What CompCare Polo Cup 2023 Round 4 Report
Where Aldo Scribante, Gqeberha EP
When Saturday 17 June 2023
Community South Africa National
A hard day of Polo Cup racing at Scribante
The Aldo Scribante Racetrack was not as kind to Giordano Lupini and his Tork Craft Volkswagen, as Killarney and Zwartkops were over the previous two CompCare Polo Cup races. While he delivered a good showing in both the sprint and mini endurance races on the day, Lupini was frustrated not to be able to show his true pace through the weekend.
“That was a tough weekend after our performance in the previous two races,” Giordano admitted. “We had great pace this weekend, but it was just one of those days where we were unable to use it. Qualifying was ruined by a backmarker getting in my way on the hot lap, so I had to use my last push to pass to fight back into Superpole. That left us without push to pass, which cost us half a second, or about the gap to pole, and put me fifth on the grid.
“Race 1 was already a short eight lapper and then the safety car was out for three of them to clean up after a first lap crash. That meant that everyone basically had push to pass for the rest of the race so it was almost impossible to pass and we all ended up where we started. We were fourth on the 40 minute race 2 grid, and I made a great start to get into third, when the race was stopped for another crash.
“I managed to do the same at the restart to get up to third in that race now shortened to half an hour, but Anthony Pretorius proved impossible to pass. Even though I was quicker around the back, pushing so hard behind made the car a bit too hot to make a move on the straights. So that became a multi car battle, I tried hard to make a move, but I held on for third. I must say well done to Anthony for keeping it together under pressure!
Unfortunately I picked up a startline penalty along the way, which dropped us a couple of places overall, but we still came home with silverware. It’s a pity because Nian gave me a really good car on Saturday and we certainly had the pace to fight up front. No excuses, but it was just one of those days where we were not able to show it!
“Now it’s onward and upward to the superfast East London Grand Prix Circuit’s Extreme Festival for the next CompCare Polo Cup round 5 on Saturday 22 July. The Tork Craft Volkswagen is in great form, I’m already ready and we can’t wait. Bring it on!”
*Scuderia Lupini salutes our sponsors and partners, Tork Craft Tools, Red Earth Projects, Pabar Automotive Components, Bullion IT, AcciDent Guru, Habot Synthetic Lubricants, Franschhoek Signs, Seldenrod and all our other backers and fans, for your generous support and contributions to our racing effort.
Issued on behalf of Giordano Lupini
Photography by: Andre Laubscher
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