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The Citizen
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
East London buckles up for National Extreme Festival action
Historic circuit to test drivers with life-long straights and technical infield. Michael van Rooyen (Gazoo Toyota Corolla) and Julian van der Watt (Volkswagen Golf 8) could fight for victories in Saturday's South African Touring Car races in East London Photograph: Dave Ledbitter South Africa's premier motorsport travelling show will visit the country's fastest racetrack on Saturday. The iconic East London Grand Prix circuit will host round five of the 2025 National Extreme Festival presented by Coca Cola, with six categories on four and two wheels taking to the historical tarmac. Premier status on the day will belong to the South African Touring Car category, with 20 competitors to face the starter. Tin-top veteran Michael van Rooyen will attend as current championship leader in his Gazoo Toyota Corolla, facing off against drivers like Jagger Robertson (76 Legacy VW Golf 8), Keegan Campos (Campos Transport BMW 128i), Julian van der Watt (Chemical Logistics VW Golf 8), Saood Variawa (Gazoo Toyota Corolla), Andrew Schofield (Chemical Logistics BMW 128i), Nathi Msimanga (Gazoo Toyota Corolla) and Siyabonga Monkonkwana (Investchem Toyota Corolla). ALSO READ: National Extreme Festival gives the Zwartkops faithful their wish Thrilling SupaCup racing on cards Heading up the SupaCup category should be Jonathan Mogotsi (VW Genuine Parts SupaPolo), Tate Bishop (ANGRI SupaPolo), Dean Venter (Platinum Mile SupaPolo), Dawie van der Merwe (Gazoo Toyota Starlet), Andre Bezuidenhout (Weltevreden VW SupaCup), Jason Loosemore (Astron Energy VW SupaCup), Karah Hill (Kalex SupaPolo) and Nicolas Vostanis (Campos Transport SupaPolo). Nicolaos Vostanis (Campos Transport SupaPolo) and Tate Bishop (ANGRI SupaPolo) should be front runners in the SupaCup races. Photograph: Dave Ledbitter Both categories should provide spectacular racing in the National Extreme Festival, with the East London venue's combination of life-long straight and tight, technical infield challenging drivers' abilities to the full. The same should be true of the Astron Energy Polo Cup races, with top contenders to include Wayne Masters (Performance Masters Polo), Rory Atkinson (Industry Petroleum Polo), Hannes Scheepers (Dainfern Dental Polo), Ethan Coetzee (Lee Thompson Polo), Mohammed Karodia (Fast 5 Polo), Bradley Liebenberg (VW Polo), Charl Smalberger (SABERTEK Polo), Bjorn Bertholdt (Sizazani Plastics Polo), Tyler Robinson (AF Fans Polo) and Derek Smalberger (SABERTEK Polo). ALSO READ: Hiding over as Toyota GR Cup prepares for East London challenge Mohammed Karodia (Fast 5 Polo) and Rory Atkinson (Industry Petroleum Polo) could mount podiums after the Astron Energy Polo Cup heats. PhotograpH: Dave Ledbitter The East London circuit will force National Extreme Festival drivers to use their vehicles' 'Push to Pass' facility with wisdom, turning the final few laps of each race into high speed chess games. Toyota GR Cup action The Gazoo Racing SA Cup driven by Netstar races will see 23 cars on the grid, divided into three separate classes. Mario da Sousa in his GR Corolla should be the man to beat in the Dealership Challenge, challenged by people like Johannes Boonzaaier, Werner Venter, Dylan Jones, Werner Hord, Theo Brits and Riaan de Roux (Corolla). The Gazoo Racing Cup's 86 class should see front runners like Kyanya Ngwenya in the heat of battle. Photograph: Dave Ledbitter Nabil Abdool leads the GR Cup Media Challenge group, chased by Phuti Mpyane, Kyle Kock, The Citizen Motoring's Charl Bosch, Willem van de Putte and Lawrence Minnie. The GR 86 category will see drivers like Vatiswa Mokhonoana, Ethan Bostander, Jason Coetzee, Kent Swartz and Kyanya Ngwenya joining battle. The new MSA4 single-seater category in the National Extreme Festival will boast 18 entries, with front runners expected to include Alex Vos (Investchem MSA4), Andrew Schofield (Investchem MSA4), Kian Spies (Corsa del gemal MSA4), Allen Meyer (Investchem MSA4), Liam Polome (Red Dot MSA4), Nicolas van Weely (Magnificen Paints MSA4), Jordan Moodley (Fastrack Trading MSA4) abd Claydon Ensor-Smith (Investchem MSA4). The new MSA4 single-seater category will boast 18 entries in their first race at the East London circuit. Photograph: Dave Ledbitter ALSO READ: Kyalami closer to hosting F1, but government 'not playing its part' Two-wheel action at National Extreme Festival Multiple former SA Superbike champion Clinton Seller (King Price ZX10) has yet to be beaten in this season's SunBet ZX10 Masters title chase, and that is not likely to happen this weekend. Chasing him will be riders like Graeme van Breda (Stefanutti Stocks ZX10), Johan le Roux (Kawasaki ZX10), Hein Mc Mahon (Kawasaki ZX10), Jayson Lamb (Tyremart EL ZX10), Ian Harwood (TRP Distributors ZX10) and Reginald Seals (HXCS ZX10). Clinton Seller should win both the SunBet Masters races on his King Price Kawasaki ZX10. Photograph: Dave Ledbitter The circuit gates will be open from 7am, with qualifying in all categories from 8am. Racing proper in the National Extreme Festival will commence at 10.35am.
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
National Extreme Festival gives the Zwartkops faithful their wish
First winter months round of this year's series promised action and delivered the heat. Michael van Rooyen (Gazoo Racing Toyota Corolla) extended his South African Touring Car championship at Zwartkops on Saturday. Photograph: Dave Ledbitter. Great weather and excellent on-track action greeted spectators at the Zwartkops Raceway near Pretoria on Saturday, when the venue hosted round four of the National Extreme Festival Presented By Coca-Cola. Touring Cars Top billing belonged to the South African Touring Car championship brigade, with 22 cars facing the starter. Race one went to Keegan Campos (Campos Transport BMW 128ti), chased to the flag by Michael van Rooyen (Gazoo Racing Toyota Corolla), Julian van der Watt (Chemical Logistics Volkswagen Golf GTI) and Nathi Msimanga (Gazoo Racing Toyota Corolla). Race two was red-flagged almost immediately when the Chemical Logistics BMW 128it of Andrew Schofield and the Campos BMW 128it made brutal contact at the turn two hairpin. ALSO READ: National Extreme Festival gives it its all at Aldo Scribante Both Campos and Schofield got their vehicles out of the sand trap and, with a brand new race declared, could rejoin the grid. The new race then ended behind the safety car under double waved yellow flags after Siyabonga Mankonkwana went off in the ultra-fast turn one and parked his Investchem Toyota Corolla deep in the sand trap. After all of which van Rooyen won, followed by Saood Variawa (Gazoo Racing Toyota Corolla), van der Watt and Msimanga. SupaCup The first SupaCup heat was won by Jonathan Mogotsi (Volkswagen Genuine Parts SupaPolo), leading home Jason Loosemore (Astron Energy Volkswagen SupaPolo), Tate Bishop (ANGRi Volkswagen SupaPolo) and Charl Visser (Charl Engineering Volkswagen SupaPolo). Jonathan Mogotsi (Volkswagen Genuine Parts SupaPolo) won both of Saturday's SupaCup races. Photograph: Dave Ledbitter. Mogotsi won the next race as well, chased over the line by Bishop, Loosemore and Visser. Polo Cup The Astron Energy Polo Cup category tackled three race heats on the day, making Dunlop tyre conservation a vital part of drivers' strategy. Rory Atkinson (Industry Petroleum) won race one from Mohammed Karodia (Fast 5), Hannes Scheepers (Dainfern Dental) and Dhivyen Naido (Production X). Rory Atkinson (Industry Petroleum) won all three of the Astron Energy Polo Cup races. Photograph: Dave Ledbitter. Atkinson won race two as well, this time ahead of Karodia, Judd Bertholdt (Rookie Cup) and Roshaan Goodman (Upward Spiral). Race three was red-flagged on the opening lap when four cars spun off in the hairpin and got stuck. Everybody managed to rejoin though, and the race went to Atkinson, holding off Karodia, Tyler Robinson (AF Fans) and Goodman. Supercars Jonathan du Toit (Trans Africa Racing Lamborghini Huracan) won the first Dunlop Extreme Supercar race ahead of Charl Arangies (Stradale Porsche 911 GT3 R), Gianni Giannoccaro (G&H Transport Nissan GT-R) and Kris Budnik (Bucketlist Components Dodge Viper). In the process, du Toit set the day's quickest overall lap time of 59.67 seconds. Jonathan du Toit (Trans Africa Racing Lamborghini Huracan) won all three Dunlop Extreme Supercar races. Photograph: Dave Ledbitter. Arangies parked the Porsche on the warm-up lap of race two, leaving du Toit to win again, followed by Giannoccaro, Paul Hill (Kalex Audi R8 GT3) and Budnik. Du Toit made it a full house by winning race three as well, ahead of a returning Arangies, Giannocarro and Ricky Giannocarro (G&H Transport Mercedes-AMG GT3). Two-wheels Multiple Superbike champion Clinton Seller (King Price) led the opening SunBet Kawasaki ZX10 Masters Cup from lights to flag, finishing ahead of Damion Purificati (Amulgum Welding), Jayson Lamb (Tyremart East London) and Hein McMahon (K9 Law). Seller won race two easily as well, followed by Purificati, Greame van Breda (Stefanutti Stocks) and McMahon. MSA4 The all-new Investchem MSA4 single-seater category made its long-awaited debut, with 14 of the one-litre turbocharged Volkswagen-powered cars on the grid. Former Formula Ford racer KC Ensor-Smith (African Heating) took the race one victory, chased to the flag by Shrien Naidoo (Production X), Renzo Ribiero (Metal Used Spares) and Nicolas van Weely (Investchem). Former Formula Ford racer KC Ensor-Smith (African Heating) took two of the three Investchem MSA4 single-seater races. Photograph: Dave Ledbitter. Ensor-Smith won race two as well, followed by Ribiero, Adriaan Nel (SignFactory) and Liam Polome (Red Dot). Race three went to Mikeil Bezuidenhout (Corsa Dei Gemelli), ahead of Karabo Malemela (KMFT Morita), Polome and Ensor-Smith. Volkswagen Rookie Cup The first Volkswagen Rookie Cup, in which all drivers uses standard Polo Vivo GTs, went to Josh Moore (BPW Puma), ahead of Christopher Tait (Sportex), Mauro da Luz (Retail) and Uzair Khan (TSS). Tait won race two ahead of Moore, Da Luz and Khan. Toyota GR Cup The Toyota Gazoo Cup Racing brigade again produced top spectacle, with close racing in all three classes. GR driving instructor Devon Scott (GR Yaris) took the opening dealership Cup race from Mario da Sousa (GR Corolla), Werner Venter (GR Corolla) and Paul de Vos (GR Corolla). Scott, da Sousa and Venter filled the Dealership Cup race two podium as well, followed by. Nadil Abdool (SuperSport) took both media event victories, leading home Phuti Mpayane (TimesLive) on both occasions, with Kyle Kock (CAR Magazine) placing third in race one and The Citizen's Charl Bosch in race two. The first GR86 race went to Jason Coetzee, ahead of Kent Swartz, Khya Nggenya and Justin Rogers. Coetzee won race two as well, chased by Swartz, Nggenya and Brandon van der Walt. Next up The next round of the National Extreme Festival will be at the East London Grand Prix on 19 July. ALSO READ: Kyalami shows its teeth to National and Regional Extreme Festivals
The Citizen
19-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
National Extreme Festival in-gear to bring the heat to Zwartkops
Two and four wheel fans will be catered for as the series returns to the Highveld for the first time since Kyalami in May. Jagger Robertson (Sparco Volkswagen Golf GTI) should be a podium chaser in Saturday's South African Touring Car races at Zwartkops. Photograph: Dave Ledbitter. South African circuit racing will return to the Zwartkops Raceway near Pretoria this Saturday, when the venue will host round four of the National Extreme Festival Presented by Coca-Cola series. The event will see 121 competitors in eight disciplines taking to the tarmac. Touring Cars Heading up proceedings will be two races for the South African Touring Car Championship. Tin-top veteran Michael van Rooyen (Toyota Gazoo Racing Corolla) will go to Zwartkops as the current points leader, with his closest title rival youngster Jagger Robertson (Sparco Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI). ALSO READ: National Extreme Festival gives it its all at Aldo Scribante Other drivers who could spoil their day will include Keegan Campos (Campos Transport BMW 128ti), Andrew Schofield (Chemical Logistics BMW 128it), Saood Variawa (Toyota Gazoo Racing Corolla), Julian van der Watt (Chemical Logistics Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI) and Siyabonga Mankonkwana (Investchem Toyota Corolla). SupaCup Starting behind them will be the SupaCup category, with Tate Bishop (ANGRi Racing Volkswagen SupaPolo) the man to beat. Tate Bishop (ANGRi Racing Volkswagen SupaPolo) should be the man to beat in the SupaCup category. Photograph: Dave Ledbitter. His closest rivals should include Jonathan Mogotsi (Volkswagen Genuine Parts SupaPolo), Charl Visser (Charl Engineering Volkswagen SupaPolo), Dawie van der Merwe (Toyota Gazoo Racing SupaStarlet), Dean Venter (Platinum Mile Volkswagen SupaPolo), David Franco (Graphix Supply Volkswagen SupaPolo) and Karah Hill (Kalex Volkswagen SupaPolo). Polo Cup The Astron Energy Volkswagen Polo Cup races should see Mohammed Karodia (Fast 5 Motorsport) as the man to beat. Derek Smalberger (Sabertek) should chase podium places in the Astron Energy Volkswagen Polo Cup races. Photograph: Dave Ledbitter. He will face off against drivers like Ethan Coetzee (Ethan Coetzee Motorsport), Rory Atkinson (Industry Petroleum), Tyler Robinson (AF Fans), Wayne Masters (Performance Masters) and John Kruger (Habot Lubricants) Not to be overlooked for a top position will be the likes of Derick Smalberger (Sabertek), Bevin Masters (CPS Warehouse), Mike Barbaglia (Pabar), Hannes Scheepers (Dairnfern Dental Polo), Bjorn Bertholdt (Sizanani Plastics), Charl Smalberger (CPS Warehouse Polo) and Pierluigi Muzuzulini (FSS International). Extreme Supercars The event's quickest lap times should come courtesy of the Dunlop Extreme Supercar category, with podium chasers to include Jonathan du Toit (Trans Africa Racing Lamborghini Huracan) Charl Arangies (Stradale Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 R) and Kris Budnik (Bucketlist Composites Dodge Viper). Charl Arangies (Stradale Porsche 911 GT3 R) could spray the champagne after Saturday's Dunlop Extreme Supercar races. Photograph: Dave Ledbitter. Also set to be the running will be Damian Hammond (Liqui Moly Lamborghini Huracan), Ricky Giannocvcaro (G&H Transport Mercedes-AMG GT3) and Paul Hill (Kalex Audi R8 LMS). Two-wheels Multiple South African Superbike champion Clinton Seller (King Price) will be the man to beat in the SunBet Kawasaki ZX10 Masters Cup races. Chasing him will be riders like Greame van Breda (Stefanutti Stocks), Jayson Lamb (Tyremart East London), David Enticott (Ravenol), Damion Purificati (Amalgum Welding), Dieter Huysamen (Adventure Xtreme), Sfiso Themba (Wakahina), Johan Le Roux (Avidan) and Brian Bontekoning (Jaguar Air Products). MSA4 Making its official debut at Zwartkops will be the new Investchem MSA4 single-seater championship. Making its official debut at Zwartkops will be the new Investchem MSA4 single-seater championship. Photograph: Dave Ledbitter. Top contenders should include Alex Vos (Investchem), KC Ensor-Smith (African Heating), Nicolas van Weely (Investchem), Shirien Naidoo (Production X), Mikai Bezuidenhout (Corsa Del Gemelli), Karabo Malemela (KMFT), Ndazalo Khoza (Ducted Solutions) and Liam Polome (Red Dot). Toyota GR Cup The Toyota GR Cup races will dish up a host of battles in various classes. In the GR86s, championship leader Jason Coetzee will be the pre-event winning favourite, with his closest adversaries being Mbuso Ngwenya, Kent Swartz, Vatisva Mokhonoana, Justin Rogers and Khanya Ngwenya. The media challenge in the GR Yaris' will be headed by runaway championship leader, Nabil Abdool (SuperSport), chased by CAR Magazine's Kyle Kock, TimesLive's Phuti Mpyane, Lawrence Minnie (AutoTrader), The Citizen's Charl Bosch and IOL/Independent's Willem van der Putte. Veteran racer Mario de Sousa should win the dealer class in the GR Corolla, but chased hard by the likes of Werner Venter, Theo Brits, Tiaan Combrinck, Andries de Villiers, Johan Boonzaaier and Riaan de Ru. Volkswagen Rookie Cup Leading contenders in the all-Volkswagen Rookie Cup, using standard Polo Vivo GT's, should be Uzair Khan (TSS), Christopher Tait (Sportex), Josh Moore (BPW), Karabo Malemela (KMFT Morita) and Shrien Naidoo (Production X). When and how much? The Zwartkops gates will be open from 07h00, with racing to commence at 10h30. Admission will cost R140 per adult and R120 per student, with children under 12 years of age to enter for free. Everybody is invited to visit the pits on foot at all times, and the circuit's Mini Moke trains will run between the pit gate and spectator areas throughout the day. Saturday's racing will be broadcast live via the Extreme Festival website. For more information contact the Zwartkops race office at 012 384 2299 or e-mail them at Info@ ALSO READ: Kyalami shows its teeth to National and Regional Extreme Festivals
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
National Extreme Festival treks seaside to Aldo Scribante
South Africa's premier circuit racing series makes its second visit to the coast this year after the season opener in Cape Town in March. Saood Variawa (Gazoo Racing Toyota Corolla) and Michael van Rooyen (SVR Steelworks Toyota Corolla) should be front runners in Saturday's South African Touring Car races. Photograph: Dave Ledbitter. The Aldo Scribante circuit outside Gqeberha will host round three of this year's National Extreme Festival Presented by Coca-Cola this weekend, with six disciplines on four and two wheels taking to the tarmac. Touring Cars Heading up proceedings will be two races for South African Touring Cars. ALSO READ: Kyalami shows its teeth to National and Regional Extreme Festivals Leading the title chase, and the man to beat, should be veteran Michael van Rooyen (SVR Steelworks Toyota Corolla), with his closest challengers being the likes of Jagger Robertson (Sparco Volkswagen Golf GTI), Keegan Campos (Campos Trucking BMW 128ti), Saood Variawa (Gazoo Racing Toyota Corolla) and Julian van der Watt (Chemical Logistics Volkswagen Golf GTI). Also in the running will be Nathi Msimanga (Gazoo Racing Toyota Corolla), Andrew Schofield (Chemical Logistics BMW 128i) and Siyabonga Mankonkwana (Chemical Logistics Toyota Corolla). SupaCup Racing behind the Touring Cars will be the SupaCup brigade. Jonathan Mogotsi (Volkswagen Motorsport SupaPolo) should be a favourite to win the two SupaCup races. Photograph: Dave Ledbitter. They will be led by led by drivers like Tate Bishop (ANGRI Volkswagen SupaPolo), defending champion Jonathan Mogotsi (Volkswagen Motorsport SupaPolo, Charl Visser (Charl Engineering Volkswagen SupaPolo) and Dawie van der Merwe (Toyota Gazoo Racing Supa Starlet). Challenging for top places as well will Andre Bezuidenhout (Weltevreden Volkswagen SupaPolo), Jason Loosemore (Astron Energy Volkswagen SupaPolo), Karah Hill (Kalex Volkswagen SupaPolo) and Dean Venter (Platinum Mile Volkswagen SupaPolo). Polo Cup The Astron Energy Polo GTI Cup races should see Ethan Coetzee (Ethan Racing) and Mohammed Karodia (Fast 5) continue their season-long fight at the front. Ethan Coetzee (Ethan Racing) could spray champagne after Saturday's Astron Energy Polo GTI Cup races. Photograph: Dave Ledbitter. Able and willing to spoil their day should be drivers like lady racer Tyler Robinson (AF Fans), Wayne Masters (Performance Masters), John Kruger (Habot Lubricants) and Derick Smalberger (Sabertek Polo). Expected to also challenge for top places will be Rory Atkinson (Industry Petroleum), Bevan Masters (CPS Warehouse), Mike Barbaglia and Hannes Scheepers (Dainfern Dental). Two-wheels For two-wheeler enthusiasts, the SunBet Kawasaki ZX10 Masters will tackle two races, with defending champion Clinton Seller (King Price Xtreme), certainly the man to beat on top of the points table. He will face off against riders like Graeme van Breda (Stefanutli Stocks), Jayson Lamb (Tyremart EL), Adriaan van Dalen (VAG Automotive Centre ), Pieter Delport (Carlin Alademie) and James Barson (Steelmonkey Clothing). Also in the running will be Johan le Roux (Avidan Trading), Damian Purificati (Amalgum Welding Shop) and David Enticot (Ravenol SA). The Gazoo Racing Cup Driven By Netstar races should deliver spectacular action, with drivers competing in the three separate-scored classes. GR Cup Jason Coetzee will head up the Toyota GR Cup's GR86 class after having won three out of four races so far. He will be challenged by drivers like Kent Swartz, Khanya Ngwennya, Brandon van der Watt and Jordan Moodley The GR Corolla class for select Toyota dealers will see points leader Mario de Sousa being the man beat. Opposition will come from fellow Andries de Villiers, Johan Boonzaaier, Dylan Jones, Riaan de Ru, Werner Venter and Toyota GR Cup Academy instructor, Paul de Vos. Veteran tin-top racer Mario da Sousa should be the pre-event favourite in the Toyota GR Cup Corolla class for select Toyota GR dealers. Photograph: Toyota In the media section, driving the all-new GR Yaris fitted with the eight-speed Direct Automatic Transmission, runaway championship leader Nabil Abdool (SuperSport) will continue his season battle with Kyle Kock (CAR Magazine) and Phuti Mpyane (TimesLive). Fighting out for in the rest of the six car field will be Lawrence Minnie (AutoTrader), The Citizen's Charl Bosch and Willem van de Putte (Independent/IOL). Volkswagen Rookie Cup The Volkswagen Rookie Cup will start Saturday's race day programme with front runners in the identical Polo Vivo GT models to include Giovanni Florotto, Uzair Khan, Mauro Da Luz, Christopher Tait and Luke Hill. When and how much? The full event programme is available on the Extreme Festival Presented by Coca-Cola website. Admission tickets will be available from the Aldo Scribante Raceway entrance gate at R100 per adult, and children under 12 will get in for free. Saturday's full race day will be broadcast live on the Extreme Festival website. ALSO READ: National Extreme Festival opens 2025 up with a show of note
