Johan Fourie Racing Press Release
Round four of the WesBank Super Series is one that Johan Fourie would rather forget. His new look EPS Audi S4 may have looked the part, but bad luck plagued the team during all three Bridgestone Production Car races at Zwartkops Raceway.
At the start of the weekend, the first thing that fans noticed was the change of sponsorship. IndyOil has once again left the team who took two Bridgestone Production Car Class A titles under their banner. Thankfully, EPS Couriers stepped up to the plate and helped the team make the trip to Pretoria.
“It has been very disappointing to lose a sponsor who we believed were happy to be part of the team. EPS Couriers have been a sponsor of Johan Fourie Racing for many years, in fact from the start of our Production Car quest. They are definitely part of the family and we are very proud and thankful to have been able to run in EPS colours this weekend,” commented Johan.
The on again off again sponsorship situation left the team with little time to prepare the Audi S4 and it was clear that the pressure got to the team in the end.
Friday was tough after the crew spent the entire night rebranding the car and truck, but things started to look brighter when Johan managed to set the fourth quickest time in the final practice session.
This trend did not however carry into Saturdays qualifying when issues with the ABS destroyed Johan’s flying lap, leaving the Capetonian in a very low ninth place.
In true fighting style, Johan lined up for the first race ready to gain some positions. He managed to make up one place during the race, but damage to his S4’s suspension badly hampered his progress. He eventually finished eighth.
On quick examination between the two races, the team saw that the lower control arm was broken and whilst Johan started race two, he retired on the second lap, unable to drive with the damage.
Not setting a lap time in the second race meant that Johan had to start the final race from the back of the field. Johan started to make headway through the field when can reached Etienne van der Linde (BMW). The two spent a lap racing side by side before the BMW driver squeezed Johan off the circuit coming onto the main straight. Johan used every ounce of the Audi’s legendary Quattro abilities, but clipped the tyre barrier before recovering and returning to the circuit. Johan drove his heart out, but was too far behind to make up any meaningful ground. He ended ninth.
“Thank you to EPS and our fans for the tremendous support over the weekend. It’s is a pity we weren’t able to do better, but we can only move forward from here,” concluded Johan.
The next round of the championship will take place in Durban on 16 and 17 June.
More Information:
Johan Fourie Racing website
Johan Fourie Racing FB page
MotorPics
Photos hosted at Motorpics
