What Global Touring Cars Round 6 Preview
Where Killarney International Raceway
When Saturday 9 September 2023
Community South Africa National
Robert Wolk & team seek Cape Town vengeance
Chemical Logistics Racing heads Killarney’s Global Touring Car races with it all to do in Cape Town on Saturday 9 September. Double reigning champion Robert Wolk intends to make up ground lost to points docked in the courtroom since the last round, while his Capetonian teammates Andrew Rackstraw and Julian van der Watt, and rapid rookie Josh Le Roux are also eyeing winning weekends.
Wolk dominated with a grand slam showing at East London last time out, but subsequent and as yet still inconclusive courtroom intervention robbed him of that second race win. Chemical Logistics Corolla GTC driver Robert arrives at Killarney just 13 points behind in the championship chase and double determined to make that lost ground up. “We were the quickest car at East London and we have not let up on our preparations in the hiatus since then,” Wolk admits. “Killarney has been kind to us over the years, so let’s work with that to leave in a stronger position and have everything to play for in the final round at Zwartkops in October.”
Killarney is a big deal, not only for Wolk’s Cape Town teammates Andrew Rackstraw and Julian van der Watt, but for their faithful home fans too. Rackstraw took a maiden GTC win at the previous Killarney races aboard his LTR Sparco Volkswagen Golf GTC, before two tough races and then bouncing back with an impressive run in East London last time out. “I can’t wait to get back to my home track at Killarney,” Andrew admits. “It was also the scene of my first GTC win a few months back and I am determined to give my loyal Killarney fans much more to shout about this weekend. I can’t wait!”
Fellow Capetonian Julian van der Watt is another Chemical Logistics Racing driver who knows how to win at home at Killarney. Julian made a most impressive racing return from injury over the past two GTC weekends aboard the team’s all-new BMW M 128i ti GTC and is ready to deliver aboard his new steed. “We’re finding our way around our new car and I am getting stronger and stronger by the race, so it would be wonderful to give the new Chemical Logistics BMW its first win on my home track. Let’s do this!”
Chemical Logistics Racing’s fourth GTC driver and the youngest of the quartet of former Investchem Formula 1600 champions, Josh Le Roux, has steadily grown in pace and stature in spite of him racing a slower, older spec Master Stairs Investchem Audi S3 in his rookie GTC season. “Now I’m comfortable in the old Audi and we have found some very good pace to get me back into contention,” Josh explains. “I really enjoy Killarney, so with a little luck, we can have a clean weekend there and find some good results.”
“Everyone loves visiting Cape Town and racing at Killarney, so let’s hope it’s kind to us this time around!” Chemical Logistics Racing’s WCT Engineering team boss Stuart Thompson points out. “Rob was the class of the field last time out and it was only the courtroom that currently prevents a grand slam, so let’s hope we can continue with that kind of a run in the Cape. “Both Andrew and Julian know how to win, and all Josh needs is a little luck to deliver his next breakthrough performance.”
“Chemical Logistics Racing heads to one of our favourite racetracks at Killarney this weekend and there’s another Global Touring Car championship up for grabs,” team boss Ian Schofield concludes: “All I can add, is go get it lads!”
Issued on behalf of Chemical Logistics GTC
Photography by: Andre Laubscher
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