Local and SA heroes rev it up at Aldo Scribante
IT WAS all systems in full throttle at the Aldo Scribante Circuit this past weekend, with a record number of more than 230 entries and a bumper crowd thatenjoyed the entertainment until late into the night.
The 58 motorcycle entries had to be split into two heats for each race due to the large number of entrants.
Several national and South African riders with international experience from out of town added experience to the field, but local heroes were not intimidated by them.
They seized the moment, with Rory Potgieter, in the Historic Class, on a Suzuki GSXR 750 taking the win in the PE 100.
The PE 200 had the crowds on their feet, as a compulsory three-minute pit-stop had the pit crews keeping a close eye on the stop watch.
Greg Gildenhuys, former World Superbike rider and also South African Superbike champion was outridden by Port Elizabeth’s own international star and South African Superbike champion, Arushen Moodley, on a Yamaha R1-M.
Moodley was awarded the huge Woolavington Trophy for being the overall winner of the historic PE 200.
His name will go on the trophy with legendary riders such as Joe Sarkis, who was the first rider to win the trophy.
The three-hour endurance race was won by Hennie Trollip and Jimmy Dunn in their Helderberg Porpshafts Lotus 7.
Second was Marais Ellis and Quinsley Sale in the Auto Magic PE BMW E36 and in third place was Tanya Watts and Ian Shrosbree in the Vision Yacht’s/ Brights Motorsport, Shelby Can Am.
The Volkswagen Driver Search delivered incredible results as its two finalists Jonothan Mogotsi and Ryan Rhode drove to a sensational Index of Performance win and a giant-killing sixth overall in Saturday’s race.
The rookie drivers, competing alongside regular Engen Volkswagen Polo Cup pilot Kuda Vuzhare in the penultimate phase of the search, stunned observers with a competitive and consistent performance to bring their near-standard Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSI home well up among a field comprising mostly racing sports, GT and saloon cars.
The rookies did themselves proud, qualifying an impressive 18th out of 24 cars on the starting grid, but they went on to deliver a legendary race performance.
The more experienced Rhode started the race and drove the first stint, delivering quick, but supremely consistent lap times.
“We sat the lads down after qualifying and told them that we wanted consistent one minute 22 second lap times and they banged them in lap after lap,” Volkswagen Driver Search coordinator Steve Harding said.
“Our theoretical best lap based on the data before the race was a 1:21:3 and they all came very close to that too.”
Rhode had moved up to a stunning ninth overall, while delivering supremely consistent lap times by the time he pitted to hand the Polo over to Mogotsi at the end of the first hour.
Mogotsi picked up where Rhode left off to hand the Polo over to Vuzhare in seventh position during a safety car period 50 minutes later.
Kuda was up to fifth at a point before a previously slowed sports car re-passed the Polo with a few laps to go, but the young crew was rewarded with a giant-killing sixth overall when the chequered flag dropped.
“This was my first endurance race. It was absolutely amazing,” Rhode said.
“This result proves so well how consistency pays, but it was a brilliant experience too – thanks so, so much to Volkswagen for this incredible opportunity,” he said.
“Today was an emotional rollercoaster filled with nerves and excitement,” Mogotsi said.
“The team’s positive energy is what made the day really special to me, but I have to thank Volkswagen for a truly incredible and unforgettable experience.
“I feel very privileged to have been involved in the Volkswagen Driver Search programme,” Vuzhare admitted.
“Today was testament to how brilliant local talent is being realised.”