Another race day, another overall race day victory for defending champion Michael Stephen (A1). Stephen expected to be competitive at a tough event, the penultimate round of the Super Series – which started with him posting only the third fastest qualifying time.
The last Killarney round of the Bridgestone Production Car Championship was always expected to be a demanding event, with no clear advantage available to any one team or racer. This made the event highly unpredictable for both race fans and the teams.
Stephen’s qualifying time was transferred to the first race when he finished in third spot – for his first podium result of the day. This was later altered by officials to a second-place finish after they had reviewed video footage of the on-track event. Race two, the feature race for the day that counts for the most points, saw Stephen take the top step, winning the race and achieving his second podium finish in the Cape.
“Having won the second race here at Killarney, keeps the championship alive” says Stephen. “We’ll go into that final round ready to give 100 percent in terms of effort at Zwartkops. I’m happy with the second race result having started from fifth and finishing first. We’re in a good position for the final event.”
While Stephen was finishing at the top of the standings his teammate, Simon Moss (A38), was pushing hard to produce one of his best race-day displays of the season. While Moss didn’t finish on the podium at this event, he produced excellent pace and some great racing on the day.
Moss started race two in pole position, putting the stronger and more experienced racers directly behind him.
“There was quite a bit of pressure in the second race,” says Moss. “I got a good start and was leading for a bit. When Michael caught me, I had to drive defensively to try and keep my position but the other drivers eventually got past me as well. I’m happy with a fourth though, it is a good result for that race.”
With the final round of the Super Series taking place at Zwartkops Raceway on the first weekend in November, the Engen Xtreme team is confident of their chances on the day. With two race meetings already having taken place at the track, and the Engen Xtreme Audi S4 quattros producing good results at each of those events, this gives them good reason for optimism.
Stephen has already claimed the Bridgestone Production Car Championship title on multiple occasions and the final round of the season will see him in action trying to claim another, using every bit of driving skill and racing talent he has, combined with years of motorsport experience to give him the edge over his rivals.
