16.11.2003 GTA MOTORSPORT ARE READY FOR BATHURST AFTER A SUCCESSFUL SHAKEDOWN OF THEIR ALFA ROMEO 156GTA

The GTA Motorsport team travelled to Eastern Creek International Raceway last Friday to shakedown its Alfa Romeo 156GTA.

“The day was organised to allow each of the drivers a familiarisation run in preparation for the Bathurst 24 Hour”, said team owner and lead driver, Andrew Leithhead. “There are three sub-classes within the Production car class (Class E) and we fall into class B, but I believe that winning the Production class outright is a realistic goal.

”The Bathurst 24 Hour is to be held at the home of Australian motorsport, Mount Panorama, Bathurst on the weekend November 22nd – 23rd. The Aegis Equities, Autodelta and MasterCOM supported Alfa 156GTA will compete in this year’s event in Class E which is for Australian Production Car Championship classes A, B and C. We have four capable drivers with a wealth of experience, and with the Alfa Romeo 156GTA we have a car capable of a podium finish in our class.”

All four of the team’s drivers, Leithhead, V8 Supercar veteran Peter Doulman, 2003 Italian Challenge winner Keith Downie, and Mirage Cup racer Kean Booker, were on hand to put the 156 through its paces.

Probably the most experienced of the four drivers, V8 Supercar driver Peter Doulman, was happy with the car, turning in consistent lap times during his stint. Keith Downie, the 2003 Italian Challenge winner and holder of the Under 2 Litre Sports Sedan lap record at Eastern Creek, and Kean Booker, a Mirage Cup competitor, also put the car through its paces.

GTA Motorsport will have a team of over 20 volunteers supporting the four drivers, many of who have a wealth of experience at various levels of motorsport. “We have a group of experienced and knowledgeable race engineers, Alfa mechanics and strategists who will make order out of mayhem”, said Leithhead, “And each member of our team knows their responsibilities. We are looking forward to this year’s event and we aim to be there at the finish.”

“All that remains for us to do is bed in our new brake package and complete a systems check. We’ll do this at the Media Day at Oran Park on November 17th.”