The Engen Volkswagen Cup series, known for its robust racing tactics and “school of hard-knocks” approach to national motorsport, delivered on another exciting race day at Phakisa. With three rounds to go in the 2014 championship, there are some clear battle lines drawn.
Championship leader Daniel Rowe (11) left the Phakisa round of the Super Series still at the front of this one-make series – but by a narrow five-point margin. His closest rival now is his teammate, Sheldon van der Linde (16).
Rowe’s weekend started well with the fastest qualifying time – with Van der Linde and Dewald Brummer (2) proving the next two quickest racers. Rowe then built on that pace to win the first race, with Brummer taking second and Van der Linde in third spot. Trevor Bland (M6) was the fastest of the Masters competitors, bringing his Polo Vivo home in fifth spot.
In race two things went awry for Rowe when he was unceremoniously helped off the circuit in the penultimate lap, crashing through one of the barriers in the process. This pushed him right down the order and he finished outside of the top 10 overall for the day.
Van der Linde claimed the chequered flag in race two, with Brummer in second spot and Bland rounding out the top three – with the overall results for the day showing this same order.
The Phakisa event saw Michael Gibson (21) in his first pole position start in the series and it was Matt Shorter (33) who was awarded the Driver of the Day title – finishing seventh overall on his debut in the series.
Zwartkops is the next outing for the Engen Volkswagen Cup racers – on Saturday, 30 August.
