The National Extreme Festival is locked and loaded for its annual midwinter midseason sojourn to the scenic Gqeberha’s Aldo Scribante racetrack on Saturday 29 June. If the scintillating racing action through the first half of the season has been anything to go by, then Nelson Mandela Bay race fans can really look to more of the same this weekend.
With everything from the explosive antics of the South African Touring Cars backed by SupaCup, the sheer speed of the Extreme Supercars, the thrills of Polo Cup, and the agility of Formula 1600 single seaters, add the ZX10 Masters motorcycles and Toyota Gazoo Cup and there’s something for everybody at Aldo this weekend.
If anyone wants to catch Robert Wolk’s BMW in the South African Touring Cars chase this year, then they’d better get on with it. Wolk has an iron grip on the championship over teammate Julian van der Watt’s VW, so the four Toyotas have it all to do. Michael van Rooyen has been the most successful of them so far, but don’t discount Saood Variawa, Nathi Msimanga or privateer Anthony Pretorius. Nor rookie Andy Schofield’s BMW for that matter, considering he’s fresh off his first podium last time out.
Home team Volkswagen Motorsport arrives in complete control of affairs in the SATC SupaCup. Jonathan Mogotsi and rookie teammate Charl Visser lead the way to give local fans something to cheer for. But don’t forget that closest rival Keegan Campos scored a double victory at Aldo last year, or that champion Bradley Liebenberg has his heart fully set on beating all the Volkswagen SupaPolos in his lone Toyota SupaStarlet. Also keep an eye on Tate Bishop, Jason Campos, David Franco, Karah Hill, Dean Venter, and others among this lot. Especially Kyalami winner Calvin Dias, if he makes the trip.
Stuart White has made the Extreme Supercars driven by Dunlop his own aboard his Lamborghini so far this season. Expect the likes of Jono du Toit and Xolile Letlaka’s similar cars to be out to stop him, and Dino and Silvio Scribante brothers to launch a local attack in another pair of Lambos this weekend. It’s not only Lamborghinis though. Charl Arangies’ Mercedes-AMG GT3, Gianni Giannoccaro’s Nismo GT-R, and Arnold Neveling and Marius Jackson’s Audi R8s are among the other brands out to win at Aldo. And will Franco Scribante be back with his mighty Porsche turbo? Be there to find out!
It’s been all about KZN lad Jason Loosemore and Cape kid Nathan Victor in the Astron Energy Polo Cup so far this season. But expect the likes of Jozi kids Mo Karodia, Ethan Coetzee, and lady racer Tyler Robinson, and PE home hero Jeandre Marais to be among the young guns out to break their stranglehold. There are also two more seasoned racers out to win among the Polos as Charl Smalberger and Rory Atkinson stake their claims. And a whole grid of Polo Masters including top three, Wayne Masters, John Kruger and Derick Smalberger. Light blue touch paper and step back five paces for this one!
Rookie Jagger Robertson has dominated the last four races of the wings and slicks Investchem Formula 1600 single seater championship. Which is making the likes of KC Ensor Smith and Karabo Malemela all the more anxious to win their first races. And Jason Coetzee, Alex Vos, Siyabonga Mankonkwana and Nicholas van Weely wanting their next wins with a sore heart. The Formula Ford Kents will share the track with the 1600s. Ian Schofield returns to the field to take on the likes of Steve Morris and Duncan Vos this weekend.
Moving on to two wheels, Clinton Seller remains unbeaten in SunBet ZX10 Masters with Hein McMahon, Trevor Westman, Jason Lamb, Graeme van Breda, David Veringa and the rest desperate to stop him. Judd Bertholdt and Dhivyen Naidoo have shared the Volkswagen Rookie Cup wins so far, with Jayden Goosen, Uzair Khan and local lad Josh Moore out to topple them. And Dawie van der Merwe remains unbeaten in the 2024 Toyota Gazoo Cup with Setshaba Mashigo and Ryan Naicker in chase. Sean Nurse is looking for more Corolla GR Media success and Devon Scott keen to maintain his GR Yaris advantage.
So, the National Extreme Festival races really are something special for Gqeberha race fans to look forward to. Diarise it now, prepare the braai, the camping chairs, the tent and the cooler box. And head for Aldo Scribante first thing Saturday morning 29 June. It will be worth the effort, promise!
