6 Speed Track Attack: Jurie, Gio Fight Back in Style
Zwartkops Proved Character Building
Zwartkops was however to prove character-building. Both Jurie and Giordano’s weekends started well, with Swart topping the times in two of Friday’s practice sessions in the blue car and Giordano happy with his pace in the red machine as he kept a low profile in the mid-pack. But both lads were nervous for qualifying. “We were quick in race trim in Friday practice, but I felt uneasy with our single lap pace,” Jurie (above) explained. “I spent the day working on my weak points but never used push to pass at all, so while it looked slow, we knew we had decent race pace,” Gio added.
But the team’s concerns on its qualifying pace proved well founded. Polo Cup has some most interesting rules in the interests of closest racing and a fair playing field. Two of those rules cover tires. Competitors must do official practice on marked, used tires, usually the last meeting’s race rubber. But come qualifying, all cars must bolt brand four new Dunlop Direzza racing semi-slick sticker tires on. That’s what you race through the weekend.
“As I said, I felt uneasy with our single lap pace going into qualifying,” Jurie explained. Swart then ended up in a qualifying train that never worked out as planned. “My new rubber pace along with a less than ideal track position reflected in our qualifying result and I just missed out on the top six shootout in seventh. “Worst of all, it is really difficult to overtake on Zwartkops, so we really have our work cut out in the races.”
Qualifying Woes Proved Worse than Anticipated
It was a similar scenario for Giordano (above). “I had decent long stint pace, but despite doing everything I needed to. “But I just could not get enough temperature into my rear tires on the slick Zwartkops surface, and I had a moment on my hot lap,” Giordano confessed. “So, I ended up qualifying tenth for both races. “I did go out again to try get a fastest lap, but these tires only have one or two very quick laps in them when they are new. “So we kinda knew it was not going to be easy to improve, even though I almost matched my quickest lap.
Both drivers however defied the myth that Zwartkops is impossible to pass on in the races. “My good race pace came back to help me to go from seventh to fourth in the first race. “I was happy with that. “I drew fifth for race 2 and while I had the pace, that’s where I stayed”. It was a similar scenario for Giordano Lupini in the red car. “Happily, the races went much better. “I made two good starts and fought like hell to seventh in race 1 and 8th in heat 2. “It was great, close, and clean racing and I’m chuffed to have made up places despite the difficulty to pass here.
Jurie’s efforts in the blue Bullion IT Polo were enough to hold on to the provisional championship lead. “Now we just need to knuckle down and find out why we battled so in qualifying and move on to the next round at Aldo Scribante”. Despite his challenging weekend, Giordano once again ended best of the rookies on the day. He also consolidated his lead over is first year turbo Polo Cup rivals in the red Polo. “I had the pace for a top four or six today, so to have managed seventh is not too bad after all. “Most importantly, we scored some decent points, and we go home in fairly good shape.”
The Lads Got Out of Jail Free
“At the end of the day, we had a good run and kept fans on their feet. “And that’s what it is all about,” Giordano concluded. “Once again, we salute our sponsors Bullion IT for the support, especially at the races at Zwartkops. “We also thank our several fans and friends who made the 2,000-mile trip up to Pretoria to support us here. “That really was special!” Bullion IT CEO Clive Strover was delighted at his team’s Zwartkops progress, despite their challenges. “The lads had us cheering all the way — great racing all round!”
Jurie and Giordano now prepare for round 3 at Aldo Scribante in the Eastern Cape end oJune. While also relatively short and tight, Scribante is far friendlier to overtaking and opportunity. And it’s one that both drivers cannot wait to race on.
Photos: Bullion IT Racing