Engen team’s track insights may count against Bonafede
INTIMATE knowledge of the Aldo Scribante Raceway will stand the Engen Xtreme Team in good stead as the Sasol GTC Africa heads to Port Elizabeth for round five of the 2017 championship tomorrow.
Engen Xtreme Team drivers Michael Stephen and Simon Moss currently lie second and third respectively in the race for championship honours.
The pair are hoping a strong showing on their home track will help close the gap on leader Gennaro Bonafede.
“Simon and Michael enjoy racing in front of their home supporters. Most of their passionate fans come out for this race day – the only opportunity in the season they have to see the national racing locally,” Terry Moss Racing team principal Terry Moss said.
Defending Sasol GTC Africa champion Stephen has bounced back from a challenging start to the season. He takes his Engen Xtreme Audi A3 to Scribante fresh from overall victory at Zwartkops and as winner of four of the last five races.
Stephen’s meteoric rise sees him needing to score just 59 points to match Bonafede's current tally. There are 50 points available for each race win, with two races at each event. Teammate Moss lies 35 points further back and is well placed to chip away at Bonafede’s lead.
Moss faced numerous challenges at Zwartkops in the previous round, impacting on what was an otherwise encouraging performance. He produced two consistent fifth place finishes on the day, despite being tripped up by various hurdles
The Engen Xtreme Team will face a challenging yet exciting race day as they navigate the narrow Aldo Scribante circuit. Cheered on by their hometown fans, Stephen and Moss will be looking to make a real statement of intent as the Sasol GTC Africa hits the business end of the season.