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Giordano Lupini endured a rough, tough and a trying national main circuit debut in the opening round of the 2017 Engen Volkswagen Cup, but the Franschhoek teenager certainly showed his mettle at the season opener at his Killarney home track on Saturday.

“That was quite a Bittersweet Polo Cup debut,” 16-year old Lupini reflected. “I was delighted to qualify 9th for race 1 in spite of an incredibly difficult session in the jaws of a mad Cape South Easter gale and I was running 9th and comfortably the top rookie in race 1 when I lost third and fourth gears with a lap to go, so I cruised home in 5th. 

“In race 2, I was caught up in a bit of Turn 5 nonsense and ended up in the wall on the first lap. but this is Polo Cup and I am very happy with a lot of things. “I’m a bit frustrated not to have had the result to go with it, but that’s how it goes in this game.

“I would like to extend a great big thank you to Pepper Racing for everything today including an incredibly quick 25-minute gearbox change to get the car ready before Race 2 and I am really happy to be part of such a great team! “Also thank to Haupt Racing for lending us their spare gearbox box and another massive thank you to my loyal sponsors La Vie De Luc Water, acciDent Guru, CIR Construction, BP Franschhoek and of course my folks.

"See you at Kyalami!"