6Speed’s Racing Lads Pass Tough Red Star Test Smiling
Race 4 Report: Gio’s best result, Jurie consolidates at Wild Red Star.
The fourth round of the 2022 Compcare Polo Cup saw 6 Speed’s featured race team Bullion IT Racing head to its midseason fourth round at Red Star Raceway with a little trepidation.
The team’s Cape based drivers, Jurie Swart and Giordano Lupini arrived fully aware of the challenges awaiting them at the Delmas raceway in South Africa’s dusty Mpumalanga province on July 2.
Jurie Arrived at Red Star Ahead in the Championship
Swart continued to lead the Polo Cup title chase on his arrival, having won three races in the three previous rounds aboard his blue and black Bullion IT car. Turbo Polo Cup rookie teammate Lupini was unbeaten among the first-year drivers in his red Bullion IT Polo. But both drivers know full well that they will have their hands full in Delmas. Their upcountry rivals were on home ground there, at the notoriously complex and challenging 13-turn racetrack.
“Red Star is probably the toughest test of our season,” Jurie explained. “Most of our Highveld rivals test their cars, and race regularly in other classes in Delmas. “So, they really know their way around those thirteen corners. “Being on the Highveld plains, some of those corners look the same as you approach them, so it takes a bit of getting used to and the locals will start at an advantage. “Our plan is to turn that around a bit by end of the weekend – can’t wait!”
Giordano similarly saw the Delmas weekend as a challenge. “I’m expecting a steep learning curve at Red Star. “It may be my first time out there in a clockwise direction in a Polo Cup, but what’s life without a challenge? “We have prepared as best we can, my Bullion IT Polo is ready to race, I have a new backer in Tork Craft Tools and I just can’t wait to get out there to really give our Highveld rivals something to think about on their home ground!”
Some Comforting Words from Head Office
Gio and Jurie’s Bullion IT Racing Team boss was however a little more positive. “The lads have a tough test this weekend, but we’re confident that they will come out smiling. “Umpie and Gio may be based far away in the Cape, but Bullion IT is right here on the Highveld, so it’s still a home race for us. “Go give ‘em hell guys!”
And a tough weekend it certainly proved, but both Giordano and Jurie Swart both emerged happy and frustrated. It was a bruising encounter, but Lupini remained unbeaten among the first year Cup competitors as he enjoyed his best race day of his rookie season, well in front of his young rivals in fourth overall. His championship leading teammate Swart endured a tough day at the office to end up fifth.
“Delmas was the weekend we feared most so to come away with our best race results of the year is a great result,” Giordano Lupini. “We are slowly coming to terms with the challenges of qualifying on four brand new tyres, so being another row up the grid put me into a better position for the races.