The Sasol GTC Championship reaches the tail end of the season with Keagan Masters in the pound seat to claim the GTC2 championship at Zwartkops raceway on Saturday, 20th October. Both Mathew Hodges and Daniel Rowe would like to sign off the season with good results. With the GTC2 Championship almost settled, Adrian Wood is relishing the opportunity to race his Kyocera Volkswagen Golf GTi to his maiden category win.

Masters has been the dominant force in the GTC2 championship, having powered his Golf GTi to ten victories and three runner-up positions during the long season which has earned Masters a 36-point lead going into the season finale. Looking at the young driver’s record at Zwartkops following two visits to the Pretoria circuit this year, he has claimed three victories and a second place from four starts, marking him as the favourite to continue his rich form.

“I plan to stay out of trouble and finish the race – basically that’s all I need to do. The team and my car have been perfect all year. I’m relaxed about the races. Of course I would like to win but I’m in the fortunate position where I don’t have to chase victory at all costs.”

Daniel Rowe powered his Volkswagen Jetta GTC to his maiden victory at Killarney in April and followed that up with two further wins. He is confident of adding a fourth win following a successful test ahead of the race weekend.

“I want to end the season on a high note. We had a very positive test where I found a tweak that really worked for me.I’m looking forward to exploring that avenue more during free practice; I have nothing to lose and would love to reward the team for all their work during the year. I won at Zwartkops so there is no reason why I cannot repeat that this time around.”

Mathew Hodges, the winner of the final GTC round in 2016, has endured a dreadful season and is looking for a strong result to end his season on a strong note. “Above all else I want to enjoy the last race of the season. At times, the year has been frustrating for me. I have shown on several occasions that the car and I make a formidable combination but I have not had the luck I’ve needed to translate my form into results. I have one chance left to turn my season around and I’ll be going for it”.

Adrian Wood has scored five podiums from the last six races – four of them second place finishes – and he is aiming to go one better at the final round. “I have one more shot at a win now that the title is all but wrapped up; I want to win for myself, my team and Kyocera. The reality is that motorsport is a team sport and I have supported the team and their goals all year. I will give of my best and see what happens.”

Volkswagen Motorsport will also wrap up the GTC2 Manufacturers title in 2018, thanks must go to the Team and all the privateers who have contributed to this success.

Volkswagen Motorsport’s quartet of drivers takes to the track for official qualifying at 08h40. Fans are invited to join the team on the track at 12h00 for the grid walk ahead of the first 12-lap race at 12h10. The final race of the year starts at 15h35.