The Engen Volkswagen Cup field produced two exciting races at East London on Saturday. The second race finale that saw Mark Silverwood and Dewald Brummer trading blows right up to the finish line for first place will be long-remembered for the dramatic fashion of their finish.
Brummer had got his nose into the battle for race leader in the race one, challenging championship leader Kosie Weyers for the front of the pack. Here Brummer’s lead was a brief affair with Weyers reclaiming his customary place in the field this season to claim that win. He was followed home by Mathew Hodges and Jeffrey Kruger.
In race two a loose spark plug lead cost Weyers any hope of a repeat performance and he doggedly circulated the entire race, being lapped by the rest of the field to crawl home in last place. Clearly Weyers chose to play it smart, knowing that if he could get it to the finish line there might be a point in it for him.
There were, in fact, seven points waiting for him when he crossed the line. While he leaves the East London event with a lead eights points smaller than he started, it is still a healthy 46 ahead of his rivals.
With Weyers out of contention, the fight up front in that second race came right down to the wire. Silverwood had started from pole position with an open spot where Robyn Kruger’s Polo Vivo should have been. Kruger’s off in race one saw her trapped amongst the trees and she was whisked off to hospital for a thorough check-up, returning in good health to the circuit after the second race had taken place.
With a bit of clear track ahead, Brummer set off to reel in Silverwood who had built a comfortable cushion on the chasing pack. Behind him, Mathew Hodges focused on his second podium position on the day – the only driver to appear on the podium in each race.
The fight for mastery of the Masters category (drivers older than 27) continued between Eddie Rodrigues and Ettiene du Toit. The pair were separated by 12 points pre-East London and find the gap is down to just four after the event. Du Toit is reeling in Rodrigues at each event as Rodrigues attempts to extricate himself from a run of bad luck that again saw him finish outside the top 10 at this event.
Phakisa Freeway in the Free State is the next circuit to host the Engen Volkswagen Cup field who race there on Saturday, 3 August.
