Volkswagen Motorsport heads to Mpumalanga where Rory Atkinson and Christopher Tait hope to lean on their prior knowledge of the Red Star Raceway to gain an advantage at the second round of the National Extreme Festival on Saturday 18 April. Neither the Astron Energy Polo Cup nor the SATC SupaCup have raced at Red Star for three seasons, but both Volkswagen Motorsport drivers know the circuit very well through previous regional racing exploits.
“Astron Energy Polo Cup champion Rory Atkinson has extensive experience of Red Star as a multiple champion in the regional VW Challenge, and that should come in handy in SATC SupaCup at the Delmas racetrack this weekend,” Volkswagen Head of Motorsport Mike Rowe explains. “Likewise, our Volkswagen Rookie Cup champion Christopher Tait is also a former VW Challenge Class C champion who has often raced at Red Star, so he’s hoping to use that to his advantage in the 30th Anniversary Astron Energy Polo Cup on Saturday.”
Reigning Astron Energy Polo Cup champion Atkinson started his SupaCup career in style as he put his Volkswagen Motorsport SupaPolo on pole position for his debut before finishing second to Polo Cup champion predecessor Jason Loosemore in the Cape last time out. “We had a good first outing at Killarney, but I’m looking forward to Red Star where I can rely on a lot more experience of racing there,” Rory explains. “ That could be an advantage this weekend, and I’ve also been practicing my starts, so let’s hope that delivers a step up the podium. Let’s do this team!”
2025 Volkswagen Rookie Cup champion Christopher Tait endured a more challenging debut in Astron Energy’s 30th anniversary Polo Cup. “Killarney was a huge learning curve, but Red Star should be easier considering my experience there,” Christopher admits. “Astron Energy Polo Cup has proven a big step up from the Volkswagen Rookie Cup, but I learned so much at Killarney and I have a brilliant team behind me, a great car and now we’re on familiar territory too, so bring it on!”
“With both drivers on more familiar territory this weekend, Volkswagen Motorsport is looking forward to getting back to racing at Red Star,” Mike Rowe concludes. “Best of luck to the team, here’s to a great weekend of racing in Mpumalanga.”
*Volkswagen Motorsport salutes its racing partners, Astron Energy, VW Genuine Parts, and Dunlop Tyres.
Issued on behalf of Volkswagen Motorsport
Photography by: Abri de Bruin
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