positive return to racing after nine years out of the seat admitted. “Lee has worked hard to find some pace in the car and the rest is up to me — I’m starting to find my feet again so hopefully we can repay Lee with a win down there.”

East London can only be a step up for Marty’s Paint & Panel LTR Polo driver Waldie Meintjes. “My Polo’s engine broke in Friday’s practice and that was my Red Star weekend,” Pretoria driver Waldie rued. “Now we’ve rebuilt it and Lee has given it some extra tender loving care, so let’s hope that we are right there come Saturday’s races — I have some catching up to do!”

 

Saturday will be Wayne Crous’ first first race in East London with his mighty FSI-powered Toshiba Tech/Delway LTR Polo.“We sorted a few small problems on the car since the previous race and I’m confident for the race at the Grand Prix circuit — I can’t wait to take on Potter’s Pass!” the Pretoria builder explained. “And of course a huge word of thanks to Toshiba Tech, Delway Trading, Ancro Building and PBCS for making it possible for me to race this season.”

Younger brother Shaun Crous kept Lee Thompson Racing’s spirits high at red Star last time out and he’s keen to take his Ancro Building Projects LTR Polo Vivo that one step up to the top of the VW Challenge Class C podium in East London. “First and foremost I just want to thank God for another race meeting; my sponsors and Lee Thompson Racing,” Shaun admitted. “I’m very excited for this race meeting!”