Championship Team Hell Bent on the GTC Double in 2022
SSouth African Global Touring Car Champions, Chemical Logistics Racing is limbering up for what promises to be an even harder-fought 2022 championship. With new faces and an extra car in the line-up, there’s an even greater hunger to win as the new season commences at Killarney Saturday 5 March.
“We had a brilliant 2021 season,” team principal Ian Schofield confirmed. “Our lead driver Robert Wolk drove our Chemical Logistics Toyota Corolla GTC to an historic privateer title against the factory team in an epic chase that went right down to the wire. “He was backed all the way by Scott Temple, who raced to third in our second Corolla, and by Julian van der Watt who came home a championship fifth in his rookie season in our Ford Focus GTC.
“It is however going to be a very different prospect this year. “We don’t have one, but two factory teams to beat in 2022. “Volkswagen Motorsport makes a most welcome return with a couple of Golf GTCs for Jonathan Mogotsi and Daniel Rowe, as well as a third privateer Golf expected to join imminently for GTC SupaCup champion Bradley Liebenberg.
“Add our old rivals at Gazoo Racing headed by Michael van Rooyen in a brand new Toyota Corolla GTC, alongside another SupaCup graduate, Sa’ood Variyawa in a similar car. “So we certainly will have our hands full this year!”
“To that end, we’ve rung a few changes in our WCT Engineering-run Chemical Logistics team,” Schofield announced. “Our champion, Robert continues in his blue number 1 Chemical Logistics Corolla GTC. “He has a firm focus on a back to back title.
“We have drafted former Toyota works driver, Mandla Mdkane into our second Corolla GTC, which will now race in Toyota Gazoo Racing colours under our auspices. “Mandla impressed us on several occasions, especially in the reverse grid races last season and he was a natural choice. “Never mind, 2022 promises a brilliant race within a race between Mandla, Jonathan and Sa’ood. “Let’s see how long it is before one of them is crowned SA’s first National Champion of colour.”
“I am really looking forward to the new GTC season,” champion Robert Wolk admitted. “It’s going to be even tougher with four factory cars to contend with and nine or ten cars on the grid for 2022, but we welcome it all and then some! “We have a proven, winning formula that we will stick to, and we are looking forward to an epic season on track. “I for one simply cannot wait to get the season started with the best team in the paddock!”
“For a few horrible days I thought I was out of a GTC drive this year,” Mandla Mdakane revealed. “But then the phone rang and I was asked if I’d be interested in racing the second Chemical Logistics Corolla! “My answer was instant – of course yes! “Now I’m looking forward to a great season ahead, to working with my teammates on and off the track and to putting my GTC experience to best use to the benefit of a great team. “Thanks so much to Ian, Stuart and the whole team. “I am ready to deliver!”
2021 GTC race winner, Julian van der Watt is also back for more in his Ford Focus, which has undergone a complete overhaul over the off season. “My WCT Ford Focus is now a genuine hatchback RS, rather than the old sedan,” Julian pointed out. “So not only is the car more relevant and in my mind better looking, but we trust that the change will make us that tiny touch more competitive to make me a regular frontrunner, starting at my home race at Killarney this weekend.”
Another young Capetonian, reigning F1600 champion Andrew Rackstraw makes his GTC debut aboard a former champion Audi in RDSA Investchem colours at Killarney. “I have been working hard to prepare for my GTC debut, but I’m still expecting a baptism of fire!” Andrew pointed out. “GTC is the epitome of South African circuit racing and I am proud to have earned my way in. “We are not expecting to fight up front from the outset, but I’m excited about the prospect of reverse grid races in GTC. “Those should be fun races and they offer some great opportunities that I hope to take advantage of!”
“We are in for an even tougher Global Touring Car championship battle in a bigger and better field for 2022,” WCT Engineering team manager Stuart Thompson concluded. “Our champion Rob is back to defend his title in his Chemical Logistics Corolla, and we have an exciting newcomer to the team in Mandla in the second Toyota. “We have re-imagined Julian’s Focus, to make it even more competitive and we welcome Andrew to the team. “Initially he will drive an old Audi, until we have his new Corolla ready to race through the season.
“2022 promises to be the best GTC season in years. “Bring it on, Chemical Logistics Racing with WCT Engineering is ready to race!”
Issued by Motorsport Media on behalf of Chemical Logistics GTC Racing
Image 1-2: GTC Content Pool, Image 3: Jeff Latham, Image 4: Paul Bedford
