Local racing driver Quentin Thompson made history the past month when he won the national Goldwagen VW Challenge. Quentin not only managed to win his class, he also won the overall trophy as champion of the series. It is the first time that a resident from the Soutpansberg has managed to win this very competitive racing series.

The Goldwagen VW Challenge has a history that stretches over 21 years. Some of the country´s top racers competed here and honed their skills. The series stretched over nine races this year, with the first one taking place in East London in February.

Quentin moved up to Class B this year where he competed with his dad, Peter. Good performances in the early races meant that most of the competitors in the series had to do the chasing. Quentin, in his Golf I, continued to perform consistently and ended with 168 points, 44 points ahead of his closest rival, Jannie van Rooyen. In the overall ranking he ended 14 points ahead of Lee Thompson, who won Class A of the championship. Although Lee and Quentin share the same surname, they are not related.

In the second last race of the series at the Phakisa circuit in Welkom, Quentin extended his lead and it was clear that he would not be beaten. The attention then shifted to his dad, Peter, and they focussed on assisting him in the last race at Kyalami on 13 November. The father and son combination did not disappoint and collected second and third places. In the first race, Peter in his Golf II ended second and Quentin third. The second clash saw a titanic battle between Quentin and Jannie van Rooyen, with Jannie just beating him to the finish line. Peter Thompson followed in third place, which secured him an overall third place for the season in Class B and an eleventh place in the overall classification.

"It was all due to hard work during the year," said Quentin. Before every race, the cars had to be prepared carefully and set up for the specific tracks. The distance from the race courses also provided problems, as they don´t get the same opportunities to practise as the riders who stay close to the cities. In spite of this, the team performed exceptionally well and thoroughly deserved the accolades bestowed on them during the prize-giving function the past weekend.

Race reporters made special mention of Quentin´s consistency and determination in the Goldwagen Challenge Class B Championship. Quentin´s "dominant performance throughout the season also saw him being crowned the 2010 Overall Goldwagen Challenge Champion" (www.vwchallenge.co.za).

As far as plans for next year are concerned, the two don´t want to elaborate. For the time being, they are taking a well-deserved rest. It seems very likely, however, that the Thompsons will once again be a force to be reckoned with in next year’s championship.