Engen Xtreme Polo's suffer at Kyalami

Monday, 24 August 2009

The Engen Xtreme team competing in the Engen VW Polo Cup had what can only be described as a turmultous weekend at the Kyalami Race Circuit with drivers, Miguel Pasqualli and East London winner Kosie Weyers falling victim to the challenging circuit.

In practice on Friday, the Polo's performed well and the set up proved favourable for a successful weekend. In the qualifying round Saturday morning, all eyes were firmly focussed on East London winner Kosie Weyers, not withstanding the other challengers, Matthew Hodges, Gennaro Bonafede and Devin Roberston all breathing down the youngster's neck. Kyalami that hasn't been the kindest track to the Engen Xtreme team (after their last outing in March) again proved to count against the team. This time, Miguel Pasqualli suffered the cold harsh hand, when after pushing his Polo to hard; in turn four rolled his car in to the sand trap. This did not bode well for Pasqualli and the team with his vehicle being rendered a right off.

Race 1 was uneventful as Kosie only managed to place 7th, with the race being competed up front by Gennaro Bonafede and Devin Robertson. Back in the pit area, with some clever manoeuvring and side stepping of the rules, Xtreme Team Principal Terry Moss managed to hire another car and transplant some of the vital parts across, with him starting from last place in Race 2 after not making race 1, he drove a superb race to finish in 4th place after KOSIE who had crossed the line in 4th was given a yellow card for being to robust with a fellow competitor, meaning that he was excluded for race 2 and competing in the next 3 events with a 20 KG of penalty weight in the car, and also being under observation.

Terry commented, "The time posted by Miguel in race two was the second fastest, and had it been his own car, who knows, he could have won from the back, once again. Kosie who has shown good pace in every race this season needs to learn to stay out of trouble, but this will materialize over time and I have no doubt he will be a major force to be reckoned with in the near future."

The Xtreme team will return to Port Elizabeth to mend the race battered cars (and egos) and go to the drawing board with a new plan to ensure that they return to their wining ways as was seen in East London, before the next race day in August.