Sasol Racing’s “Top Guns”, Gary Formato and Phillip Kekana came away from the opening round of the 2004 Vodacom Power Tour at A.A Kyalami on Saturday (28 February) with a respective WesBank V8 podium and a Class B SA Production Car point. –
– The first recipient of the Sasol “Top Tech” Award, for notable preparation and race weekend technical expertise amongst SAMCAR technicians, was Dave Drury, chief mechanic on the Johan Fourie MD Transport Opel Omega. –
– Formato struggled to find the right balance and mechanical grip on his new Sasol Ford Mustang on Friday, to qualify 5th. –
– The former double WesBank champion, however drove his heart out in race one, taking 3rd behind Fourie and Hennie Groenewald (Havoline Jaguar). –
– With one lap to go in the later event Formato was third, just behind Larry Wilford (Fuchs Ford Mustang) and Fourie. –
– So focused on his probable overall finishing position for the day (2nd), Formato did not see his (“1 lap to go”) pit board and he slowed, allowing Groenewald and Grant van Schalkwyk (Hi-Q Ford Mustang) to take 3rd and 4th, respectively. –
– “I’ve done some dumb things before, but nothing as damn doff as that”, said Formato afterwards. –
– “I’m at least pleased to have points in the bag and with a month to go before the next round in Cape Town (3 April), we can pay serious attention to the suspension of the Sasol Mustang.” –
– Phillip Kekana’s new Sasol Toyota RunX Rsi was literally built in three days by the team at Race Prep, a remarkable effort and a scenario which meant he arrived at Kyalami on Friday afternoon with a stock-standard showroom-type car, no adjustments having been made to the engine, suspension or exhaust system. –
– Nevertheless, he qualified and, despite a collision with a Class C car and a resultant bent front left steering arm, finished the first 9 lapper just outside the Class points. –
– Makeshift realignment of the steering besides, Kekana took 6th in race two, his best time a full 2 seconds a lap improved on his qualifying time the day before. –
– “With the right modifications and racing ECU we’ll be up there come Cape Town”, says the Sowetan who is thrilled to be back in Production Car racing. –
– Angus Thompson, in the Sasol-supported Class C Volkswagen Citi Golf, had a brilliant day, taking overall class honours with pole position, second to Dave Compton (Toyota Tazz) in race one and a 3 second victory over Miguel Pasqualli (Ford Ikon) in the second race. –
– For the latest news on Sasol Racing’s Top Guns visit www.sasolracing.co.za or call 08-22-33-4321. –
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