BPCC: Audi Sasolracing aiming for top results at Killarney Racetrack‏

Sasolracing Press Release

AUDI SASOLRACING AIMS TO EXTEND PRODUCTION CAR CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD AT KILLARNEY RACES

Gennaro Bonafede and Hennie Groenewald head into the second round of the Bridgestone Production Car Championship at Killarney in Cape Town in first and third places respectively in the early season championship standings, fully intending to give Audi Sasolracing another set of results to further entrench their title aspirations.

The Killarney Racetrack features completely different characteristics to Zwartkops Raceway, host of the first round that saw Hennie and Gennaro dominate practice and the first race; two very long straights with fast, flowing corners are the order of the day, features that Team Manager Vic Maharaj believes will suit the blue, yellow and white Sasolracing Audi S4 quattros.

Whatever the outcome of qualifying and race 1 at the 3.3km long circuit, Gennaro Bonafede will start from the back of the Class A grid; new rules for 2014, designed to spice up the show, dictate that the championship leader starts from the back of the class for the longer, double points scoring feature race.

Gennaro Bonafede: “The five very long corners will definitely favour the Audi racers but I am concerned about tyre wear in the longer, second race.  It doesn’t help me starting from the back of the grid but I expect the race fans will enjoy the battle as I try every trick in the book to get to the front.

I’m in a much better place than I was last season.  It’s great to be part of such a vibrant team supported by Sasol.  They are fully involved in our campaign and leverage their sponsorship in a dynamic way”.

Hennie Groenewald: “Killarney has always been one of my favourite tracks.  Its design lends itself to close racing and the fans pack the stands.  Looking at our performance, I think it is realistic to target race wins.  The track is less familiar to us as we don’t do any testing at the circuit, but that is the same for everyone.

The car feels great and I’m looking forward to a great day’s racing”.

Vic Maharaj: “Historically, Killarney has been kind to Audi so we are optimistic.  The engine breathes better at the coast and I expect a strong weekend from the team.  The brakes come under huge pressure because of the braking zones at the end of the two long straights.  It is critical to have stability in the corners, a consistent brake pedal and good traction out of the corners.  Tyre wear is not an issue, although Gennaro has expressed some reservation as the race length is split over two races, and not three as was the case last year.

We need eight consistent points-scoring race weekends for our championship and to put on a good show for the spectators while achieving our goal”.

Race fans are invited to the pits area to meet the team and chat to the drivers between the races.

Photo credit: David Ledbitter