Summarize

The Burly Pro GTi Challenge heads to Killarney for its seventh round races Saturday 7 September with a thrilling overall title race sitting on a knife’s edge between the various class leaders following a dramatic last meeting. Class B leader Eden Thompson inherited a narrow overall advantage after Class C leader Giordano Lupini crashed heavily following a component failure last time out, while Class A frontrunner Nian du Toit is right in there too, with the three of them split by just four championship points.

It's an intriguing situation — Lupini’s team is working flat out to have his CIR/La Vie de Luc/Accelerate 102 Golf 1 ready in time to resume battle with his own class rivals on track, while indirectly fighting Thompson and du Toit for overall honours. Thompson and his MAD Jetta 2 and du Toit and his Allied Fibreglass Jetta 3 will also chase best possible results against their respective class rivals on Saturday in their efforts to better their overall lots…

Du Toit may have one hand on that Class A title, but he must still deal with Colin Nicholas Meder (International Tube Tech Polo 6R), Jano van der Westhuizen (Wingfield Motors Polo 3) and Umpie Swart (Alpine Autohaus Polo 6R), who are split by just two championship points, in his overall title battle. Christopher Swart (Village Paint & Hardware Jetta 2) is close enough to steal that second and don’t rule out Chris Roberts (BMT Polo 6R), Mark Fontini (Medine Polo Classic) and reigning champion Marco Busi stepping up to Class A in his Automan Polo 6R in the top class spat.

Thompson may be looking to wrap up his Class B title soon, but he too has trouble on his hands with Zaki Hendricks (Wheelworx Polo Classic), Emile Assure (Burly Pro Polo 6R), Gideon Serfontein (Goede Hoop Onderdele Golf 2 GTi), the returning Ashley van Niekerk (Ashrome Polo 3) and Mario Roux (Jetta 2) to deal with on track as he fights for that overall lead. Eden’s dad Marc Thompson (MAD Polo Classic) has delivered consistent results and Wayne Field (Coetzee Coachworks Jetta 2) and George Scutte (Golf 1) are also always lurking in that class tussle.

The Class C will have Lupini and his front running Class C Brat Pack rivals to deal with too and while Giordano holds a handy all-Golf 1 GTi class championship lead, he must still face Jarred Simpson (Greenz Plumbing/Cape Refractory CD), Alfie van Zyl (GT Graphics) and Jason Coetzee (Coetzee’s Coachworks) to best fight that overall battle.

Rookie Kyle Wiltshire delivered a star on-track performance last time out and brother Calvin enjoyed a stunning debut, while occasional racer Brett Roach has proven the biggest thorn in Lupini's side. Dillon Joubert recently made a positive return to the class. Add Patrick Walton, Daniel Munna (Ivor Smith Electric), Paul Winter and Ian Kapp (Hydracor) and rookies Carel van der Merwe and Chase Heroldt and the Brat Pack will deliver…

So, while the top three in the title chase can do nothing about how their rivals can fare, their objectives will be to deliver best possible results in their respective classes. Yes, it's complicated but it certainly is most exciting too!

The Burly Pro GTi Challenge races as part of a full program of racing in an awesome day’s entertainment at Killarney — what better way to celebrate spring?