Summarize

Always entertaining, the tight and twisty Aldo Scribante delivered a stunning day of ATE VW Challenge racing as the Gauteng Northern Regions Extreme Festival visited the  Gqeberha racetrack for its annual away race on Saturday. In a very good day for class winners, rookies Joshua Moore and Sebastian Bouillart and veteran lady racer Elna Croeser, all three however had to work hard for victory.

Qualifying dished up its fair share of surprises as Francis Aldrich claimed a maiden Class A pole position by two tenths of a second from veteran Ian Walker’s Melo Velo Polo. Best of the rookies, Chris Tait’s King Price Extreme entry lined up third alongside fellow young gun Josh Moore’s Worx BPW Puma car. AutoZone man Stuart Mack followed from Steelform Class T lad Luke Hill and Clean Renewables man Mydi Mfana.

Applied Heat kid Sebastian Bouillart claimed the Class B pole by a few hundredths of a second from fellow rookie Keyaan Dwomoh, Northern Bolt & Tool driver Jonathan Konig and Chris Davison’s GSi Generators entry after Max Corbett’s Century failed to post a time. Elna Croeser surprised with the Class C pole in her ATE Vivo from Andy Gossman’s Cardoc and Stuart Konig’s Northern Bolt versions, and Dimitri Zapheriou.

The opening race proved a humdinger as Ian Walker took the holeshot and held onto the lead for a couple of laps. Josh Moore however found his way past and drove off to win as Walker held on for second with Chris Tait third. Pole man Francis Aldrich slumped to fourth ahead of Stuart Mack and Class T lad Luke Hill after Mydi Mfana slipped back.

Sebastian Bouilliart worked hard to hold Jonathan Konig at bay for two tenths of a second Class B win. Third man Chris Davison had Max Corbett just as close behind as Keyaan Dwomoh took an early shower. Andy Gossman overcame Elna Croeser to open up an early Class C advantage, but the ATE lady closed the gap down to half a second by the flag with Stuart Konig and Zapheriou in chase.

The second heat was another cracker. One could literally throw a blanket over the top four as Josh Moore and Chris Tait fought it out. Tait found a way past, but Moore had none of it and hit back to take the lead and claim a double victory. Within touching distance, Francis Aldrich made a late pass on Walker for third ahead of Mfana and Hill.

Sebastien Bouilliart had Max Corbett for company in Class B but duly held him off for the double with Jonathan Konig and Chris Davison a distant third and fourth after Keyaan Dwomoh stopped again. Elna Croeser gained revenge on Andy Gossman in the second Class C race, with Stuart Konig and Zapheriou next.

Overall, Joshua Moore took the day from Christopher Tait and Ian Walker to set the cats among the championship pigeons. Sebastian Bouilliart won Class B from Jonathan Konig and Max Corbett, and Elna Croeser beat Andy Gossman and Stuart Konig to Class C. The ATE VW Challenge returns to action at Zwartkops on Saturday 12 September.