Robert Wolk and Chemical Logistics Racing sit on the verge of a back-to-back Global Touring Car Championship following another productive weekend at Killarney’s penultimate Extreme Festival races. Wolk took pole position before storming to victory in the first race, and then took second in the reverse grid second heat. It was also a positive weekend for teammate and local lad Andrew Rackstraw, but it was one to forget for Julian van der Watt.
“That was another strong performance from the team,” Robert reported. “My Chemical Logistics Toyota Corolla GTC was dialled in for qualifying with a significant margin and we had strong pace to control the feature race and then convert my pole position into another win.
“I was also happy with my progress in race 2. “Starting sixth, I avoided any reverse grid incidents and managed to clear my way through the pack to get up to second. “I then caught the leader, but simply ran out of laps to challenge for the win.
“We have a healthy lead going into the final round, and I’m looking forward to another strong showing at Zwartkops to close out the season and championship.”
Andrew Rackstraw was happy with his best showing of the season following a torrid run of late in his older specification Investchem RDSA Audi S3 GTC. “We made a massive leap forward this weekend and being able to mix it with the top guys in the old girl was most satisfactory!” Andrew admitted.
I‘m so proud of what we have achieved as a team this weekend, finishing fourth and only just missing out on a podium third. “That came down to a titanic battle with Mandla Mdkane in race 2, but he was in the right place at the right time! “Now for Zwartkops and another step forward to close off the season – thanks team!”
Although he had good pace through the weekend and delivered fourth in the opening race, Julian van der Watt’s weekend ended early when his Chemical Logistics Ford Focus RS GTC picked up a couple of issues in the second heat. “Practice was promising with top three pace, I qualified fourth and ended fourth in race 1,” Julian pointed out.
“I was having a good spat for second in race 2 when I picked up a chassis issue and stopped. “It was just as well because we also found a hole in the radiator, so we probably saved the engine, but it was tough to stop! “Now we need to find some straight line speed to fight these Toyotas, so here’s to sorting that soon and to a good season ender at Zwartkops.”
“We had a very good day at Killarney, and we now go home with a decent advantage to wrap up back-to-back GTC titles for Robbie and the team,” Chemical Logistics Racing’s WCT Engineering team manager Stuart Thompson added.
Team boss Ian Schofield concluded, “It’s been a vintage year of racing for Chemical Logistics Racing and Killarney was another good race. “Now to wrap it up at Zwartkops on 15 October – we have the champagne ready! “Well done team!”
Issued by Motorsport Media on behalf of Chemical Logistics GTC Racing
Images by Motorsport Fanatix
