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
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
32 minutes ago
- The South African
South Africans say YES to DStv sports packages
South Africans are fully supporting Multichoice's contemplation of offering a sports-only package for DStv subscribers. The satellite television company is also toying with the idea of unbundling SuperSport from its pay-TV platform. In recent months, the company has taken a massive knock in revenue loss after losing hundreds of thousands in subscriptions. According to social media users, this follows the company's tone-deaf approach to affordability, diversity, and demands. Earlier this month, Multichoice Group CEO Calvo Mawela stated that the company would investigate whether unbundling SuperSport from DStv and launching a sports-only package would be a feasible option for its business model. He said at the time: 'We've accelerated that project in terms of getting us to finalise which direction we're going to take in this financial year. But yes, we are considering all options as part of a broader product offering going forward'. The investigation will conclude at the end of the current financial year-end in March 2026. Broadcaster Gareth Cliff polled his followers to see if they would support the move to a sports-only tailored DStv package or simply a SuperSport option. An overwhelming 94% of voters responded positively. Here's what a few had to say… @renierferreira: 'PAY PER CHANNEL ONLY! People don't want DStv 'bundles'. I'll pay R99 pm just for SuperSport 1 on ONE device.' @WTFSA13: 'R350 for all sports channels, and I am in' @SwartNatalie: 'Yes, then we can actually afford to watch sport again!' Currently, the SuperSport group of channels is offered on DStv's Premium package – it's most expensive – which currently costs R949. For many sports enthusiasts, 'off season' means pausing their subscriptions or cancelling them altogether. In multiple financial reports, Multichoice has acknowledged that the rising cost of living meant that 'households are struggling to make ends meet and many had no choice but to give up their DStv subscription for the time being.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
'Mistakes happen': Ronwen gets love, rage from Sundowns fans
Ronwen Williams' performance in the Mamelodi Sundowns vs Borussia Dortmund Fifa Club World Cup has left many South Africans hot and bothered. The Masandawana goalkeeper and captain became a trending topic on the X platform after the South African club lost 3-4 to the German club. Sundowns is the only SA club to compete at the tournament. On Saturday, 21 June, Sundowns faced off against Dortmund in their second group stage match. The final whistle blew at 3-4 in Dortmund's favour. On social media, many South African soccer fans blamed Sundowns captain Ronwen Williams for being behind a series of errors which they believe cost the club a victory. One was his accidental passing to Dortmund striker Felix Nmecha, who used the opportunity to score a goal. On the X, some fans like DJ Mo Flava supported Ronwen, adding that 'mistakes happen'. When Sports channel ESPN Africa posed the question to its followers: 'Keep or drop Ronwen Williams?', many agreed with the DJ. @phungula_BC: 'Definitely keep. All ball-playing keepers are bound to make mistakes from time to time, Ronwen is no exception'. @LondzMkhumbuzi: 'It happens to everyone, top goalkeepers bounce back stronger.' Others weren't so forgiving of the Sundowns captain. @VictorVeeM: 'When we said don't compare him to [Itumeleng] Khune, they told us that we don't know football'. @KingBaloyii: 'He has reached the expiry date'. Sundowns are set for a make-or-break match against Brazil's Fluminense on Tuesday, 24 June, in their final Fifa Club World Cup group stage match. The SA club currently ranks third in Group F, under Dortmund and Fluminense. A victory would secure them a spot in the Round of 16, regardless of Dortmund's result against South Korea's Ulsan, who have yet to score in the tournament. In the case of a draw, SA could only advance if Ulsan beat the German team by a long shot. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Thembinkosi Lorch continues to impress at Club World Cup
Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates winger Thembinkosi Lorch has continued to impress at the FIFA Club World Cup. The Wydad Casablanca star was voted Man of the Match despite his team losing 4-1 to Juventus in their second match of the tournament. The former Bafana Bafana pulled one back for Wydad in the first half to make the scoreline 2-1 however, the Italians scored two more goals to win the match. Against Manchester City, Thembinkosi Lorch also impressed, and he is now one of the best-performing African players in the FIFA Club World Cup. Many South African fans have credited Rulani Mokwena for bringing the winger to Wydad earlier this year after months of frustrations at Sundowns. @RealTshemedi wrote: 'Lorch has a hot song named after him. He is also playing at the Club World Cup and shining. You gotta Stan a goat.' @JoBertrand19 wrote: 'Lorch just scored for Wydad against Juventus. What a player when he is on form and with the right mindset. Another great advertisement for SA football at this Club World Cup 'Rulani Mokwena built a monster in Lorch. his blueprint is all over this Wydad team,' tweeted @khedsmann. 'We don't thank Rulani Mokwena enough for taking Thembinkosi Lorch to Morocco. This one's for you, Coach Rulani. You understood the assignment & delivered our star to the world stage,' tweeted @MT_Ntsonda. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
