Solid Progress for VW’s Tait at Red Star

Christopher Tait continued to build momentum in his rookie Astron Energy Polo Cup campaign with a composed and encouraging outing at Red Star Raceway this past weekend.

Returning to a circuit he’s familiar with from his Volkswagen Challenge days, Tait used that experience to settle in quickly, working methodically through Friday’s practice sessions to find a comfortable balance in the car. That approach paid off in qualifying, where he put together a clean lap to secure eighth on the grid, right in the mix of a tightly packed field.

Race 1 was exactly what you’d expect from Polo Cup: close, intense, and with no room for mistakes. The reigning VW Rookie Cup Champion found himself in the thick of the midfield battle while sitting in 6th position, but kept things tidy. However, a lingering gearbox issue began to surface, costing him valuable lap time and limiting his ability to challenge further up the order and finally bringing the car home in ninth while staying within touch of the group ahead.  

In Race 2, he took another step forward. With confidence growing, Tait drove another controlled race to secure seventh place, once again fighting in a tightly contested pack despite the gearbox issue returning towards the end of his race.

Reflecting on the weekend, Tait remained upbeat:

“It was a solid step forward for us. The pace is definitely there, and even though the gearbox issue held us back a bit in the races, we still managed to come away with decent results. There’s a lot we can build on from this, and I’m feeling more comfortable with the car every time we go out. A big thank you to Volkswagen Motorsport South Africa and the team for the continued support.”

All things considered, it was a weekend that showed clear progression. Even with the setback, Tait remained consistent, composed, and firmly in the fight, a strong sign of his continued development in one of the most competitive categories in South African motorsport.

With another round in the books, the focus now shifts to refining the small details and unlocking those final tenths as the season continues. The next round of the championship heads to Zwartkops Raceway over 22-23 May 2026.