Summarize

Volkswagen Motorsport endured a challenging weekend at Zwartkops Raceway’s third round National Extreme Festival on Saturday. Championship leader Rory Atkinson’s promising SATC SupaCup start fell apart, while teammate Christopher Tait’s 30th Anniversary Astron Energy Polo Cup weekend went the other way when a tough Friday compromised a more positive outcome.

“There’s an old saying that goes ‘mama warned us about days like this’,” Mike Rowe, Volkswagen Head of Motorsport shrugged. “Rory Atkinson’s weekend started well in the SATC SupaCup, but the day brought a tough first heat and a second race retirement. Christopher Tait’s weekend went the other way when tough Friday limited his preparation for his 30th Anniversary Astron Energy Polo Cup outing. But he hit back with a mature drive to end up seventh on the day.”

Atkinson qualified second before a wild first lap saw him shuffled down to fifth. His second race started better as he ran third before his car hit trouble forcing him to stop. “Today was just one of those days,” Volkswagen SupaPolo rookie Rory admitted. “We had the pace to compete on a track that I know very well, but I was just not able to use it. Thanks to the team for a great effort. We’ll be back!” 

Christopher Tait’s efforts were compromised by a problematic Friday practice. “We only managed a handful of laps in practice as the team chased an issue with the car,” Christopher explains. “So I was surprisingly satisfied with ninth in qualifying after all that. The only problem was I was right in the middle of the mad midfield for all three races, so to finish seventh three times was a positive enough outcome in the end. Thanks to the lads for the huge push this weekend.”

“Sometimes this is how it goes in motorsport,” Mike concludes. “Now we dust off and head to Aldo Scribante in Gqeberha for Volkswagen Motorsport’s home race weekend just around the corner from Plant Kariega See you there!”