Summarize

It’s been a long, hard year of racing and the 2024 PABAR VW Challenge comes down to this: With 22 points on the table, there are still three drivers in with a chance of taking the overall championship. 

Two of them are also fighting over the Class C title, and while the other arrives as Class B champion, the second and third drivers in that class arrive in Pretoria on even points. Never mind, there are just three thrilling points separating the Class A leaders. Add many other personal battles down the order, a few wildcards peppered in and all that title anxiety, and Zwartkops is set to be a pressure cooker of note come the weekend.

Class B man Stuart Mack’s Nathan's Polo heads to Zwartkops just eight points clear of teenage sensation Chris Tait and his Class C Sportex Vivo. Seems like a lot, but as young Chris can tell you, that can all disappear in an instant. Just like what happened to him last time out. Tait’s Class C rival Andy Gossman fought his Goose Motorsport Vivo way back into contention at that meeting, so it’s back to a three-way overall chase in Pretoria.

It's also all to fight for in Class A. Bevin Masters and his CPS Warehouse Polo turned the tables on brother Wayne’s Performance Masters version last time out and they arrive split by just three points. Brotherly love? You bet! There’s also a hell of a scrap going down for third in Class A, where Miguel Dias’ PMD car will need to fend Clean Renewables man Mydi Mfana and Norbrake Polo lad Dean Ross off to hold on to that third podium step. 

The Class X turbo Polos see Luigi Ferro’s Eco Simply Solar lead Bjorn Bertholdt’s Sizani Polo, Chris Dale’s Blue Belt machine and PABAR Capo Mike Barbaglia. Quick former Class C ATE Brakes lady racer Elna Croeser meantime makes a most interesting new X entry and while no class is associated with his entry, watch for young gun newcomer Jayden Goosen in a second Ferro Energia car.

Stuart Mack is the only champion so far. He clinched the Class B title last time out in his 3-cylinder litre turbo Polo. The B angst is behind him, between 2-litre normally aspirated rivals, Mo Karodia’s Fast 5 Polo sedan tied on points with Dubcorp rival Shiren Rajpaul’s Polo hatch. Ethan Coetzee’s JRT car is next up with Csol lad Anthony Lessing close behind, while Dewald Theron’s Ardfin version and Ian Walker’s Mellow Velo Polo are too close for comfort, while Jacques Hayes and Josh Wilford will be looking for a little luck.

It's all about Tait and Gossman up front in Class C. But Kyle Petersen’s Insurisk Vivo has impressed of late and he may become a factor in that championship chase. Fourth in Class C, Mitch Coetzee and his JRT Racing Vivo may be more focussed on his overall championship battle for ninth with son Ethan this weekend. He will also have one eye on Judd Bertholdt, Dino Smit, Dimitri Zapheriou, Tyron Pillay and Cody Petersen in the class battle. Philip Croeser is also expected back in his crash rebuilt ATE car, while champion Yotti Nousias’ We Fix Cars Vivo returns to the fray after a year away.

The PABAR VW Challenge will race as part of the full Gauteng Regional Racing Festival. A very good reason to pack those camping chairs and the brolly, and head out to Pretoria on Saturday. See you at Zwartkops!