Johannesburg, 05 April 2024 – Astron Energy Polo Cup heads to the biggest race meeting of the year at Kyalami Gran Prix Circuit Extreme Festival for a second round from 11-13 April 2024. With thirteen National and Regional Extreme Festival classes coming together, Astron Energy Polo Cup is determined to deliver the best show of the lot at the home of South African motorsport.
Nathan Victor and Jason Loosemore converge at Kyalami Racetrack having shared honours at the opening round in Killarney, Cape Town. The duo now find themselves on neutral territory, amidst a palpable tension amongst locals yearning for a new champion. Kyalami, a neutral ground, presents an ideal stage for Victor and Loosemore to compete for the Astron Energy Polo Cup victory.
Expect just as much action behind the youngsters in the Masters class. John Kruger came from behind to steal a Masters Class double from Wayne Masters, in Killarney. They too will have the knives out for them, with a number of their rivals keen to topple the favourites in the Astron Energy Polo Cup class for older drivers on that hallowed Kyalami ground.
Turning our attention back to leading contenders, Victor and Loosemore, there is every possibility that they could face tough competition in Johannesburg. One notable contender amongst them is Charl Smalberger, a dark horse in the competition with extensive experience at Kyalami over his peers, marking his return to the Astron Energy Polo Cup after a decade.
Others to look out for are Mohammed Karodia, who delivered a steady third in the Cape, and Volkswagen Motorsport Rookie Cup winner Kyle Visser who put on a fine display at the last Astron Energy Polo Cup debut race. AF Fans Team Red lass Tyler Robinson is another local who wants to banish Killarney memories with a luckier run at Kyalami. Jeandre Marais is out to impress in his Syrabix Team Red car, as is Ethan Coetzee in his JRT Racing Experience Polo. Add Team Red driver Roshaan Goodman and rookie trio Dainfern Dental Dr. Hannes Scheepers, Bjorn Bertholdt’s Sizanani Plastics entry, and Nirav Singh.
Starting in their own race behind the younger competitors, experienced drivers like Kruger from Habot Oils and Ferro Energia team will face off against tough opponents in the Masters’ class. Among them are Derick Smalberger driving for Sabertek and Elna Croeser representing ATE Brakes. These racers will once again compete fiercely with contenders like Mike Barbaglia in the PABAR car, Luigi Ferro with his second Ferro Energia entry and Johan Gouws racing for Keller Williams Realty Polo.
“The Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit Extreme Festival will be one of South Africa’s biggest race meetings for many,” Mike Rowe, Head of Volkswagen Driving Experience concluded. “But race fans can rest assured of yet another great show from Astron Energy Polo Cup to top the bill. See you at Kyalami!”
Demo Zero
The Rugby World Cup 1995 was held in South Africa: South Africans take a lot of pride in their rugby team, popularly called ‘The Springsbook.’ As the FIFA World Cup, South Africa was the first African country to host the Rugby World Cup tournament in 1995. The event became more successful as South Africa won the finale against New Zealand. The team was incredible enough to win the IRB Rugby World Cup two more times in 2007 and again in 2019.
Clang Glyph
Sport Trivia: She was the first South African to win gold at the Olympics after 44 years. She won the gold medal in the 100m and 200m breaststroke in Atlanta in 1996. Answer: Penny Heyns. Penny Heynes held 14 records for breaststroke. During the 1999 Pan Pacific games, she broke 6 world records, (many of them her own previous records), and by the end of 1999 she held the record for the 50m, 100m and 200m long course breaststroke, simultaneously.