Nelson Mandela Bay Tests the ‘6 Speed Racing Team’
Aldo Scribante’s CompCare Polo Cup races in June ultimately proved more challenging for the 6-Speed Racing Team.
While ‘6 Speed Racing Team’ driver Giordano Lupini was excited to race on neutral ground at Aldo Scribante’s CompCare Polo Cup races in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa’s June fourth round races, the weekend ultimately proved more challenging. Having stared his season late and two rounds into the championship, Lupini came out of his corner fighting, taking three race wins and a couple of third places in his five previous races.
The Aldo Scribante Racetrack was however not as kind to Giordano and his Tork Craft Tools Volkswagen, as the previous two rounds were at Killarney and Zwartkops. While he delivered a good showing in both the sprint and mini endurance races on the day, Gio was frustrated not to be able to show his true pace through the race weekend.
Aldo Scribante Proved a Tough Nut to Crack
“We may have started late, but I had a fantastic run in the five races since we returned,” Giordano explains. “We took the pole position bonus point at both Killarney and Zwartkops and won three of our five heats, with two thirds in the other two races. So our objective was to be on the podium every race and to try score as many points as possible.”
The Aldo Scribante weekend however proved a bit of a tough nut to crack. Qualifying was ruined by a back marker getting in Giordano’s way on his hot lap. “I had to use my last push to pass to fight back into Superpole,” Gio rued. “That left us without push to pass for that critical Superpole lap, which cost us half a second, or about the gap to pole. So instead of starting on the front row, I ended up fifth on the grid on row 3.”
Crashes Brought Out Yellow & Red Flags
Race 1 was already a short eight lapper. And then the safety car was out for three of them to clean up after a first lap crash. “That meant that everyone basically had push to pass for the rest of the race. So it was almost impossible to pass and we all ended up where we started. We were fourth on the 40-minute race 2 grid, and I made a great start to get into third. Then the race was stopped after another crash.
“I managed to do the same at the restart to get up to third in that race now shortened to half an hour, but Anthony Pretorius proved impossible to pass. Even though I was quicker around the back, pushing so hard behind made the car a bit too hot and that neutralize our push to pass advantage and made it impossible to make a move on the straights.
A Multi Car Battle at Aldo Scribante
“Our dice became a multi car battle, I tried hard for second, but held on for third. I must say well done to Anthony for keeping it together under pressure! Unfortunately, I picked up a startline penalty along the way, which dropped us a couple of places overall, but we still came home with silverware.
“No excuses, but we had great pace this weekend. It was just one of those days where we were unable to use it. It’s a pity because Nian du Toit Racing gave me a really good car this weekend. So we certainly had the pace to fight up front. “So, yes, mama warned us about days like this! But Aldo Scribante was a tough one after our great performance in the previous few races.
“Now it’s onward and upward to the superfast East London Grand Prix later in July,” Giordano concluded. “The Tork Craft Volkswagen is in great form, I’m already ready and we can’t wait. Bring it on!”
Images: Andre Laubscher