22.06.2004 After a solid performance last time out at Port Elizabeth the Alfa Romeo Squadra Corse are looking forward to the next rounds of the South African Production Car Championship this weekend
Alfa Romeo Squadra Corse are looking forward to rounds nine and ten of the South African Production Car Championship which take place at the Zwartkops Raceway this coming weekend.
The brand new 2.4 km circuit, situated between Johannesburg and Pretoria, has been built on the site of the original raceway which first opened in 1961. A tight, U-shaped track, it aims to pose a stern test of both driver and machine, as well as giving spectators unrivalled, close-up views of the action.
After a quite stunning double victory for the team's new Alfa Romeo 147 GTA racer on its debut at Kyalami last month, a win that gave the marque its first official track victory in South Africa for more than twenty years, hopes are high that the exciting new car can be turned into a consistent pacesetter on the track.
The two Class A Alfa 147 GTA racers
which turned out in Kyalami for the Vodacom-supporting Production Car double
header, driven Martin Steyn and
Morne Jurgens,
were joined by a third for rounds
seven and eight in Port Elizabeth earlier this month.
The last minute arrival of the third 147GTA from Italy, it only arrived by air
freight the previous Tuesday, really brought the team together in an even more
close knit form.
"The whole team prepared the brand new car for Marco da Cunha in just six days,"
said Fiat Auto's general manager for marketing, Michael Burkhart. "The teamwork
that has been created by running the three Alfa Romeo's is almost overwhelming.
Everyone is committed to keep race fans entertained and enthused by Alfa Romeo's
return to motorsport."
What is even more of an indictment of the team's efforts was that the new car
held up the entire weekend without any mechanical failure. "The fact that we
have no mechanical trouble with the new car says a lot for how hard the team
worked during last week," continued Burkhart.
The new car's reliability also meant that Da Cunha had maximum opportunity to
gain valuable experience behind the wheel of the 147GTA. While not repeating the
amazing debut result, Alfa Romeo Squadra Corse had a steady event at Port
Elizabeth, culminating in two strong finishes. In race one, Jurgens came home
fifth, followed by Da Cunha, while the second race saw Steyn fourth and Da Cunha
seventh. BMW runners dominated both heats, eventually finishing 1-2-3 in each.
"Da Cunha is making good progress in terms of getting to know the new car and
will play an integral part in making Alfa Romeo Squadra Corse an even stronger
force to be reckoned with," concluded Burkhart, "The team is taking full
advantage of the three-car force that is even stronger than before," said
Burkhart. "And with the team pulling together so well, we are confident of our
performance at the next round and our continuation to add excitement to the
Vodacom Power Tour."
Following the success of the GTA racing, Alfa Romeo South Africa has decided to
launch the Alfa 147 GTA in the 4th quarter of this year.
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|