Summarize

Chemical Logistics Racing enjoyed another winning outing as its drivers consolidated their positions on top of the South African Touring Cars championship log at Aldo Scribante Race Track’s midwinter midseason Extreme Festival races in Gqeberha on Saturday. 

Julian van der Watt won the opening feature race before fighting to sixth in the second reverse grid sprint, to end up second for the day in the Investchem Volkswagen Golf GTI TC. Championship leader Robert Wolk delivered a solid weekend in spite of a few challenges to end up third on the day with fourth in the opening race and second in the final in his Chemical Logistics WTC Engineering BMW 128ti TC. And Andrew Schofield came home a solid fifth overall in his FlySafair Chemical Logistics BMW 128ti TC.

“That was an excellent weekend,” Julian van der Watt admitted. “Pole position and the first race win was the ideal start, but the second race proved tougher starting so far back on the reverse grid. So I opted to keep out of trouble and bring it home and take the points. “Overall it was good for my championship as we are now just a handful of points behind in the chase, so the rest of the season promises to be greatly exciting.”

“A fourth and a second, and third on the day was OK, but it could have been so much better,” Robert Wolk explained. “I was forced to avoid the car ahead of me in the esses on the opening lap of the first race and went off and that ruined my weekend. I fought hard back to fourth and followed that up with a strong second heat. We have not had a clean weekend since Cape Town though, so hopefully my luck will turn soon.”

Aldo Scribante was a tough one, but I managed to pick up some of the pieces in the opening heat for a good points haul and bag fifth for the day, so a positive result,” Andy Schofield pondered. “It’s been a big learning curve stepping up to South African Touring Cars this season, but I’m progressing well with this great team around me and a brilliant car under me. Can’t wait for the next one!”

“This is something we are not quite used to,” Chemical Logistics WCT Engineering team manager Stuart Thompson grinned. “Until now we have always been fighting against a rival team for the title, but this year it’s in-house, so it’s a different challenge, but we’re quite enjoying it! Well done to our three drivers on a positive result from a tough weekend and to everyone behind the scenes on delivering a winning combination as ever.”

“It’s great to have two Chemical Logistics racing WCT drivers at the top of the title chase for once,” team boss Ian Schofield concluded: “This is something we certainly can get used to. Good on you all, team!”

Chemical Logistics Racing heads to the East London Grand Prix Circuit’s 27 July fourth round Extreme Festival South African Touring Car races next.