Engen VW Polo Cup Race – Outside championship chance for Shaun

The 2016 Engen Volkswagen Polo Cup championship is set to deliver an epic finale at Zwartkops Saturday 26 November, with a few young guns looking likely to fight it out for the title. But there’s a dark horse Masters driver in the mix, whose luck has to change following some really cruel fortune at Kyalami last time out.

Pepper Racing team leader Shaun La Réserveé’s championship hopes were dealt a massive blow when his Alpine Motors Polo’s engine blew while fighting for the lead with two laps left to run in Kyalami’s second race, leaving the Durban driver’s brilliant championship charge all but in tatters. Shaun will now focus more on sealing a deserved 2016 Polo Cup Masters title at Zwartkops, while young teammate Daniel Duminy is looking for another strong outing at the Pretoria racetrack.

“I’m really looking forward to the last round of the season,” La Réserveé admitted. “I want to close it off in style, but we will have to wait and see what’s in store for us – the last time we visited Zwartkops I had great pace, so I’m hoping to continue that.

“My focus is set on wrapping up the Masters championship this weekend, but there is an outside chance that I can still win the overall title. “As they say, it’s not over until the fat lady sings and until there is no chance, we will keep chasing the big prize, no matter how narrow the odds – stranger things have happened.”

La Réserveé’s 16-year old rookie SMD Pepper Racing Polo teammate Daniel Duminy emerged from Kyalami with a spring in his step following a combative weekend, which brought the Ballito lad his best results of the season. “I am so excited for this last race,” Daniel admitted. “We’re coming off our best weekend of the year at Kyalami and I have been training hard, so here’s to that top five finish we’ve been chasing all year – let’s go get it!”

“Shaun was really unlucky at Kyalami, but he’s still in with a mathematical chance and it’s not over till its over,” team boss Iain Pepper promised. “Daniel had an impressive run last time out and he’s due a really good result – good luck guys – bring it home.”