Summarize

The 30th Anniversary Astron Energy Polo Cup is getting its fair share of home running as it returns to the Aldo Scribante racetrack in Gqeberha for its rescheduled fifth round of the National Extreme Festival, just around the corner from Volkswagen Plant Kariega on Saturday 15 August. This round replaces the races originally scheduled for East London, but that should not change very much at all on track as Hannes Scheepers leads the Cup chase back to Aldo, and Wayne Masters heads the Polo Masters log.

Scheepers started the season with six wins on the trot. So all he needs to do is keep scoring strong points as he cruises to what’s starting to look like a comfortable championship. Those who know the Dainfern dentist, however, also understand that winning is far more important to him than just chasing points. That said, the only driver to beat Scheepers so far this season, Charl Smalberger has taken two of the last three wins in his Sabertek OMP Polo. Rest assured, he wants more of the same. Especially considering championships are never quite over, until they’re over…

Behind them, the best of the first year drivers, Volkswagen Rookie Cup graduate Mauro Da Luz is also still close enough to pull an amazing comeback title in his Topshirt Nathans Polo. Seasoned drivers, Durbanite Shiren Rajpaul’s Goldwagen version and Roshaan Goodman’s Upward Spiral 1471 machine are in a close fight for fourth. Astron Energy Volkswagen Rookie Cup champion Christopher Tait sits just behind them in sixth on the log and he’s after another good weekend at Scribante following his best result there last time out.

Automobile Association rookie Jayden Goosen, sophomore Milan Emslie’s Triton entry, Nirav Singh’s Kyalami Exhausts car and FSS International driver Pierluigi Muzzulini close off the top ten and all of them are more than capable of competing up front. As are Joshua Moore’s Worx BPW Polo, Cyril Jacobs Jr.’s Auto Perfect Team Red entry, Union Power driver Bjorn Bertholdt, Liam Crystal, luckless lady rookie Berlin Robinson’s AF Fans Polo. And don’t forget late starters, Norbrake lad Dean Ross and newcomer Byron Thomas.

Then there are the Astron Energy Polo Masters headed by the appropriately named Wayne Masters chasing his third title on the trot in his Performance Masters Polo. If that’s a mouthful, rest assured that Wayne will also have his hands full with title rivals Derick Smalberger’s Sabertek OMP car still a little too close for championship comfort and John Kruger’s Habot Performance Lubricants entry also looming large. Also watch out for PABAR Master Mike Barbaglia, FSS entry Elio Muzzulini, newcomers Albert Moffatt and Richard van Heerde.

Racing its thirtieth season in 2026, Astron Energy Polo Cup will once again thrill Volkswagen’s home fans in Gqeberha on Saturday 20 June. See you at Aldo Scribante!