Liebenberg returns with a splash as Karodia extends lead in dramatic Polo Cup showdown

ONE OF the few ways to truly gauge how good you are at something is to compete. But if you really want to measure your skills against others fairly, you need to compete on equal terms — with no advantages or disadvantages for anyone.

That’s likely the thinking behind the Astron Energy Polo Cup: a South African motorsport series where all drivers race in identical Volkswagen Polo cars — and only those cars.

In a nutshell, the Polo Cup is a one-make championship, meaning all drivers compete in identical vehicles, which would naturally emphasise driver skill and provide a level playing field. The series, now in its 28th year, is known for its competitive racing and serves as a proving ground for young South African drivers.

Anyone consistently watching the Polo Cup series will soon be able to tell which drivers are the best because it will be their skill, and not a performance advantage that gives them the edge – what a luxury, and what a basis for these young drivers to brag at a braai!

Speaking about a driver that could brag if he wanted to, former champion Bradly Liebenberg made a triumphant return to the Polo Cup when he won the only race off pole position, at a dramatic Extreme Festival on Saturday at the Zwartkops Raceway in Pretoria. 

It was also a good day for championship leader Mo Karodia, who consolidated his advantage with second from VW Rookie Judd Bertholdt. He bounced back to third on a day he will not soon forget. Astron Energy Polo Masters champion Wayne Masters, meanwhile, laid a hand on a back-to-back title with another over-50s win.

Chaos and class at Zwartkops as Liebenberg steals the spotlight

Saturday’s Astron Energy Polo Cup action at Zwartkops Raceway delivered drama, downpours and a dose of déjà vu as former champion Bradley Liebenberg returned to the series with a bang—clinching pole position and the only race win of the day in treacherous conditions.

Heavy overnight rain turned parts of the Pretoria circuit into something closer to a water park than a racetrack. With streams cutting across the asphalt and what resembled a dam near the pit straight, officials delayed proceedings and eventually trimmed the programme to a single feature race.

That was all Liebenberg needed. Piloting his Sparco-liveried Polo with confidence, the 2019 champion made a clean getaway in the restarted race, holding off current championship leader Mo Karodia who kept the pressure on throughout. Despite Karodia’s best efforts, Liebenberg kept it tidy under pressure and took the flag in style.

But the race wasn’t without its share of chaos. The Bertholdt brothers, Judd and Bjorn, tangled early on, sending Judd’s car into the standing water and forcing a red flag. Judd, however, recovered well and mounted an impressive comeback to claim third behind Karodia. He fended off a spirited charge from Rory Atkinson, Tyler Robinson, Ethan Coetzee, Hannes Scheepers, and Charl Smalberger – who were locked in an entertaining scrap for the minor placings.

Further back, Dhivyen Naidoo edged out Roshaan Goodman for tenth, with Bjorn Bertholdt salvaging some dignity after his off. Bevin Masters, Milan Emslie, Pierluigi Muzzulini and Nirav Singh rounded out the finishers.

In the Astron Energy Polo Masters class, Wayne Masters once again proved unstoppable, securing another victory to edge closer to back-to-back titles. Derick Smalberger finished second on track, but a jump-start penalty for John Kruger saw Mike Barbaglia promoted to the final podium spot ahead of Elio Muzzulini.

A second race was attempted but was ultimately abandoned after separate heavy crashes for Atkinson and Robinson brought out the red flags again – this time for good – as the winter sun dipped below the horizon.

The net result: Bradley Liebenberg made the most of his one-race return, while Mo Karodia did exactly what a title contender needed to – finishing second, extending his lead in the championship, and walking away from Zwartkops with more than just a soggy race suit. Judd Bertholdt’s strong recovery kept his title hopes alive, while Wayne Masters all but wrapped up the over-50s category.

The Astron Energy Polo Cup now takes a winter breather before racing resumes at Cape Town’s Killarney Raceway on Saturday, September 13, for the penultimate round of the Extreme Festival.