information supplied by: Volkswagen Motorsport - Engen Volkswagen Cup 30 July 2011
Engen Volkswagen Cup racing action resumes after a two month break with round five of the championship at Aldo Scribante Raceway on Saturday, 6 August. This is the second race meeting for the series at the circuit this season.

While the championship challenge will be in sharp focus at this event, the celebrity guest driver for the second PE round will no doubt get his share of attention.

Known to many motorsport fans as the host of Absolute F1 on television and for the website www.f1sasha.com, Sasha Martinengo writes for Car and has recently also begun writing for the Mercury, Cape Times and Star.

“Theoretically, I’m brilliant. Practically, I’m not so good,” quipped Martinengo when asked about his motorsport skills. “There are two races on the day, I just hope that I’m not still on track for the first race by the time they start the second!”

Martinengo, who won his class as a guest at the Legends of the Nine Hour at Zwartkops Raceway in 2006, has indicated his aim for the day is to return the Engen Volkswagen Cup race car unscathed after the two races.

This seems to indicate that he will find the PE round of the championship – and his guest drive in the series – a trial by fire. Engen Volkswagen Cup races are not known for being gentle affairs and door handles and mirrors are often early victims in the fray.

Despite the intense competition on track, there is always an atmosphere of camaraderie in the pits where teams can often be found helping each other to ensure a full starting grid.

For Devin Robertson (2 – Sparco / Big Boss Auto), current leader of this single-make series of Volkswagen Polo Vivo race cars, Scribante is another chance to stamp his authority on the season. Robertson has a 37 point lead over the field and will be looking to increase that gap at this event.

With the long break there has undoubtedly been a lot of prep-work taking place in workshops around the country and this could translate into a few surprises on race day. Even if Robertson does not compete at the PE event, he will still lead the field after the race meeting – but that does not mean his lead will go unchallenged.

Kosie Weyers (3 – Engen Xtreme) is currently second in the field and is known for a spectacular driving style. Put that driving style together with a good result on the day and he could set himself up for a real challenge for later rounds in the championship.

Kelvin van der Linde (31 - Ferodo) is in third place and just 11 points off Weyers. Weyers and Van der Linde will have to be careful with their strategy in PE as a fight between them can work to Robertson’s advantage on the day.

The technical and tight nature of the Aldo Scribante circuit will be lying in wait for the Engen Volkswagen Cup field and the result is sure to be dynamite racing action on the day.

Ends Sasha Martinengo ready for Engen Volkswagen Cup challenge in PE.doc (28kB)

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