02.08.2004 The Alfa Romeo versus BMW battle in the South African Production Car Championship reached fever pitch at Kyalami over the weekend, the rivals claiming a win APIECE
Production car rivalry hit boiling
point this weekend as the Alfa Romeo versus BMW battle reached fever pitch at
Round 11 and 12 of the SA Production Car Championship at Kyalami.
Fans of the respective brands were treated to a fantastic spectacle of
racing as Alfa Romeo Squadra Corse scored another victory in the first heat for
the Alfa Romeo 147 GTAs.
“Such is the rivalry between Alfa Romeo and BMW now that SA Production
Car racing is returning to the levels it enjoyed in the 1980s and 1990s when
brand loyalty was a cause of contention in the stands,” said Michael Burkhart,
general manager for marketing at Fiat Auto SA.
“Banter between BMW and Alfa fans are just reward for Alfa Romeo returning to
racing in this country. It is great to see competitive racing thrilling
spectators.”
Alfa Romeo Squadra Corse has been working really hard with its team of
sponsors, mechanics and drivers, urged on by the success at the last round and
the continuing passion for motor racing the team enjoys.
“Our racing activities are not only about marketing and brand success, but also
for the sheer exhilaration that motor racing represents.
"Alfa Romeo has an illustrious history on the world’s race tracks and South
African spectators are enjoying the thrill the brand has shown on local tracks
in the past,” said Burkhart.
The Alfa Romeo Squadra Corse 147 GTAs set the pace in the first heat,
drawing out a good gap on the second placed BMW of Hennie Groenewald.
A misjudgement on Martin Steyn’s part saw his LG Alfa Romeo 147GTA falter at
what the driver thought was the end of the race, but the victory was saved on
cumulative time because of the race being run in two parts for an accident on
lap 2.
That instance, and an altercation between Marco da Cunha’s 147 GTA and
Anthony Taylor’s BMW, made the works BMW team hungrier than ever to get back at
the Italians, Taylor taking victory in race two with the Alfas finishing in
third and fourth.
Replacement BMW driver, Hennie Groenewald took overall victory for the day.
Alfa Romeo Squadra Corse moves to Round Seven of the Vodacom Power
Tour in East London on 28 August.
Race 1 Result, 9 laps (aggregate of 3+6): 1st M.Steyn Alfa Romeo 18:56.040, 2nd H.Groenewald BMW 18:56.415, 3rd M.da Cunha Alfa Romeo 18:56.671, 4th S.Morris BMW 18:59.220, 5th L.Poulter Mercedes-Benz 19:42.246, 6th S.var der Linde MINI 20:09.963
Race 2 Result, 9 laps: 1st
A.Taylor BMW 18.35.953, 2nd H.Groenewald BMW 18:37.225,
3rd J.Fourie BMW 18:40.296, 4th M.da Cunha Alfa Romeo
18:42.040, 5th M.Steyn Alfa Romeo 18:42.240, 6th S.Sorensen
BMW 18:42.312
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