Brad Liebenberg dominated Round 4 of the Global Touring Cars (GTC) Championship at Red Star Raceway this weekend while only in his third outing behind the wheel of his Hype Energy / Sparco / Universal Motorsport Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI.
The reigning GTC SupaCup champion, who moved to the GTC Championship for 2022, had a difficult start to his season. While he was able to compete in the season opener with a loan Audi S3, he endured a host of teething problems while debuting his Golf 8 at Zwartkops Raceway. At Round 3, however, he showed an indication of the pace that was to come, something he exploited to the fullest at Red Star Raceway this weekend.
In Saturday morning’s qualifying session, Liebenberg took his maiden GTC Dunlop Pole Position, pipping reigning champion, championship leader and the driver who set the pace throughout Friday, Robert Wolk, to pole.
Liebenberg got off to the perfect start where he went unchallenged in a lights-to-flag victory. The win would, however, see the multiple South African motorsport champion having to work his way through the reverse grid field in Race 2. He made little work of clearing Julian van der Watt and Mandla Mdakane on the opening lap before passing Saood Variawa on the next. Running behind the leading trio of Andrew Rackstraw, Wolk and Michael van Rooyen, Liebenberg kept a cool head and passed the three ahead after they tangled to take the lead of the race. He would maintain his lead throughout the remainder of the race to take a brace of wins on the day.
Liebenberg not only set the fastest lap in both races, but is also the new lap record holder for a GTC car. This also marked the first win for a Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI since 2020.
“We are ecstatic after a dream weekend,” said Liebenberg. “With all the hard work that went into the new car and after some early misfortunes, we are happy to have taken our first win. I would like to dedicate this win to Volkswagen Motorsport following the tragic events recently. We are back and I can’t wait to see what the Hype Energy Golf can do around East London.”
Liebenberg extends his thanks to Hype Energy Drinks South Africa, Sparco, Universal Motorsport and the event organisers.
Round 5 of the GTC Championship will see Liebenberg taking on the East London Grand Prix Circuit on August 5-6.
Issued by Motorsport Fanatix on behalf of Brad Liebenberg
