PoloDriver

Zwartkops Raceway was host to the final round of the 2014 Engen Volkswagen Cup on 1 November. The popular South African racing circuit series crowned its 2014 champion at the event, and, at 15, Sheldon van der Linde is the youngest ever.

The youngest national saloon car racing champion in South African history, Van der Linde’s brother Kelvin is also a former Engen Volkswagen Cup title holder.

While Van der Linde won both races at the final meeting (as well as the Rookie of the Year prize), his team-mate Daniel Rowe came third in the championship, securing a Volkswagen Team Award for the 2014 season for Ferodo Racing.

The outfit scored 11 race wins, 13 podium results, 14 pole position starts and 13 fast laps recorded between from 16 race starts.

Van der Linde received R25 000 for his spectacular efforts in 2014, while second placed Dewald Brummer was awarded R15 000, with Rowe benefitting from R10 000 in prize money.

Mathew Hodges claimed on the Masters title for the season, for drivers over the age of 27. Hodges has competed in this series for the past eight years.

Behind Hodges in the Masters category, Trevor Bland was second and Juan Gerber was third, receiving R12 500, R7 500 and R5000 resepectively.

The Most Improved Driver of the Year was awarded to Andrea Bate for her performance, improving from a 19th place finish in 2013 to finishing in seventh spot in 2014.

The Driver of the Day award for the final race day of the year was made to Shaun La Reservée who finished second overall at the Zwartkops event.

RACE RESULTS

Race 1
1 Sheldon van der Linde (16: Ferodo Racing)
2 Mathew Hodges (M3: ITR Africa / 959 Panelbeaters)
3 Tasmin Pepper (31: PG Glass / Suburban Panelbeaters)

Race 2

1 Sheldon van der Linde (16: Ferodo Racing)
2 Shaun La Reservée (7: Alpine Motors / Compendium Insurance)
3 Tasmin Pepper (31: PG Glass / Suburban Panelbeaters)

Overall
1 Sheldon van der Linde (16: Ferodo Racing)
2 Shaun La Reservée (7: Alpine Motors / Compendium Insurance)
3 Mathew Hodges (M3: ITR Africa / 959 Panelbeaters)


MASTERS

Overall
1 Mathew Hodges (M3: ITR Africa / 959 Panelbeaters)
2 Juan Gerber (M8: Haupt Racing)
3 Marius Roberts (M0: Ferodo Racing / VW Motorsport)


CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

1 Sheldon van der Linde (16: Ferodo Racing), 345
2 Dewald Brummer (2: MAD Racing / Grand Prix Models), 307
3 Daniel Rowe (11: Ferodo Racing), 293
4 Tasmin Pepper (31: PG Glass / Suburban Panelbeaters), 274
5 Mathew Hodges (M3: ITR Africa / 959 Panelbeaters), 250