Johannesburg, 20 May 2024 – Volkswagen Motorsport showcased their prowess in a challenging day of racing at the third round of the National Extreme Festival at Zwartkops in Pretoria on Saturday.
Jonathan Mogotsi clinched victory in the opening race and followed it up with a close second-place finish in the second race, solidifying his lead in the SATC SupaCup championship. Rookie teammate and 2023 Polo Cup champion, Charl Michael Visser, put up a fierce fight to secure fourth place, maintaining his strong second position in the SATC SupaCup standings. Meanwhile, Kyle Visser delivered an impressive performance, finishing sixth overall and emerging as the top rookie once again in the Astron Energy Polo Cup.
“Volkswagen Motorsport had another excellent day at the Zwartkops Extreme Festival,” confirmed Mike Rowe, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport. “Our drivers aimed to strengthen their championship standings, and they exceeded expectations. It was a fantastic day at the races. Well done, team!”
Jonathan Mogotsi expressed his satisfaction with the day’s results, stating, “Zwartkops was good! While we didn’t have the pace for pole position, securing the front row was crucial. I took the lead early, maintained it through the safety car phase, and won the first race. In the second race, Keegan Campos took the lead and held it despite the complications from delayed Touring Cars. A win and a second place extend our title advantage – I’ll take that. Thanks, team!”
Charl Visser also shared his experience, saying, “There were just two-hundredths of a second between second and fourth on the grid, and I started fourth. I fought back from sixth and made a successful move around the outside of turn 4 on the last lap to finish fourth. The second race started better in third, but I was caught off guard by the Touring Cars and dropped a place. Overall, it was a solid day with valuable lessons learned. Onward and upward, and thanks to my fantastic team.”
The competition in the Astron Energy Polo Cup was equally intense. “Zwartkops was my toughest weekend of the year,” explained Cup rookie Kyle Visser. “I had to work harder than ever this season. I gained and lost positions throughout the three heats but am pleased with my progress. We learned a lot once again. Huge thanks to the team for their support and providing a great car.”
Mike Rowe looked ahead, stating, “Our next race is crucial for Volkswagen Motorsport. It’s our home race at Aldo Scribante, just down the road from the Kariega plant, on Saturday, 29 June. We look forward to thrilling our fans with the best racing and great action. See you at Aldo!”
