Pepper Racing greeted the new era of the Engen Volkswagen Cup in fine style on Saturday as thee of its cars ended up in the top four overall at Kyalami’s Motorsport Festival season opener.
Tasmin Pepper turned in a second and a third on the day to end up second overall and win the Masters class, Shaun La Reservee was third and fourth in the heats en route to third for the day and second in Masters and Polo Cup Rookie Keegan Campos was third and fourth on his way to fourth overall, second Junior and first rookie home. Jason Campos meanwhile enjoyed a busy afternoon en route to 13th overall.
“We had a great start to the new-look Polo Cup,” team principal Iain Pepper confirmed. “Kyalami was our first race with the all-new turbocharged push-to-pass Polo GTI ending up with three out of four cars in top four with Tasmin and Shaun first and second in Masters and then Keegan second in Juniors in his debut in a saloon car, was a truly awesome result. Unfortunately Jason had a gearbox problem but was on pace to have given us a front running result. Well done to the whole team for a great effort to get the cars ready — now we have a little time to get all four cars spot-on for one of Pepper Racing’s favourite hunting grounds at Killarney 21 April – bring it on!”
Midrand lass Tasmin Pepper was in robust form in the Electric Life Pepper Racing Polo: “That was a great day at the office,” Tasmin beamed. “The racing looks like it’s going to be really close all year so I’m happy to walk away with the overall Masters for the day and second overall! “The team put in a great deal of effort to get the cars to where they are and we can only get better, so I’m really looking forward to the next event in Killarney next month. “Well done to my teammates — this is definitely going to be a fun year in the pits and on track!”
Durban driver Shaun La Reservee was happy with his first outing in his new Alpine Volkswagen Pepper Racing Polo: “What a way to start a new era!” Shaun smiled. “We had an awesome weekend all-round — I love this new car and even though I struggled a little with outright pace, Cape Town will be better. “I am so proud of the team for getting so much done in such a short time to start the season off so well. “Now we head for Killarney and that’s going to be a brilliant one – Pepper Racing loves Cape Town!”
Keegan Campos was delighted to be the best of several Polo Cup rookies en route to second among the Juniors aboard his Campos Transport Pepper Racing Polo. “I’m thrilled with today’s result,” Keegan reported. “There were some pretty strong rookies who have come to Polo Cup this year and it is an honour to be the best among them – thanks so much to Iain, Shane and the guys for a brilliant car — it can only get better.”
Brother Jason Campos struggled with gearbox issues aboard his Turn 1 Insurance Pepper Racing Polo and can’t wait for Killarney. “I had great pace but we struggled with the gearbox, but we have plenty of time to get 100% right before the next race and I love Killarney — bring it on!”