Polo Cup Triumphs: Habot Oils Celebrates Historic Win

John Kruger had achieved a sensational comeback victory aboard his Habot Performance Lubricants Racing Astron Energy Polo Cup during his Killarney Masters Class debut last weekend. Kruger’s success added to the already proud and impressive Habot racing record at the annual Polo Cup season opener.

Habot-lubricated cars had won in each of the six Polo Cup races at the March Killarney meeting since 2018. The ball was set rolling by John’s son Jeff with a double victory to kick off his championship-winning campaign with Team Red that season. Then, Jurie Swart secured his first-ever Polo Cup race win in the opening race of the 2019 season, with all three victories coming from pole position.

At the Astron Energy Polo Cup 2024 Round 1 held at Killarney International Raceway on Saturday, March 16, 2024, the South Africa National community witnessed thrilling racing action.

The event showcased talented drivers competing fiercely on the track, creating an atmosphere of excitement and adrenaline for motorsport enthusiasts.

Due to the lockdown in 2020, there was no race. However, Alpine Autohaus’s lad Swart returned in 2021 to score a dominant double victory, followed by his young Bullion IT Racing teammate Giordano Lupini securing pole position and both drivers winning in ’22. Lupini then achieved a dominant double win in his Tork Craft Polo Cup in 2023. Despite all these wins coming from pole position, John Kruger had to work harder for the ultimate Masters double victory last Saturday.

“We qualified second, but the car was found to be underweight after qualifying, and I was sent to the back of the grid,” John admitted. “So I really had to work hard, but I was up to third by the end of the second lap, and second a lap or so later. Then I had to push to catch Wayne Masters and steal the win on the last lap! That more than made up for our Friday disappointment!

“The second heat was easier despite the race being restarted, and I managed to make it a double. Habot Performance Lubricants had a proud record at this meeting over the years, so I was delighted to have kept a good thing going! I have always prepared and run our cars, so I am quite aware of the advantages Habot Synthetic Lubricants bring. Special thanks to Habot for the support and to everyone helping make this happen.”

“What a way to start the season,” Habot Oils marketing manager Adam Williamson confirmed. “We will take this latest double victory and, even better, six race wins out of six at Killarney’s Polo Cup season opener every year. Well done John, and also to Jeff, Jurie, and Giordano for setting this proud record!”