Summarize

Lee Thompson Racing will return home from Cape Town’s Extreme Festival races frustrated but satisfied following an at times, controversial weekend at Killarney. Charl Smalberger was the star of Sasol GTC2, qualifying on pole and crossing the line first and second in the two races before incurring penalties in both races, while Delon Thompson delivered his best Engen Polo Cup qualifying yet en route to two points-paying finishes and Simon Need came home fifth in Masters.

“That was an interesting day!” Q20 Racing LTR Golf GTI driver Charl pointed out. “We put together a great pole lap — I had a little tow from one of the Minis, which gave us a little edge. “Race 1 was great — I got away early on and then Keagan Masters closed me down — every lap he was there trying to make a move — he was stronger in certain places and I was quicker in others — he was better out of Malmesbury, I was better out of Cape Town corner — it was an intense battle, but I managed to keep ahead to cross the line first.

“Then we were underweight so I lost the win — that’s one of those things and such a pity. “The second race was just as disappointing — I managed to go from the back to the front and led the race after the first lap and then came under attack from Keagan again — he had so much pace, but I held him off for most of the race but he eventually found a way past and I crossed the line second.

“Sadly there’s a rule that says I cannot pass the car ahead behind the pace car on the start and somehow my nose was a tiny bit ahead of Keagan and took a 30-second jump start penalty and that dropped to fifth, so it was a hugely disappointing day. “Luckily we can take the positives home — we were right on the pace today — now we just need to carry that forward and get the smaller details right.”

In the Polo Cup, Lee Thompson Racing rookie Delon Thompson starred to yet again progress through to Superpole with a stunning second in qualifying aboard his MF Autobody Polo before starting sixth. Thompson’s first race was marred by a slight power issue that saw him slip to eighth early on, but he bounced back to deliver a fine sixth on the tail of the lead bunch to end up seventh for the day.

“Qualifying was great, but the car was a bit stubborn today and I had to drive around an issue in race 1 so I was happy to rescue a few vital championship points there.” Delon explained. “Race 2 was better and I was able to hang with the lead bunch and enjoyed a tussle with Daniel Duminy on the way to sixth, so a good day overall — thanks to Lee and the guys for a great car as always!”

Mauritian gentleman racer Simon Need likewise enjoyed a positive weekend at Killarney to finish both races fifth among the Masters aboard his Photonics LTR Polo to also be fifth Master home overall. “Racing in Cape Town is among the highlights of my year and this year was no different,” Simon admitted. “The car was great and I scored some good Masters points each race, the car was great so all good - thanks to Lee and the lads for a fine car as always.”

“That was a tough weekend for Charl, but good for Delon and Simon,” team principal Lee Thompson concluded. “We had all the pace and did what we needed to in GTC2, but sometimes there are other factors at play and Saturday was one of those days - now we need to look ahead and carry an even better ace into the final races in both classes.”