Last week we reported on Jeffrey Kruger’s second win in the Polo R Cup series in India. Not to be outdone, his two rivals from the South African Polo Cup championship – 2012 champion Kelvin van der Linde and Jordan Pepper – also claimed victories on international soil this past weekend. The pair are contesting the 2013 Scirocco-R Cup monotype formula, which is a curtain raiser series to the DTM championship, in Germany.
Van der Linde’s won his fourth successive race from pole position after dominating Friday’s practice and Saturday morning’s qualifying at the famed Nurburgring circuit. The Johannesburg-raised teenager led from flag-to-flag as he qualified on pole position. This win means that he has increased his championship lead to 80 points over his nearest challenger, Michelle Gatting of Denmark, who retired after a collision.
Race two took place on Sunday and the top eight finishers from race one started in reverse grid order, which left Jordan Pepper to lead the field. He emulated his countryman’s feat of Saturday and led from start to finish. Germany’s Manuel Fahnauer claimed second place and Kasper H. Jensen from Denmark took a second third place for the weekend. Van der Linde found himself in seventh place by the end of the race after swapping places almost every lap.
“It was a tough race,” admitted Van der Linde of Sunday’s round six. “There was some blocking and shoving and I made a mistake halfway through the race that cost me dearly. Much as I’d like to, you can’t win them all. From an overall race weekend point of view, I’m very happy. I scored the most points and still have a comfortable lead in the championship. Racing is all about winning and I look forward to the opportunity to add to my tally in the three that lie ahead.”
Pepper was extremely happy with his first win in the series: “I am pleased with my win. I got off to a very good start, which allowed me to come through the first corner safely, and was fortunately able to open up a small gap at the front. I can hardly wait for the next race in Oschersleben. Kelvin has not won the title yet, and I will definitely be doing my utmost right up until the end.”
The 2012 South African Volkswagen Cup champion retains a commanding lead in the championship on 228 points with three rounds remaining. Pepper moves up to second place with 168 points.
The next round two rounds are at Oschersleben in Germany on October 19 and 20.
