What Extreme Festival Round 7 Preview
Where Zwartkops Raceway, Pretoria
When Saturday 19 October 2024
Community South Africa National
Champions Chemical Logistics looking to close in style
Chemical Logistics Racing may have the comfort of arriving at Zwartkops’ 19 October Extreme Festival with Robert Wolk having already clinched his third South African Touring Car Championship in the team’s BMW 128ti. But it could never be that simple in motor racing. Wolk’s Investchem Volkswagen Golf GTI TC teammate Julian van der Watt marches to Pretoria just six points off second in the chase, and the team would like nothing less than to steal that place to make it a championship 1-2 for 2024.
“I have had a pretty good season, but it all went awry when I rolled the Golf and failed to score in either East London races a couple of rounds back,” Julian admits. “Now with Robert off the hook and confirmed as champion, the objective is that championship 1-2, so I will be chasing nothing less than maximum points at Zwartkops this weekend. The WCT team has given me a perfect car all season long, so now it’s up to me to pull it off. Bring it on!”
“I have to say, it’s quite strange and comforting all at the same time to arrive at the finale with the championship wrapped up for once, rather than it being another mad chase,” Robert Wolk grinned. “The objective this weekend is to deliver that team 1-2, but I’m also looking forward to a good, hard weekend of racing without any worries. I must also take the opportunity to thank Ian, Stuart and every member of our incredible team for all the effort that’s gone in. Not just to this season, but also to the rest of my championship titles and the years of graft we put in before that too. It all just makes every title that much sweeter.”
Third team member, South African Touring Cars rookie Andrew Schofield has quietly moved up the championship log to sit sixth and tantalisingly close to fifth in the chase. That in spite of missing a meeting in his FlySafair Chemical Logistics BMW 128ti TC. “My consistency and 100% finishing rate are paying dividends as I continue to learn race by race though my rookie Touring Car season,” Andy explains. “I’m looking forward to more of the same to close off at Zwartkops this weekend, so thanks to my team in advance, and here’s to another great day of racing!”
“Chemical Logistics WCT Racing arrives at Zwartkops as champions, but our job is not over just yet,” team manager Stuart Thompson adds. “Not only does Julian have a very good chance of stealing second in the chase, but Andy can also grab fifth. So it may become a very tactical weekend where Rob may just have to play the pawn for once!” Team principal Ian Schofield concluded: “We have met our main objective with another championship for Rob, so well done to everyone on that. There’s however still another job to do. Let’s go get that 1-2, and a fifth, guys!”
Issued on behalf of Chemical Logistics Racing
Photography by: Abri De Bruyn
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