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SCINTILLATING racing action is speeding into East London this weekend as the third round of the 2017 Extreme Racing Festival takes centre-stage at the East London Grand Prix track on Saturday. In the spotlight will be three South African National Championship classes in the Sasol GTCs, Engen Volkswagen Cup and Investchem Formula 1600 races. They will be backed up by a quartet of visiting Northern Regions championship classes in the spectacular G&A Extreme Supercars, the Comsol Volkswagen Challenge and a pair of Red Square Kawasaki ZX10 Masters and Bridgestone Thunder Bike motorcycle classes.
On the main GTC front current championship leader Gennaro Bonafede is excited to race at the historic track once more and relishes the fast, sweeping nature of the 3.8km long circuit.
“The BMW GTC racing car is significantly different to when we raced here in December last year,” explained Bonafede.
“The cars are running faster lap times this year and with soft compound tyres, Potter’s will be really hairy.
“Braking is key to a fast lap, if you hit the pedal too late, you scrub off too much speed and will be slow on the following straight.
“This race is very important in my championship journey and I need to stay focused and keep my composure.”
One of Bonafede’s challengers will be former East Londoner Robert Wolk who will be looking to impress on his home circuit.
Wolk claimed his first points of the season with a solid showing in the second round at Kyalami and will be aiming to build on that this weekend.
“The track is amazingly fast and you are on full throttle for about 80% of the lap,” said Wolk.
“It will be interesting to see what grip levels my BMW gives me through Potter’s Pass and Rifle Range corners.
“My goal is certainly to improve from my last performance at Kyalami.”
Plenty of other racing will be on show and some extremely tight finishes are expected.
Besides the racing there will be a kiddies entertainment corner, a flea market, food vendors, canteen and a fully licensed pub.
Entry for the festival will cost R50 for adults, if you buy from Vincent Hardware, Beacon Bay Spar, Best Drive on Cambridge Street or Ian's Auto Clinic before Saturday, otherwise R80 will get you in on the day.
Race fans are welcome to view the cars and talk to the drivers in the team pits between the ontrack action.
The action gets under way at 7.30am with qualifying, while the last race of the day is scheduled to start at 4.30pm.
Contact Border Motorsport on 043-736-4023, email or visit for more information.