What Global Touring Cars Round 4 Preview
Where Aldo Scribante, Gqeberha EP
When Saturday 17 June 2023
Community South Africa National
New machinery buoys Chemical Logistics Racing
Chemical Logistics Racing’s Global Touring Car team heads to Aldo Scribante’s midseason fourth round races with a spring in its step. Not only are its regular three drivers ready to fight for gold, but Julian van der Watt returns to the fray in a brand new car for the first time at the Nelson Mandela Bay National Extreme Festival on Saturday 17 June.
Van der Watt has recovered from his Kyalami injuries and will be back behind the wheel of the first of two long awaited Chemical Logistics WCT BMW 328is GTCs for his comeback at the Gqeberha races. The BMW replaces his Ford Focus destroyed in a Kyalami crash, and is the first of two 128is GTCs set to join the Global Touring Cars grid in the coming races
Julian returns alongside double reigning GTC champion Robert Wolk and his Chemical Logistics Corolla GTC. Wolk sits second in the 2023 GTC title chase, having closed the gap on his main rival despite a tough outing at Zwartkops in the previous round. Robert also intends to end his winless streak so far in 2023, this weekend.
Andrew Rackstraw is another driver looking for a step up after a disastrous weekend in his LTR Sparco VW Golf GTR at Zwartkops last time out. Missing both races there however sees Andrew going to Aldo Scribante having won the his last race he started at Killarney in the previous meeting. He fully intends to keep up that record intact.
Master Stairs Investchem Audi S3 GTC lad Josh Le Roux is the fourth member of the Chemical Logistics team. Like all his teammates, he’s a former Investchem Formula 1600 champion, being the current title holder. Josh has already won in GTC, but he’s still focussed on learning as much as he can as his rookie season progresses.
“Aldo Scribante promises to be a most exciting weekend,” WCT Engineering team boss Stuart Thompson admits. “Julian makes a hugely welcome return as he takes our brand new BMW into combat for the first time. Rob is ready to turn his title fight around, Andrew has unfinished business after Zwartkops, and Josh just keeps on improving. Go get it guys!”
“It’s an exciting time and Aldo Scribante is the beginning of a bold new era for both Chemical Logistics Racing and Global Touring Cars,” team boss Ian Schofield concludes: “Go give them hell guys, it’s onward and upward from here!”
Issued on behalf of Chemical Logistics GTC
Photography by: Abri de Bruyn
MSA Publishes media releases from a host of different sources on our website as a service to the sport. It is not practically possible to vet/approve every release that is published. Some news items and articles are written by correspondents and do not necessarily represent MSA’s views.