Johannesburg, October 2024 – The fiercely competitive 2024 South African National Astron Energy Polo Cup is poised for an electrifying finale at the Zwartkops Extreme Festival on Saturday, 19 October. With Jason Loosemore on the brink of securing the championship, and his closest rival Ethan Coetzee still in the hunt, motorsport fans are in for a thrilling conclusion to what has been a dramatic season.
Loosemore, representing Security Fencing & Alarms Team Red, has been a dominant force throughout the year. After two seasons of gaining experience in the Polo Cup series, 2024 saw him rise to the top of the standings. Despite facing tough competition and the early-season exit of his primary rival, Nathan Victor, Loosemore maintained his lead. However, Coetzee’s resilience has kept the championship battle alive, with a double victory in East London and a points tie with Loosemore in the Cape race, ensuring that the title fight remains undecided.
The race for third place has been equally intense. Mo Karodia, who moved ahead of Victor after a strong showing at Killarney, now finds himself under pressure from Volkswagen rookie champion Kyle Visser. Visser, fresh off a commanding victory at his home track, heads to Pretoria with his sights set on overtaking Karodia for third in the standings. With momentum on his side, Visser’s pursuit of another win adds another layer of excitement to the finale.
The Zwartkops circuit will also see seasoned competitors like Sabertek’s Charl Smalberger and Rory Atkinson vying for victory. Smalberger’s recent win at Killarney positions him as a serious contender, while Atkinson, despite four pole positions at the previous event, has yet to convert them into a win. Both drivers will be eager to prove themselves on race day.
Other drivers to watch include Jeandre Marais from Syrabix Team Red, as well as rookie Hannes Scheepers, who balances a career in dentistry with his aspirations in motorsport. Team Red’s Roshaan Goodman and AF Fans Team Red’s Tyler Robinson have shown speed beyond what their current championship standings suggest, and both will be looking to make a statement at Zwartkops. The emerging talents of Nirav Singh, Pierluigi Muzzulini, and Bjorn Bertholdt further add to the excitement, making this final race a true spectacle for Gauteng’s racing enthusiasts.
In the Astron Energy Polo Masters, veteran Wayne Masters has steadily built an impressive lead, winning five of the last six races in his Alpha FSS Polo. However, his long-time rival, Derick Smalberger, is not far behind, ensuring that the Masters title is still up for grabs. Both drivers will have the advantage of racing on their home track at Zwartkops, adding a personal edge to this high-stakes contest.
While the title fight between Masters and Smalberger takes centre stage, John Kruger’s Habot Lubricants Polo is expected to play a disruptive role in Pretoria. The battle for fourth place in the Masters division is equally compelling, with PABAR’s Mike Barbaglia, Luigi Ferro in his second Alpha FSS entry, Chris Dale from Dale Automation, and ATE Brakes driver Elna Croeser all in contention. Additionally, Elio Muzzulini will represent FSS, with a strong performance potentially shaping the final standings.
As the 2024 season comes to a close, Gauteng race fans are in for a spectacular display of skill, strategy, and speed at the Zwartkops Extreme Festival. With championships hanging in the balance and drivers pushing their limits, the Astron Energy Polo Cup promises to deliver a finale worthy of its reputation as one of South Africa’s premier racing series.
