Two crew members of the Volkswagen Motorsport team have died in a vehicle accident on Sunday, May 29 on their way to Johannesburg.
At the time of their death, Rodger van Schalkwyk and Floyd Sipinyu were returning to Johannesburg after Round 3 of the Extreme Racing Festival which took place at Aldo Scribante race track in Gqeberha.
“Rodger and Floyd were valuable crew members in the Volkswagen Motorsport team and we are deeply saddened by this tragic loss. Our heartfelt condolences go out to their families, friends and loved- ones,” said Mike Rowe, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport.
Rodger was an experienced truck driver and had been responsible for the safe delivery of race cars to and from events for a number of years. He worked for various vehicle manufacturers before joining Volkswagen Motorsport recently.
Floyd had been working for Graeme Nathan Motorsport for six years as a technician and a co-driver of the Volkswagen Motorsport trucks with Rodger.
“Volkswagen Motorsport will not be competing in the Global Touring Cars (GTC) championship for the remainder of the 2022 motorsport season. We will investigate alternative options for our drivers, Daniel Rowe and Jonathan Mogotsi,” concluded Rowe.
A memorial service will be held for Rodger and Floyd at Zwartkops Raceway in Pretoria next week; exact details will be communicated on the Volkswagen Motorsport Facebook page.
“Volkswagen Motorsport and Graeme Nathan Motorsport would like to thank Motorsport South Africa, the greater motorsport community and our strategic partners for the outpouring of support during this challenging time.”
ISSUED BY MEDIAWIRE ON BEHALF OF VOLKSWAGEN MOTORSPORT
