Giordano’s Polo Cup comeback turns into the dream weekend
What CompCare Polo Cup 2023 Round 2 Report
Where Killarney International Raceway
When Saturday 18 March 2023
Community South Africa National
Not only did Giordano Lupini make a shock return to CompCare Polo Cup racing in his Tork Craft Tools Polo at Killarney over the past weekend, but the Franschhoek racer utterly dominated proceedings with a rare grand slam overall victory.
“What a perfect weekend! Giordano admitted. “Pole position, both race wins, and both fastest laps. “And I only decided to drive on Monday after being out of the car since last year!”
Giordano had written off racing in 2023, having scored his maiden Polo Cup victory in a strong first season among a hyper competitive field in 2022. But when Master Panelbeaters called to let the team know that the car was ready for sale just a week before his local national at Killarney, Giordano and the team decided to enter at the last moment.
“We secured some last minute funding from Tork Craft Tools, Pabar Automotive Pressings, Red Earth Projects, and Bullion IT, and took the car straight to Nian du Toit racing to make sure it was dialled in. Franschhoek Sign Co made up the stickers, and we applied them before practice on Thursday.”
From there, besides the regular race weekend routine and a tiny set-up change after the first session, the team did not touch or change the car besides replacing the slightly cracked front brake discs between the races.
“For the rest, it was just plain sailing,” Giordano admitted. “All our efforts last year just fell into line; it took me a few laps to get back into it and the car was on rails throughout, so much so that we never even looked at any data all weekend!
“We went quickest in session 2 and virtually did not look back from there, besides for a quick fight back the lap after a brave move from Charl Visser early on in heat two. “Yeah, I was a touch stiff after, but what a weekend! These do not come often; it was absolutely effortless.
“Massive thank you to Tork Craft Tools, Pabar Automotive Pressings, Red Earth Projects, and Bullion IT for believing in me, and for jumping aboard with us at such short notice. Also a big thanks must go to Nian Du Toit Racing, the car was just epic! Maybe we can keep this ball rolling?”
Issued on behalf of Giordano Lupini
Photography by: Abri de Bruyn
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