Summarize

Mixed results for Lee’s men in East London

Lee Thompson Racing returned from East London with its fair share of sliverware as well as a reasonable repair bill following a positive, yet testing weekend for its six-car team in the Border Region over the weekend. “East London was a semi good outing for us,” team principal Lee Thompson admitted. “We had some good results but that was tempered by quite a few problems, but in all it was a positive outing.”

“That was a hectic weekend,” iCorp Volkswagen Parts LTR Golf GTI Sasol GTC2 driver Charl Smallberger pointed out. “I missed first practice as I had to present a university project in PE and I rushed up to just get into the second session. “Everything went quite well until qualifying, which was a disaster as traffic spoiled all my good laps and I started from back.

“I drove up to sixth in race 1 but the car wasn't coming out the corners right, so I changed my driving and that made a difference. “Race 2 started off a reverse grid, so I was up front, but I was on the outside through Potters and lost places, but one of MdKane and the Honda took each other off and I was back in front with Keagan Masters. “We tried to make a break but Liebenberg and Bland caught up and passed. “After the weekend we found the turbo was not boosting right but, I will take fourth for the day — onward and upward!”

“I think the East London curse affected quite a few cars, but I was very happy with my performance this weekend,” Photonics LTR Engen Volkswagen Cup racer, Mauritian Simon Need admitted. “We qualified further up the grid than usual in 16th, so it's a pity I had an electrical problem in heat 1, but that’s racing. “Heat 2 was mechanically trouble free and we managed to bring it home in 14th. “A lovely day at the races — it always is at East London - thanks to all!”

It was however Shaun Crous driving his Ancro Building Projects LTR Polo Vivo in the smallest class the team enters, who once again came home as the team hero. “It was one heck of a weekend,” Comsol Volkswagen Challenge Class C driver Shaun explained. “The first race never went as planned but I chased Rory Atkinson home in second. “The second race was a lot better — I enjoyed a hard fight with Rory again but it was by God’s love and grace that I won. “Special thanks to my sponsor for the opportunity to race and to Lee and the lads for all the great work you guys do to the car.”

The weekend proved an up-and-down affair for Lee Thompson Racing’s trio of Class A Polos. Iain Pepper qualified his Husqvarna Motorcycles LTR Polo third and ran second initially before slowing and eventually stopping with two laps to go in the first race. “We lost a gearbox,” Ian rued. “The second race was much better though — I brought it home second and we seem to have closed the gap we had to the front at the last race a little, so let’s hope we can go all the way at Zwartkops.”

Waldie Meintjes put his LTR Polo fourth on the grid behind Pepper before enjoying a tough tussle to end up fifth in race 1. “I slipped back a little in the race and missed fourth by half a second, but we changed a few things in race 2 and I ended up a close fourth. “It’s competitive up front this year and we have a bit to do to find the pace — let’s hope we can find some more for Zwartkops in June.”

“I had a great experience in East London - it was my first time out in the Mighty FSI and I had so much fun,” Wayne Crous who drives the Delway LTR Polo confirmed. “I qualified sixth, but ended up next to Delon Thompson who pushed me wide in Potter’s so I had to back off. "From there I tried my best to catch up and finished sixth. “I had a great start in race 2 and ran in fifth until my gearbox let me down. “Overall I’m happy, went home with my car in one piece — thanks to Lee for another great weekend.”

Team Principal Lee Thompson was also satisfied with the weekend. “We had a few gearbox and side shaft issues that put us on the back foot in Volkswagen Challenge, but if we have a look at race pace,  we seem to have closed the gap to the front runners in class A. “Shaun had his best and most deserved win since he started racing — he kept a cool head in heat two to pip Rory Atkinson to the line.

“Simon had a electrical issue in heat 1 but heat 2 he did one of his famous quick starts and picked off a couple guys and Charl had a tough weekend, but the Minis however found some good pace this weekend and we have some work to do. “Roll on Zwartkops!”

Lee Thompson Racing has another six-car weekend up next, when all three classes compete at the team’s Zwartkops home track over the 16-17 June long weekend. 

ENDS

Issued on behalf of Lee Thompson Racing

What:Extreme Festival Race Report
Where:East London Grand Prix Circuit
When:20 May 2017
Community:Lee Thompson Racing

For further information please contact thompsonlee01@gmail.com

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