Summarize

As it tends to do, Zwartkops Raceway’s Extreme Festival delivered more than its fair share of South African Touring Cars drama Chemical Logistics Racing somehow came away from it all smiling. 

First race winner Robert Wolk consolidated his title advantage aboard his Chemical Logistics WTC Engineering BMW 128ti TC in spite of all the race 2 high jinks. Teammates Julian van der Watt’s Investchem WTC Racing Volkswagen Golf GTI TC and a delighted Andy Schofield and his FlySafair Chemical Logistics BMW 128TC ended the day a fine podium second and third overall.

“It was mad, it was tough and it may have been a bit unfair in parts, but Zwartkops was still good,” Robert summed it up. “We were on pole for the opening race and while Nathi Msimanga got ahead, I knew he’d jumped the start and he’s not a title threat at the moment, so I never worried too much about him and just brought it home second. That turned out to be the win anyway, so we had the feature race points in the bag.

“Race 2 was a bit more complex, as reverse grid races tend to be at Zwartkops. I started sixth and was up to second when we turned into the final corner at the end of the first lap, and bang! Let’s just leave that one there for now, but whether its fourth or seventh in race 2, it does not matter too much because we still consolidated our strong championship position in spite of all the drama. Now we move on to Aldo Scribante, which is another tight track with all the perils that brings - but bring it on!”

“Today was one of those days that just came to us,” a satisfied Julian van der Watt owned up. “We never quite had the outright pace we’d have liked in quali and I was only fifth on the grid, but I kept out of trouble and ended up third in race 1. The second race was even madder, and once again I kept it clean and came home second. So second overall for the day and still second overall by about the same gap to Rob in the championship chase. Thanks to the team for a great car as always, my Investchem WTC Racing Volkswagen Golf was on rails for the races!”

South African Touring Cars rookie Andy Schofield was delighted with his weekend aboard his FlySafair Chemical Logistics BMW. “Third for the day in only my second outing in South African Touring Cars?” Andy beamed. “I’ll take that with both hands, thank you very much!” Sure, a lot of it was down to the attrition around me, but that’s what South African Touring Cars is all about, especially here at Zwartkops. More importantly, I am now getting to grips with my BMW and I’m edging much closer to the pace too. So all in all a very positive weekend.”

“Zwartkops, being Zwartkops, and South African Touring Cars, being South African Touring Cars, I reckon today was very good overall,” Chemical Logistics WCT Engineering team manager Stuart Thompson pondered. “Rob was on point again and race 1 paid those dividends, Julian drove a sensible day to reap great rewards that were not really on that table, and we are delighted for Andy on a great result in only his second weekend out there. Well done guys!”

We all know Zwartkops is always tough, so these results are very good all considered.” Chemical Logistics Racing team boss Ian Schofield concluded: “Well done to our entire team on a great effort as always. We are now in a very strong championship position so it’s all about maintaining that for the rest of the season.”