The final rounds of this year’s National Extreme Festival Presented by Coca-Cola will be hosted by the Zwartkops Raceway near Pretoria on Saturday, with a number of South African championships still to be settled.
Heading up proceedings will be two races for South African Touring Cars, with tin-top veteran Michael van Rooyen (Gazoo Toyota Corolla) the favourite to wear the crown. He holds a comfortable points lead over 2025 debutant Jagger Robertson (76 Legacy Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI).
People who could spoil their day will include Keegan Campos (Campos Transport BMW 128ti) and Julian van der Watt (Chemical Logistics Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI). Others to watch will be Nathi Msimanga (Gazoo Toyota Corolla) and Sa’aad Variawa (Gazoo Toyota Corolla).
Tate Bishop (ANGRi Volkswagen Polo SupaCup) and Jonathan Mogotsi (Genuine Parts Volkswagen Polo SupaCup) have already tied up the top two spots in the SATC SupaCup category, but the battle for third place should see a fight between Jason Loosemore (Astron Energy Volkswagen Polo SupaCup) and Dawie van der Merwe (Gazoo Toyota Starlet).
The series, now concluding its sixth season, will have a star-studded line-up of drivers, including all former champions.
Joining this year’s champion, Bishop, and 2024 winner Jonathan Mogotsi will be Brad Liebenberg (Volkswagen Polo SupaCup), who took the title in 2020, 2021, and 2023, plus 2022 champion Leyton Fourie (Volkswagen Polo SupaCup).
The Astron Energy Polo Cup is set to crown a first-time champion in Round 7 this weekend, with four drivers mathematically still in the hunt. They are Rory Atikinson (Industry Petroleum Polo), Mohammed Karodia (Fast 5 Motorsport Polo), Judd Bertholdt (Volkswagen Rookie Cup Polo) and Ethan Coetzee (Ethan Coetzee Motorsport Polo).
Able to mix with them will be lady racer Tyler Robinson (AF Fans Polo), Hannes Scheepers (Dainfern Dental Polo), Bevin Masters (CPS Warehouse Polo), Jayden Goosen (AA Pre-Owned Polo), Mike Barbaglia (VW Polo) and Nirav Singh (Kyalami Exhausts Polo).
In the Masters Class, Wayne Masters (Performance Masters Polo) will look to take a consecutive title, challenged by Derick Smalberger (Sabertek Polo) and John Kruger (Habot Lubricants Polo).
Jonathan du Toit (Trans Africa Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO) will be the Dunlop Extreme Supercars favourite, with his closest contenders Ricky Giannoccaro (G&H Transport Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO), Charl Arangies (Stradale Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO), Gianni Giannoccaro (BISC Transport Audi R8 LMS GT3), Jimmy Giannoccaro (Nismo GTR GT3), Kris Budnik (Bucketlist Composites Dodge Viper) and Paul Hill (Promigen Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO 2).
The inaugural Investchem MSA4 single seater championship will conclude with a three-race fifth round at Zwartkops.
KC Ensor-Smith (African Heating MSA4) and Mikel Bezuidenhout (Corsa Dei Gemelli MSA4) will both look to finish the weekend with their maiden main circuit title.
Mathematically, Renzo Ribeiro (Metal Used Spares MSA4) is also in the running, with other podium chasers on the day to include Nicholas van Weely (Magnificent Paints MSA4), Karabo Malemela (KMFT Morita MSA4), Simpiwe Mohlalo (Investchem MSA4) and Jordan Moodley (76 Legacy MSA4).
Clinton Seller (King Price Extreme ZX10) will go to Zwartkops as the already crowned SunBet ZX10 Masters champion, having won every race he contested this season. He will win on Saturday, chased by riders like Greame van Breda (Stefanutti Stocks ZX10), Hein McMahon (K9 Law Enforcement ZX10),
Damion Purificati (Amalgum Welding Shop ZX10), Reginald Seale (HX Consulting Services ZX10), Jayson Lamb (Buffalo Service Centre ZX10), Johan Le Roux (Avidan ZX10) and Joao Cruz (Extreme Bike ZX10).
Heading into Round 7 of the Toyota GR Cup Driven by Netstar, all three titles have been wrapped up. Nine of the 11 wins in the GR 86 Class have gone to Jason Coetzee, who will be eager to end his season on a high. However, Kent Swarts, who won the other two races, and Mbuso Ngwenya will both be keen to take the maximum points available in their battle for the runner-up spot.
Mario de Sousa has wrapped up the GR Corolla Class. Chasing him on Saturday should be people like Werner Venter, Kevin Crowie, Johan Boonzaaier and Paul de Vos. Nabil Abdool has tied up the GR Yaris Class and he should win, chased by Kyle Kock, Phuti Mpyane and The Citizen’s Charl Bosch.
There’s one point in it heading into Round six of the Volkswagen Rookie Cup. Christopher Tate (Sportex) leads Josh Moore (BPW/ Puma), heading Mauro Da Luz (Retail).
Tickets can be purchased from the Zwartkops Raceway entrance gate, at R140 per adult, R100 per student, and with children under 12 entering for free.
The gates will be open from 7am, with all classes to qualify from 7.30am. Racing proper will commence at 9.45am. Everybody is invited to visit the pits on foot at any time, with the circuit’s Mini Moke Train to run between the pit gate and spectator points throughout the day. Food and drink will be on sale, or you may take your own.
All the action will be broadcast live on the Extreme Festival website from 9:45am.
Go to the Extreme Festival Links page for easy access to all relevant information, such as ticket sales, the full event timetable, digital programme, and more.
You could also call the Zwartkops Raceway office at 012 384 2299.
Andre’ de Kock
