Summarize

It’s a case of experience versus exuberance as the Global Touring Cars head to the historic East London Grand Prix Circuit for the fifth round National Extreme Festival races on Saturday 6 August. Toyota Corolla GTC drivers, Chemical Logistics’ highly experienced reigning champion Robert Wolk, and rookie sensation teenager Saood Variawa’s Gazoo Racing car arrive at the historic racetrack split by just six championship points. 

Wolk, who has won three of the eight races so far this season, and Variawa, who is yet to take his maiden GTC race win, but whose consistent performances have brought him a couple of overall wins at Zwartkops and in Port Elizabeth, however, have a significant new force looming large in their mirrors. Hype Energy VW Golf 8 GTI GTC youngster Bradley Liebenberg broke his GTC winning duck in fine style with dominant grand slam of pole position, race wins and the fastest lap last time out, as he leapt up to third in the championship chase.

It remains to be seen how long Bradley can remain a title threat, considering that he is a sturdy 36 points behind Wolk in the title pursuit, but as they say, stranger things have happened. Liebenberg however has a significant threat right behind him, with veteran racer, and already a race winner this year, Michael van Rooyen’s second Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Corolla, and previous 2022 double winner Julian van der Watt’s Ford Focus RS GTC both within four points of his Golf on the championship log.

While they have indeed won races, both van Rooyen and van der Watt have had their fair share of drama. But not quite as much as Mandla Mdakane’s third Toyota Gazoo Racing Corolla GTC, and Andrew Rackstraw and his brittle Investchem RDSA Audi S3. Both of them have shown ample promise throughout the season, but lady luck has not been much on their side. They will be hoping that their Global Touring Car stars align at the East London Grand Prix Circuit, where GTC races as part of a full National Extreme Festival race meeting on Saturday 6 August.