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Hurley claims the 2014 Comsol VW Challenge class A title

Yet another full-house haul of points for James Hurley (The Starter Pack Company Polo) saw him claim the 2014 Comsol VW Challenge class A title and extend his lead in the overall championship at Kyalami on Wednesday, 24 September.

James Hurley
James Hurley

Hurley signalled his intentions in no uncertain terms in the morning’s qualifying session, setting a time nearly nine tenths of a second faster than Rory Atkinson (Comsol Polo) around the 4.2km Midrand circuit. Waldie Meintjies (Performance Masters / Marty’s Body & Spray Polo) was next quickest ahead of Iain Stevenson in his Comsol Polo. Peet Visagie (VW Polo) and Gavin Ross (Norbrake Polo) rounded out the top six as they did last time out at Kyalami.

In class B the first four positions on the grid were exactly the same as they were a month ago when the series visited the circuit. Lyle Ramsay claimed pole in his unsponsored Polo ahead of Gerhard Henning (All Toyota Parts Polo) with Darren Nathan (Sex Trader Polo) and Tyrell Govindsamy (Petroplast International Polo) filling the second row.

The Roos family filled the front row of the class C grid in their Nathan’s Motorsport Polos, Zander on pole ahead of father Wouter. Jakes Jacobs in the third Nathan’s Motorsport Polo was next up ahead of Jacques Smith (Triplicon Construction / ELB Construction / UTI Logistics Polo).

Andre Needham lost control of his Polo through turn two, slammed into the barrier and came to a standstill in the middle of the track close to the end of race 1. Race officials brought out the red flags in the interest of safety and the result was declared after six laps of racing.

Before Needham’s mishap, when the lights went out to signal the start of the first race Atkinson did all he could to get the jump on Hurley but, by the time the pair reached turn two, Hurley had moved into a lead he was never to relinquish. Meintjies was in close attendance for the first couple of laps but the engine on his Polo cried enough leaving him a spectator for the rest of the day. Behind the leading duo Stevenson and Derek Smalberger (Sabertek / Tyremart VW Beetle) were fighting for the final podium position. Stevenson emerged the victor in that battle by less than three tenths of a second. Ross claimed fifth ahead of Visagie.

In class B the win went to Ramsay who finished comfortably in front of Henning. Govindsamy was just behind Henning with Andy Gossman (Chamdor Veridot & Police Clearance Golf) in fourth. Renier Claassen (Tissen Interiors Golf) took the flag in fifth while Needham, despite his accident, was classified sixth. Nathan, Ramsay’s main rival for the class B championship, did not finish after his Polo lost its fanbelt.

Francois van Zyl must be thinking that Kyalami has something against him. A month ago he ended up with his car hanging from the fence at turn three. Today the engine in his Golf let go after four laps of race 1. The class C win went to Henry van Vledder with Jacobs and Zander Roos completing the podium. Smith, Wouter Roos and Gina Munro (VW Golf) completed the top six.

Class A in race 2 again went the way of Hurley with Atkinson in second. Smalberger got the better of Stevenson this time round to claim third with Visagie and Ross completing the top six.

Ramsay and Henning fought it out of the head of class B with Ramsay taking his second win of the day. Nathan, who had to start from the back of the grid following his non finish in the first race, worked his way through the field to claim third ahead of Govindsamy. Gossman and Brad Hall (Piazza Motorsport Polo) were fifth and sixth.

Henry van Vledder took his second win of the season in class C. Little more than a second separated the next three drivers, Jacobs crossing the line in second ahead of Wouter Roos and Smith.

Hurley took the overall win in class A with Ramsay the victor in class B. Henry van Vledder had his best day since moving back to class C and took the overall win there.

Hurley extended his lead over Ramsay in the overall championship to 30 points. Nathan’s third place is now under serious threat with Atkinson just one point behind him. Smith has moved up to fifth place ahead of Meintjies.

The VW Challenge heads to Midvaal for the eighth round of the 2014 championship on 25 October 2014.

Overall Points

 

POS

CLASS

DRIVER

POINTS

1

A

James Hurley

152

2

B

Lyle Ramsay

122

3

B

Darren Nathan

97

4

A

Rory Atkinson

96

5

C

Jacques Smith

80

6

A

Waldie Meintjes

73

7

C

Henry van Vledder

77

8

B

Gerhard Henning

73

9

C

Francois van Zyl

71

10

C

Elke van Vledder

67