What Extreme Festival 2023 Round 3 Preview
Where Aldo Scribante, Gqeberha EP
When Saturday 17 June 2023
Community South Africa National
Gqeberha race fans can prepare for Scribante thrills, drama
Gqeberha is bracing for a midwinter Extreme Festival storm as South Africa’s national racing roadshow heads for a vengeful midseason encounter at the Aldo Scribante racetrack on Saturday 17 June.
Nelson Mandela bay Battle lines will be drawn in the regular Global Touring Cars and GTC SupaCup, while the CompCare Polo Cup and Investchem Formula 1600s never disappoint and expect blistering speed from the G+H Extreme Supercars and closest racing in the Gazoo Leagues. Add Mobil 1 V8 Supercars and SunBet ZX10 Masters motorcycles, and PE race fans have more than enough midwinter motor racing action to look forward to!
There is no love lost following Zwartkops’ previous round Global Touring Cars shenanigans, which rumbled well into the week after. So, the Aldo GTC stakes will be even higher. Toyota Gazoo Corolla GTC trio, championship leader Saood Variawa, Michael van Rooyen and maiden winner last time out Nathi Msimanga, will fight it out with second in the championship, Robert Wolk’s Corolla. Big news is Julian van der Watt’s expected return in a brand new BMW 128 GTC alongside Andrew Rackstraw’s Golf and Audi S3 lad Josh Le Roux.
It’s just as intense in GTC SupaCup, where Bradley Liebenberg has dominated the last two rounds after a disastrous opening round. He arrives at Aldo Scribante looming large in that opening round winner, Jozi compatriot Keegan Campos’ championship mirrors. Never ignore the ever present Jonathan Mogotsi and the other man fighting back after a late start, Arnold Neveling. Look forward to a proper wrought behind them between the likes of Tato Carello, Dominic and Calvin Dias, and Cape duo, rookie Tate Bishop, and Danie van Niekerk.
CompCare Polo Cup comes home to neutral territory and is set to thrill the Eastern Cape with another comeback story making headlines. Cape lad Charl Michael Visser and Mbombela kid Dawie van der Merwe may appear to have SA’s top young driver’s title table under control. They will however be more than aware of Franschhoek lightie Giordano Lupini’s pace, following his leap up to third place since arriving on the scene a round late. Behind them, another Cape youngster, rookie Nathan Victor has Gauteng lot Farhaan Basha, Anthony Pretorius, Dean Venter, KZN kid Jason Loosemore and local lad Jeandre Marais in chase.
Another Capetonian, Troy Dolinschek swept into the lead of the 2023 Investchem Formula 1600 single seater championship with a dominant double win off pole position last time out. The man he disposed of up in Pretoria, Jozi lad Gerard Geldenhuys will be out for revenge at the Bay. Never discount Gauteng veteran Nicholas van Weely and Cape youngster Jason Coetzee, the ever present Siya Mankonkwana, top rookie KC Ensor-Smith, Alex Vos, Antwan Geldenhuys and Andrew Schofield among this quick and intense wings and slicks bunch.
If its pure speed that you’re after, never fear. The thrilling G+H Extreme Supercars will challenge Aldo Scribante’s lap record as Franco Scribante and his turbo Porsche return to take Jono du Toit’s Lamborghini Huracan on for overall honours. They must deal with Gianni Giannoccaro’s Nissan GT-R, Mark du Toit’s Lambo, Kris Budnik’s Viper and Charl Arangies’ AMG GT. Originally from PE, Scribante may well be joined by his local cousins Aldo, and Silvio’s Lamborghinis, and also Cape drivers, dad Marcel’s Ferrari and son Dayne Angel’s Porsche.
Just as fast, the thundering Mobil1 V8 Supercars return to the Extreme Festival programme at Aldo Scribante. Multiple champion Mackie Adlem has his work cut out as he for once chases young gun Julian Fameliaris’ Corvette and Lumina man Thomas Reib for the championship lead. Warren Lombard is keen to continue his positive year in his Falcon, while another Jaguar XKR driver, Franco Di Matteo wants better luck down at the Bay. Never ignore Terry and Larry Wilford, Steve Herbst, Sam Dahl, Auke Compaan and Richard Fuller either.
It’s Gauteng versus the Cape as ever in the SunBet ZX10 Masters Cup National Challenge motorcycles, so Aldo Scribante’s neutral ground should deliver even closer racing than normal. Gauteng rider Graeme van Breda will be up against Cape gang Ronald Slamet, Jayson Lamb, and David Enticott, who are always a threat, wherever they race. Brian Bontekoning, Michael Smit, Hein McMahon and Pieter de Vos are also always right there in a class that’s guaranteed to deliver the tightest possible motorcycle racing action.
Last but not least, Sa’aad Variawa will be out to regain control of the Toyota Gazoo Yaris League after Nikki Vostanis broke his winning streak last time out. Racing lass Karah Hill is still ahead of Vostanis in that title chase with Ryan Naicker, Taariq Adam, and Bjorn Bertholdt in chase. Setshaba Mashigo is the man to beat in the GR86 Media League. He has Chad Luckhoff, Denis Droppa, Mark Jones, Reuben van Niekerk and Brendan Staniforth on his case.
Aldo Scribante’s midwinter midseason third round Extreme Festival goes down on Saturday 17 June. Circuit entry is R100 for adults and R80 for students. Find Aldo Scribante off the N2 on exit 762 and into Kyalami Street, Coega. The races will also be live streamed on YouTube via the Extreme Festival’s social media channels. A wonderful family outing, the Aldo Scribante’s Extreme Festival will be thriller. Don’t miss it!
Issued on behalf of Extreme Festival
Photography by: Abri de Bruyn
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