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Kelvin van der Linde, 16, has been crowned 2012 Volkswagen Cup champion and with it became the youngest racing driver in SA to win a National circuit racing title.
The title was awarded on Saturday at the Kyalami circuit where the final meet of the WesBank Super Series for 2012 was hosted.
The accolade of youngest title holder was previously held by his uncle, Ettienne van der Linde.
RUNS IN THE FAMILY
The new champion did not put a wheel wrong at the final round for the season, claiming both race victories on the day to finish first overall in the biggest field of competition in the Super Series.
The young Van der Linde has been involved in the VW Cup for two seasons and said of his overall victory this weekend: “We haven't had an easy season, we had two DNF's in Cape Town (the penultimate event) that affected our spirits, but we had to get back up and perform – which we did this weekend.”
“This event was about keeping our head and finishing ahead of Devin (Robertson – the 2011 champion). We were leading the championship so anything was possible and it worked in our favour.”
Behind Van der Linde, the finishing order for the season was Devin Robertson, the 2011 champion and third place was claimed by Jordan Pepper.
OTHER AWARDS DISHED OUT
The Masters category of the VW Cup had already been won by Dean Ball when the field headed to the Kyalami event, but Ball still took the opportunity to stamp his authority on the category by winning both races and claiming first overall in the Masters for the day.
Behind Ball the championship standings for the Masters category saw Eddie Rodrigues in second place for the season with Justin Taylor claiming third.
While Van der Linde claimed the title for 2012, he was not the only driver recognised for his efforts this season. The Rookie of the Year title and the Most Improved Driver award was claimed by Jordan Pepper.
RACE RESULTS:
RACE ONE
1 Kelvin van der Linde
2 Kyle Barnes
3 Jordan Pepper
RACE TWO
1 Kelvin van der Linde
2 Jordan Pepper
3 Kyle Barnes
OVERALL
1 Kelvin van der Linde
2 Devin Robertson
3 Jordan Pepper
MASTERS
1 Dean Ball
2 Eddie Rodrigues
3 Dino Manelis
The title was awarded on Saturday at the Kyalami circuit where the final meet of the WesBank Super Series for 2012 was hosted.
The accolade of youngest title holder was previously held by his uncle, Ettienne van der Linde.
RUNS IN THE FAMILY
The new champion did not put a wheel wrong at the final round for the season, claiming both race victories on the day to finish first overall in the biggest field of competition in the Super Series.
The young Van der Linde has been involved in the VW Cup for two seasons and said of his overall victory this weekend: “We haven't had an easy season, we had two DNF's in Cape Town (the penultimate event) that affected our spirits, but we had to get back up and perform – which we did this weekend.”
“This event was about keeping our head and finishing ahead of Devin (Robertson – the 2011 champion). We were leading the championship so anything was possible and it worked in our favour.”
Behind Van der Linde, the finishing order for the season was Devin Robertson, the 2011 champion and third place was claimed by Jordan Pepper.
OTHER AWARDS DISHED OUT
The Masters category of the VW Cup had already been won by Dean Ball when the field headed to the Kyalami event, but Ball still took the opportunity to stamp his authority on the category by winning both races and claiming first overall in the Masters for the day.
Behind Ball the championship standings for the Masters category saw Eddie Rodrigues in second place for the season with Justin Taylor claiming third.
While Van der Linde claimed the title for 2012, he was not the only driver recognised for his efforts this season. The Rookie of the Year title and the Most Improved Driver award was claimed by Jordan Pepper.
RACE RESULTS:
RACE ONE
1 Kelvin van der Linde
2 Kyle Barnes
3 Jordan Pepper
RACE TWO
1 Kelvin van der Linde
2 Jordan Pepper
3 Kyle Barnes
OVERALL
1 Kelvin van der Linde
2 Devin Robertson
3 Jordan Pepper
MASTERS
1 Dean Ball
2 Eddie Rodrigues
3 Dino Manelis