Press Release - Altech GT Challenge

PRESS RELEASE: March 2009

Forza Racing leaves the fairest Cape in their dust

Saturday 21 March saw the Forza Racing Team well represented at the opening round of the 2009 Altech GT Challenge Series held in Cape Town at the picturesque Killarney Raceway.

The “Dream Team” in high spirits on race day: Christo, Franco, Loris, Oscar, Rudi, Andrew, Jeremy and Nic. Sharl Parsad, one of the team’s regular drivers was unable to attend the first round, but will be back in his F430 at the second round.

The Forza Racing Team had an eventful start to the first round of the 2009 Pro Tour Roadshow. Oscar de Oliveira (Ferrari F430) was inspirational in qualifying and planted himself alongside Toby Venter (Porsche 911GT2) on the first row for Class A.

Franco Scribante (Ferrari 360 Challenge) topped the Class B qualifying times ahead of Oliver Dalais (Porsche 917) with Jeremy Pougnet qualifying in third place. Christo Lindeque (Ferrari F430) qualified fourth with Andrew Miller (Ferrari F360 Challenge) in fifth. The newest and youngest member of the team Nic Chapman (Ferrari F360 Challenge) did well to qualify in seventh place in his first official race with Rudi Botha (Ferrari F360 Challenge) alongside him. Loris Chiappa (Ferrari F430) was the best of the rest and qualified in ninth position.

Race 1

The first race got off to an absolute flyer with de Oliveira snapping at Venter’s heals through turn one. Lindeque had a lightning start and found himself in third place after the first lap! Unfortunately he dropped down to eighth position on the second lap when he was forced wide through turn three, damaging some body work in the process.

Oscar leads the pack through turn one.

Mike Wilson (Porsche GT3) managed to get past Scribante and Pougnet by the second lap with the Forza pilots still hot on his heels. Chiappa’s chances were ruined on lap four when he was forced off the track through turn two. A recovered Lindeque led a four car Ferrari train with Miller, Chapman and Botha in tow.

Battling with tyre pressure problems throughout the race, de Oliveira couldn’t overcome the substantial power advantage that Venter has but still held Gross at bay to clinch a hard fought and well deserved second place in Class A.

Wilson only just held on to take the Class B honours, while Scribante and Pougnet secured second and third places respectively.

Race 2

The second race would see the GT Challenge and Shelby Can Am categories combine for a 12 lap fight for honours. The superior power of Venter’s car once again made him the man to beat. Displaying the dedication that he has for his team, Forza Racing Team Boss de Oliveira sacrificed his second race to ensure that Lindeque’s car would be race ready for the second heat.

Pougnet got off to a great start with Scribante, Lindeque and Miller finding their way past the Porsche and Shelby Can Am opposition. The battle for the Class B lead hotted up midway through the race with Pougnet and Scribante fighting it out for first position. Scribante made his move on the ninth lap and took the lead with a well executed manoeuvre.

Scribante’s luck would run out on the penultimate lap however. Pougnet was on a comeback through turn two making his way past two Shelby Can Am competitors. He had to do some heavy braking when one of the Shelby’s moved over. Unfortunately in trying to avoid the expected collision, Scribante was tagged forcing him to retire back to the pits.
		Pougnet on his way to winning Class B.

Pougnet kept the momentum going to get past the Shelby’s and went on to take a comfortable win in Class B. The Forza Racing Team kept the flag flying high with Lindeque, Miller and Chapman filling the next four positions.

The next round of the Pro Tour and Altech GT Challenge will be held at Zwartkops Raceway in Pretoria on 18th April 2009.

Report by Greg Reilly
Pictures by Tony Alves - www.tracksidepics.co.za

Visit www.forzaracing.co.za for the racing calendar and more info.

- return -