Alfa Romeo Squadra Corse – Rounds 11 & 12 SA Production Car championship
Production car rivalry hit boiling point this weekend as the Alfa Romeo versus BMW battle hit fever pitch at Round 11 and 12 of the SA Production Car Championship at Kyalami (31 July).
Fans of the respective brands were treated to a fantastic spectacle of racing as Alfa Romeo Squadra Corse scored another victory in the first heat for the Alfa Romeo 147 GTAs.
“Such is the rivalry between Alfa Romeo and BMW now that SA Production Car racing is returning to the levels it enjoyed in the 1980s and 1990s when brand loyalty was a cause of contention in the stands,” said Michael Burkhart, general manager for marketing at Fiat Auto SA. “Banter between BMW and Alfa fans are just reward for Alfa Romeo returning to racing in this country. It is great to see competitive racing thrilling spectators.”
Alfa Romeo Squadra Corse has been working really hard with its team of sponsors, mechanics and drivers, urged on by the success at the last round and the continuing passion for motor racing the team enjoys. “Alfa Romeo’s racing activities are not only about marketing and brand success, but also for the sheer exhilaration that motor racing represents. Alfa Romeo has an illustrious history on the world’s race tracks and South African spectators are enjoying the thrill the brand has shown on local tracks in the past,” said Burkhart.
The Alfa Romeo Squadra Corse 147 GTAs set the pace in the first heat, drawing out a good gap on the second placed BMW of Hennie Groenewald. A misjudgement on Martin Steyn’s part saw his LG Alfa Romeo 147GTA falter at what the driver thought was the end of the race, but the victory was saved on cumulative time because of the race being run in two parts for an accident on lap 2.
That instance and an altercation between Marco da Cunha’s 147 GTA and Anthony Taylor’s BMW made the works BMW team hungrier than ever to get back at the Italians, Taylor taking victory in race two with the Alfas finishing in third and fourth. Replacement BMW driver, Hennie Groenewald took overall victory for the day.
Alfa Romeo Squadra Corse moves to Round Seven of the Vodacom Power Tour in East London on 28 August.
