6 Speed Track Attack: Jurie, Gio Fight Back in Style
Polo Cup ’22 Part 3: Bullion IT Duo Swart & Lupini Race Back at Zwartkops.
There was an unusually long gap between the opening round of the 2022 Compcare Polo Cup at Killarney early in March, and the second round National Extreme Festival races at Zwartkops. Bullion IT Racing duo Jurie Swart led the championship chase after three races in the blue Bullion IT Polo, while leading turbo Polo Cup rookie Giordano Lupini showed exceptional pace in the red Bullion IT Polo with pole position and a couple of quickest laps in the races at the pair’s home meeting in Cape Town.
Plenty Preparation & No Illusions ‘in the Lion’s Den’
Swart and Lupini were however under no illusions about their trek up to the Pretoria races. “We are walking into the lion’s den,” Jurie explained in the lead-up to the weekend. “Like we enjoyed a hometown advantage at Killarney last time out, most of our rivals are based at Zwartkops and we will be racing in their back yard”. Jurie however won both races last time out at the Pretoria circuit. “We had a great run in Pretoria in October, but we can’t rest on those laurels, especially with vengeance in the air!”
Giordano was however heading to his first race at Zwartkops in five years. “Zwartkops will be a bit more of a learning curve for me, because it’s been a while since I last raced up there,” Gio explained. “But I think we are well enough prepared and I can’t wait to get back up to Pretoria with my Bullion IT Polo Cup, although it won’t be easy considering we are racing against most of our rivals on their home track.”
Young Lupini’s preparation included a wildcard entry to for the season opening PABAR VW Challenge races at Zwartkops (above). “We decided to rather go racing at tracks where I need to refresh on, or to race at for the first time for my extramural motorsport this year,” Giordano explained. “So, with Zwartkops coming up we took a leap of faith and rented a racer for Zwartkops and travelled up a couple of weeks before the Polo race there.
Neither Driver Rested in the Long Pause Between Races
“I only saw the car for the first time the Thursday afternoon. “It had not raced for a while, so we spent quite a bit of time sorting it through the weekend. “We proved competitive, and I even got it to the front in the second heat. “Most importantly, I was back up to speed there for Zwartkops’ Polo Cup round and we had a great weekend racing in a different crowd, we made new friends and had a great time. “The wait is almost over — we shake down this week and then it’s back to Zwartkops — can’t wait!”
Teammate Jurie also kept himself busy in the gap. First, he dusted his old kart off and took a wildcard entry to a local regional. “I never did any testing and it rained in Friday practice, so I just jumped on and went straight into qualifying, which was a bit of an ask. “Still, I had a good day in the races, chasing the super sharp regulars hard. “Karting is so intense and sharpens up the senses, so it’s great to have a go!”
Jurie then returned to the Alert Engine Parts GTi Challenge the following weekend (above), where he enjoyed a monumental dice with old rival Marco Busi. “We had a cracking weekend — I put it on Pole and took the day overall. “There’s nothing better than a mad dice to sort my racecraft and that’s exactly what we did this weekend.” Both Jurie and Giordano regularly train on the sim, in the gym, jog and work out to their regular programs, but there’s no substitute for real live seat time on track.