Summarize

Bullion IT Racing closed off its 2022  CompCare Polo Cup campaign with both cars in the championship top six after a crunching season finale at a blistering hot Zwartkops Raceway on Saturday. Jurie Swart won three races through the season and set a fastest lap en route to third in the championship in his blue Bullion IT Polo. Giordano Lupini took a maiden win along with two pole positions and three fastest laps en route to a first year turbo Cup title sixth.

“Zwartkops was tough,” Jurie Swart explained. “I fought hard to clinch that championship third, but it could have been so much better. “We struggled  to find a misfire in my car since two rounds back. “It’s something we have no control over and despite changing our engine and just about every other component, VW Motorsport finally figured out we had a problem with a tiny module. “Then with that finally sorted, I suffered heatstroke on Saturday, so it really was a challenge, and I could barely stand after the race. “The races went well enough. “I compromised my first heat by slipping wide and fought back from there. 

“We went into the final needing three points to beat Dawie van der Merwe. “Miraculously his car had lost all the pace it has had since East London, and I got past easily enough this time! “Then I must thank Gio for doing the team job, getting ahead of Dawie, and helping a couple of guys behind him past too, for me to sneak that third! “Congratulations to Clinton Bezuidenhout on the title and thanks to my race engineer Andrew Goslett and my dad for all their effort. “And special thanks to Bullion IT for a brilliant season of racing!”

“Unfortunately, a small issue in qualifying saw us stuck in the mad mid-pack for the rest of the weekend,” Giordano Lupini admitted. “We live and learn so that’s another important one down to experience! “Zwartkops was hot and hard, I had a few great dices and was happy to help Jurie to get those extra points in the final, while still protecting my sixth place. “So, overall, it wasn’t a bad weekend.

“Looking back, we had a mighty good first season in turbo Polo Cup. “I am absolutely delighted with my race win in my first year as well as two pole positions and three fastest laps. “Only two other drivers have won in their first season since the change to the turbo cars six years ago, so I’m pretty chuffed with that! “There are so many people to thank, but most of all to Bullion IT, my race engineer Nian du Toit, my dad and all of our backers, fans and sponsors, for all the support!”

“Congratulations to Jurie and Giordano on a double top-six in SA’s hardest-fought national racing series in 2022,” Bullion IT CEO Clive Strover concluded. “You guys have done us proud on track this year.”