ProMotor www.promotor.co.za
March 2009 - Issue 01
FREE
Bridgestone Production Car Championship WRC : Cyprus to challenge even Loeb!
eMagazine
The birth of Brawn GP A1GP action hotting up!
FORD’S BIG BANG
THEORY! the first ever FREE environmentally friendly motoring magazine...
GENEVA SPECIAL
Perana Z-one
NRC
preview
REGULARS 06 WET PAINT
ABARTH 500 FERRARI 599XX INFINITI G37
12 LEGENDS 20 STUFF 26 SPORT KIND THANKS TO CONTRIBUTORS: Motorpics HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS Newspress
FEATURES 03 Perana Z-one
Drop-dead gorgeous: Meet the Perana!
06 Ford Focus RS
300bhp is plenty, especially when fed to the front wheels. Ford’s done it again!
10 GENEVA SPECIAL
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ProMotor Editor: Evan Rothman evanrothman@gmail.com 083 452 6892 General Manager: Anton Wannenburg anton@promotor.co.za 082 929 6120
FEATURE 03:Perana Z-one/06:Ford Focus RS/
Drop-dead gorgeous:
Meet the Perana!
FEATURE
This is an important piece of engineering you see on these pages. Not only because this super car is breathtakingly beautiful, but because it has been conceived, designed, engineered and developed right here in sunny South Africa. Patriotism is the new flavour, and never before have I been more proud of what us Saffers have achieved, WRITES EVAN ROTHMAN. Jimmy Price, he of Hi-Tech Automotive in Port Elizabeth, is the brainchild behind this new car, the Perana Z-one. Funded by a group of friends who are also well-known motoring and racing enthusiasts, the Perana Performance Group was established to produce this stunner of a car. Unveiled to the motoring world at the prestigious Geneva International Motor Show, it received rave reviews and international recognition: it has put South African back on the automotive map!
With the world currently reeling in a downwardspiralling economic downturn, which was resulted in the demise of many low volume car manufacturers around the world and coupled with the changes in European Union legislation allowing low volume manufacturers of type-approved models to enter their markets, this created the opportunity for Price to realise his dream: not to produces just replicas of famous sports cars, but to design, develop, engineer and manufacture his own brand. These sleek and svelte lines have been styled by one of the world’s most highly respected design house, Zagato. A super car is not only about looking the part, for the Perana Z-one offer up a traditional front-engined, rear wheel drive, two seater coupe driving experience that will excite motoring purists while enabling them to crisscross countries and continents in the lap of luxury.
“this super car is breathtakingly beautiful”
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FEATURE Looking at the car from every angle, it is plain to see the aggressive intent of this machine, from its front-end, sculpted side vents to the sharplystyled rear and wheel arches, this car’s design oozes speed and aero-slipperiness. Zagato’s styling philosophy is to produce sports cars that are simple, light and aerodynamic. The Perana has been penned with all those elements, and the result is a super car that tips the scales at only 1 195kg.
Equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, further highlighting its intentions as a drivers’ tool, as a driver you are surrounded by the latest, lightest and most luxurious of materials to aid the performance of the car. Hitting the anchors, much like the car’s acceleration figures attest, is another aspect where this car shines. Up front braking is taken care of by huge 32mm 2-piston sliding calipers, while the rears are 305mm 1piston sliding calipers. The sticky Michelin rubber (front: 275/35 ZR18; rear: 345/30 ZR19) provide loads of grip in any situation.
“a fire-breathing allaluminium 6,2-litre V8 engine”
Beneath the curves and swoops of the bonnet is a fire-breathing all-aluminium 6,2-litre V8 engine producing a whopping 330kW of power and a tree-stump pulling 583Nm of torque! With a power-to-weight ratio of 240kW/tonne, this exotic super car slayer will be able to sprint from standstill to 100km/h in under four seconds, hit the 160km/h mark in less than 10 seconds and reach an eye-popping top speed of 299km/h… Have I mentioned how proud I am to be a South Africa today?
Befitting the status of super car, the Perana Z-one will only be produced in limited numbers (as are all Zagato-inspired sports cars). Only 999 a year will be manufactured in Port Elizabeth, and sold through an as-yet-to-be appointed dealer network in Europe. I can’t wait to see this beast take the streets…
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FORD’S BIG BANG start for Focus RS has marked the 10th anniversary of Ford Focus and 40 years of Ford RS, backed by two consecutive World Rally Manufacturers’ Championship titles. Combined, these factors make the creation of the new Focus RS very appropriate,” says Capito.
ST gearbox on which it is based, with minor modifications to bearings and clutch housing and a revised, stronger differential. Overall, the gearing is one per cent longer than that of the ST due to the larger rolling circumference of Focus RS’ specially developed tyres – further evidence of the team’s attention to every detail. This allows gearing long enough for Focus RS to reach the allimportant 100 km/h barrier in second gear.
The power is transferred from the engine to the wheels via a specially-developed six-speed Ford RS transmission. It shares its gear ratios with the Focus
Torque is put onto the road by a Quaife helical limited slip differential. This LSD was originally developed for the fivespeed Focus RS in 2002, but
THEORY! Created to produce highperformance road cars, Ford RS has only badged 22 Ford vehicles with the highly-praised and respected RS badge in its 40-year history. Six years have passed since the last Ford RS, the Mk1 Focus RS, but this year it will release the new and much anticipated Focus RS in 2009.
The new Ford Focus RS is the creation of Ford Team RS (which is headed by Jost Capito) and Ford of Europe experts across the engineering spectrum. More than 100 engineers have been involved in the Focus RS project! The Focus RS was developed to have poise, power, performance and precision to enable it to trade lap times with far more exotic vehicles and to be a benchmark for performance and value for money in its segment. The result is this: a 300bhp and 440Nm turbocharged 2,5-litre Duratec engine powered Focus that is able to repeatedly lap the 20,8km of the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit and then comfortably cruise home afterwards. “The 2009 production
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FEATURE has been revised and improved by the Ford Team RS gents to complement the six-speed 2009 Focus RS.
ST). At the rear, a modified muffler uses two larger 100mmdiameter ‘trumpet’ tailpipes to further reduce pressure losses.
The sports exhaust system is also unique to Focus RS: the Focus RS uses a one-brick catalyst to enhance flow and reduce exhaust back-pressure, whilst meeting current exhaust emissions requirements in Europe. The design of the turbo and manifold allows the Focus RS to use the ST’s exhaust geometry, down-pipe and flex, with revised hangers to accommodate the car’s 20mm lower sub-frame. The exhaust system now features a modified mid-section with a revised 4.2litre mid-muffler, fitted around Focus RS’ larger 62-litre fuel tank (up from 55 litres in Focus
This entire exhaust system has been tuned not only for optimal performance, but to provide a sporty sound too. A “sound symposer” system has been installed to amplify selected engine frequencies to produce a pleasing engine sound into the cabin, contributing to that all-important RS performance environment. The exhaust note is raw, giving it a motorsport edge! And, what’s more, Ford Team RS also created a spark retard that produces the pop and crackle in the exhaust on throttle lift. The Focus RS is able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5,9 seconds, and reach a top speed of 263km/h! A combination of wider track and RevoKnuckle front
suspension is the reason Ford has been able to do what was thought impossible previously: develop a 300 bhp frontwheel-drive car that is not only driveable every day, but faster in many situations than allwheel-drive performance cars. With such performance capability on tap, it’s no surprise to find Focus RS offers a vicelike braking performance. Large 336mm x 30mm, ventilated front discs are gripped by stiffer, single 60mm piston callipers, supported by 302mm x 11mm rear discs. Focus RS also boasts unique high-friction brake material and a tandem brake booster, all combining to generate up to 1.2 g under braking and give Focus RS a stopping distance of just 34.8 metres from 100km/h. The 2009 Ford Focus RS is inspired by Ford’s World Rally Championship success and this is most obvious in its large gloss-black front trapezoidal air intake, which creates an immediate visual link to the Focus World Rally Car – design for the road, true to motorsport principles.
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WET PAINT 08:Abarth 500/09: Ferrari 599XX/10: Infiniti G37/11:Nissan GT-R VSpec/ WORDS: EVAN ROTHMAN
A Legend Reborn! The ultimate incarnation of the Fiat 500 has been created by Abarth, the Fiat Group’s performance division, to produce the aggressive Abarth 500! Re-launched last year Abarth is on a mission to reclaim its position atop the performance car ladder. Re-engineering the city car from the ground up, Abarth has been able to produce a machine purpose-built for the modern driving enthusiast. Not only does the Abarth 500 look every part of the racer, thanks to bodywork that’s longer and lower than that of a regular 500, it’s also entertaining to own and driving every day. Don’t take our only word for it: BBC’s Top Gear magazine has already named the Abarth 500 the prestigious Hot Hatch of the Year. This is due to the traditional Abarth ethos of using racing experience to make rewarding, high performance road cars at an affordable price. Sales to customers then fuel the ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 08
racing activities which lead to further road-car developments in what amounts to a “virtuous circle.” The Abarth 500 is powered by a 1,4-litre turbocharged engine, which has been designed to be responsive throughout its rev range as well as being economical and gentle on the environment. With a top speed of 205km/h, this city car is a racer indeed. It is able to accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in 7,9 seconds, but it is not only a straight-line racer: the Abarth 500’s suspension has been comprehensively redesigned and the car is equipped with Torque Transfer Control to improve its poise through corners even more. The Abarth 500 typifies a machine designed to empower owners to express their passion for driving, without sacrificing any environmental responsibilities or driving comfort.
WET PAINT
The Ultimate “Boy’s Toy?” The mighty Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano has now been further enhanced with the arrival of the sporty and dynamic Handling GT Evoluzione (HGTE) Package. Also introduced recently to the world was the 599XX, which is a “technological laboratory” aimed at a selected group of clients. Ferrari’s 599XX features the most advanced technologies, developed exclusively for this car.
THE RIVALS
The yet-to-be launched Aston Martin One-77. This is super exclusive: only a handful will be built. And they’ve all been pre-sold!
The Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera is mighty quick. It’ll hit 100km/h in less than 3,4 seconds!
ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 09
WET PAINT
Drop-top
HEAVEN!
Infiniti added a fifth model to its European market, the G37 Convertible. This is arguably Infiniti’s most seductive car yet.
Powered by a 3,7-litre VQ-series V6 with VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift) developing 320PS, providing dynamic performance.
The G37 Convertible is the latest expression of “Inspired Performance” by Infiniti, combining beautiful styling, exciting performance and a three-piece retracting hardtop that is designed to look as good with the top up as it does down.
Bringing sharper looks and fiestier driving characteristics, this car is set to wow!
ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 10
WET PAINT
Black or white, I want one tonight!
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ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 11
LEGENDS 08: Hannu Mikkola/
WORDS: EVAN ROTHMAN
Rally drivers don’t get more charismatic than this Finn. Outspoken, popular and a genus behind the steering wheel, Hannu Mikkola is a living legend... Born in the sleepy town of Joensuu on 24 May 1942, Mikkola only started rallying in 1963 (that’s at the age of 21, for those readers not born with a Chinese brain). His rallying career spanned an impressive 31 years, but his most successful was during the 1970s and 80s. In the early 1970s he was achieved top form in the many international events he entered, usually in a Ford Escort, and it was only in 1979 that he mounted a serious challenge for the World Rally Champion crown. He finished runner-up... Much like today, the Finns ruled the prestigious 1000 Lakes Rally in Finland. They might as well have renamed the event after Mikkola, for he lifted the winner’s trophy no less than seven times! This is one of the most specialised events in the world of rallying, and is widely regarded as the most challenging in terms of driving. To cement his name in the minds of his many thousands of fans, Mikkola also decimated his rivals four times at the RAC Rally in Great Britain. But back to the WRC... Mikkola once again ended the season in the runner-up position in his Ford Escort, and then decided to move to the allnew Audi team for 1981 to contest the WRC in the then revolutionary four-wheel drive Audi Quattro. The Mikkola/Audi recipe proved successful from the outset: Mikkola led the 1981 WRC Rally Monte Carlo, Audi’s first ever event, until an accident forced him to retire from the rally. He won the next event, the WRC Rally Sweden, convincingly but his Audi suffered problems with reliability resulting in him being unable to repeat his win on the WRC RAC Rally Great Britain. That year Mikkola only managed third overall in the WRC Drivers’ Championship. He won the 1000 Lakes and the RAC rallies the following year, but did not improve on third position overall in the championship, finishing behind Opel’s Walter Rohrl and team-mate Michele Mouton. ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 12
1983, however, was to be Mikkola’s dream season. He notched up four wins and three second places, and he lifted the WRC Drivers’ crown. A second place in the championship followed in 1984, behind his teammate Stig Blomqvsit, but in 1985 he dropped to 22nd in the final standings after the Audi team was overwhelmed by the new Group B competition from Peugeot and Lancia. Mikkola remained with Audi until 1987, winning the Safari Rally in a Group A Audi 200 that year, before switching to Mazda for the 1986 season. He remained with Mazda until entering into semi-retirement in 1991, although he continued to make sporadic appearances on international rallies until retiring completely from motorsport in 1993. Mikkola has made brief appearances since then, including re-uniting with his co-driver Gunnar Palm for the 25th anniversary run of the 1970 London-to-Mexico World Cup Rally (Mikkola won the original 1970 event and the 1995 re-run) and competing in the London-Sydney Marathon 2000 Rally, re-united with his 1968 1000 Lakes Rally winning Ford Escort RS1600 and co-driven by his oldest son, Juha. Mikkola was immortalised by the opening line of Half Man Half Biscuit’s 1985 song Architecture and Morality, Ted and Alice: “The wonderful dexterity of Hannu Mikkola / Makes me want to shake hands with the whole of Finland”. Bar Trivia: Mikkola was involved in the only international stage rally to end in a dead heat. On the 1978 Burmah International, Mikkola and Russell Brookes finished equal on total stage times, but Mikkola won the event by virtue of having been faster than Brookes on the opening stage. May the spirit of Hannu Mikkola live long in motorsport, for he carved the way forward for aspiring young drivers such as Marcus Gronholm and Mikko Hirvonen, as well as F1 star Kimi Raikkonen!
“The wonderful dexterity of Hannu Mikkola / Makes me want to shake hands with the whole of Finland.”
s e k a r b d Han &Hairpins world of e th to in t h ig s in r u o y
rallying
HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS. Your FREE source of all things rallying: the latest news from around the world; award-winning photography; insightful columnists; in-depth feature articles; and, all event previews and reviews. HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS is a weekly e-magazine. Distributed via e-mail and available for download from several websites, this fast-growing publication is created as a .PDF document for easy distribution and high-quality resolution. Contact Evan Rothman at 083 452 6892 or via evanrothman@gmail.com for your FREE subscription.
ITS GENEVA! Headlights, Parking Cameras and Racing Action: Geneva Motor Show ‘09
Each March hundreds of thousands of people make their way through the Palexpo Centre in Geneva, Switzerland, to not only gawp at the exotic beauties on display but also to drool over the lovely models hired by car companies to ensnare visitors to their respective stands... This year, the Geneva International Motor Show was ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 14
bigger than ever. The exhibitors list ran into the thousands… and a feast of vehicles were launched internationally. Being the first European car show on the calendar, the Geneva show draws massive attention from not only the motoring media but also the various motor manufacturers. Renowned for featuring hundreds of concept cars from the biggest
car makers under the sun, it is also generally accepted by manufacturers to premier their new technology to the world in Geneva. What follows on the next pages is ProMotor’s favourite international launches, concept cars and new vehicles for 2009… WORDS: EVAN ROTHMAN.
ITS GENEVA! ASTON MARTIN
British motor manufacturer Aston Martin launched two very special models in Geneva, its most potent production sports car ever as well as a drop-top exotic. The Aston Martin V12 Vantage features a monstrous 6,0-litre V12 engine, pushing out 380kW of power and 570Nm - Yowzers! - propelling the car from standstill to 100km/h in 4,2 seconds and on to a top speed of 305km/h. This latest drivers’ tool makes extensive use of the company’s racing heritage, as it is equipped with race-bred materials and components, and features lightweight carbon fibre to maximise performance and agility. Alongside the V12 Vantage at the Show was a new model to complete the already highly-acclaimed DS line-up. The DBS is now even more desirable: it is also available as a drop-top! The DBS Volante (with ‘Volante’ meaning “moving with light rapidity”) perfectly defines the performance and dynamic characteristics we wish for in a convertible. It features a motorised retractable fabric roof that converts the car from coupe to cabriolet in 14 seconds. To boot, it is fitted with the same motor as the V12 Vantage, so expect more than gentle breeze when nailing the accelerator!
VOLVO
Giant Swedish motor manufacturers Volvo premiered their new S80 executive saloon at the show. The updates give the range-topping Volvo a more distinctive and dynamic design and striking front end, while the interior too boasts enhanced luxury and comfort levels. “The new S80 should not just be seen, it has to be experienced. The atmosphere inside is both more comfortable and luxurious. We’ve also made the interior more driver-oriented, with a new steering wheel and upgraded instruments,” says Volvo Cars President and CEO Stephen Odell.
AUDI Audi is once again producing a five-cylinder powerhouse: the Audi TT RS! It packs a turbocharged 2,5-litre engine producing well above 250kW. It also delivers explosive acceleration, driving delight, and unrivalled sound, while the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system keeps a tight rein on the power. The compact TT RS – with its lightweight and largely aluminum body constructed as per the Audi Space Frame principle – is a driving machine to be reckoned with. The TT RS is currently due for introduction in South Africa during 2010. Also unveiled at Geneva was the new A4 Avant all-road quattro, a more ruggedly and agile interpretation of the all-road philosophy. It is based on the current A6 platform, and will feature a raised chassis and wider track for greater versatility. It will join the already long list of impressive Audi vehicles available on the market today.
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ITS GENEVA! FIAT
Fiat has presented another breath-taking expression of the 500, this time a cabriolet. According to Fiat, this new model is evocative of “freedom and emotion”: who can argue with that? This cabriolet pays homage to the 1957 open-top model, while offering class-leading powerplants, interior comfort and an array of luxury features. The Fiat 500C features an innovative soft-top - a fully-fledge window to the sky. Fiat state at the launch that this car’s features include “stubborn reliability and environmental friendliness”. Moreover, as proof of Fiat’ commitment to ecology and sustainable mobility, the new 500C incorporates the innovative “Start&Stop” system, a device controlling momentary engine shutdown and subsequent reignition. To this end, at every stop when shifting to neutral and releasing the clutch, the engine is switched off and then restarted simply by selecting a gear. Fiat’s 500C is a highly original exercise in design, the soft-top of the Fiat 500C stands out for its refined electrically-operated linkage and engineering solutions of great quality and finish, such as the glass backlight and the built-in center high mounted stop light. There are no plans at present to introduce the 500C in South Africa, but we can all hold thumbs!
MERCEDES-BENZ
Showgoers were wowed when they were presented with the all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe. Sporting the classic coupe side profile (no B-pillars and fully retractable side windows) the two-door model is rated as the world’s best in terms of drag co-efficient with a Cd figure of 0,24, making this the world’s most aerodynamically efficient seriesproduction car. As you’d come to expect from Mercedes-Benz, the E-Class Coupe is fitted with a host of luxury and comfort features. Other technical innovations found on the new E-Class Coupe includes selective damper control, drowsiness detection, preventive occupant protection and the Active Bonnet. As a feature specific to the Coupé, the Dynamic Driving package allows different suspension setups at the touch of a button. Adaptive Main Beam Assist and an automatic emergency braking system are also features with which the new series sets standards in this vehicle category. New powerplants (both diesel and petrol) produce more power and torque more easily, while consuming a claimed 17 percent less fuel. The exemplary fuel consumption has not only been achieved because of the new engines, but also with a number of practical measures. These include ondemand activation of the steering and fuel pumps, the use of tyres with low rolling resistance and an alternator control system which takes account of the current driving situation and the vehicle’s electrical power requirements, plus the very decisive factor of outstanding aerodynamics. Luxury and comfort features surpass even your imagination in this new model from Germany. With performance, style, poise and elegance in abundance, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe will be the envy of many motorists the world over. ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 16
ITS GENEVA!
cs” i m a n y d r aero o o l f r e “und
ALFA ROMEO
A high performance concept of the new Alfa MiTo, the Alfa MiTo GTA, has been unveiled. As with other GTA models beofe, the MiTo GTA Concept prioritises weight reduction and the achievement of an optimum power-to-weight ratio. According to sources, considerable work has gone into lowering the car’s centre of gravity: to achieve this, certain components have been constructed from carbon fibre
and lightweight aluminium. In keeping with this, a new and compact turbocharged petrol engine has been designed: from just 1 742cc a remarkable 240bhp is produced! Under-floor aerodynamics have been a particular concern, while the entire car has been lowered by some 20mm. Front suspension employs new geometry with aluminium leading arms, while the rear suspension has all-new bushings, and the comprehensively revised chassis
boasts an ‘active’ suspension system, (advanced damper control), which counteracts the transfer of load under acceleration, stiffening the rear end and maximising traction. The suspension also interacts with the braking system and steering to obtain the most efficient control of vehicle dynamics, while a ‘Sky-Hook’ function ensures an excellent level of passenger comfort under conditions of everyday use.
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ITS GENEVA! VOLKSWAGEN
34 years ago, Volkswagen introduced the Polo supermini to the world. This year, the motor manufacturer unveiled the fifth generation of this popular model range. It is sharper, lighter, safer and more technologically advanced than before, and is set to establish the new benchmark in its class. Not only is the new Polo lighter, it is also wider, taller and longer, promising higher levels of comfort, refinement and practicality. Along with its fresh styling, the new Polo will be powered by a choice of new petrol and diesel engines. Expect its sales figures to rocket!
SAAB
A new edition to the Saab range is the 9-3X, which Saab believes is the ideal alternative to large and heavy crossover SUVs. It offers distinctive styling, a versatile Sport Wagon body, higher stance and advanced all-wheel drive technology, as well as fuel efficiency and functional storage. This new model will be available with either Saab’s 2,0-litre turbo diesel petrol engine mated to the technically advanced Cross Wheel Drive system (XWD), or the 1,9-litre TTiD diesel motor fitted with front wheel drive. The 9-3X embodies Saab’s turbo charging philosophy of combining a dynamic driving experience with a fuel efficient power train to achieve responsible performance. The 9-3X has a 35mm raised chassis (20mm higher than on FWD models) than the standard two-wheel drive Sport Wagon. The raised chassis is specially designed for those who frequently use gravel or unpaved roads without compromising the driving experience on asphalt. Saab’s 9-3X all-wheel drive technology is an intelligent active system that continuously distributes engine drive torque between the front and rear axles as required for optimum stability and traction in all conditions. It also incorporates a pre-emptive engagement of the rear wheels: this eliminates the need to detect front wheel slip before rear drive is activated through the electronically-controlled Torque Transfer Device (TTD). Saab’s 9-3X is targeted at modern individuals: independent-minded people who enjoy life, culture, outdoors, sports and family. These are people with active lifestyles who have demands for versatility.
MINI
Unveiled to the motoring world at the Geneva International Motor Show 2009 was the new Mini John Cooper Works Convertible. Featuring the same high performance dynamics of the hatch model, the 1,6-litre twin scrollturbocharged engine produces 211bhp and 280Nm, translating into a 0-100km/h sprint time of 6,9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 234km/h. A lengthy standard equipment list includes a John Cooper Works Alcantara steering wheel, sports seats, unique lightweight 17” alloy wheels, John Cooper Works floor mats and a black interior. A Sport button is located on the gear lever, and when pressed it activates the engine control map to boost earlier in the rev range, sharpen steering and throttle response for an even more thrilling driving experience.
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ITS GENEVA! MASERATI
True to Maserati’s commitment to introduce a new model at each international car show, the GranTurismo S Automatic was premiered at Geneva. This new model features a 4,7 V8 which develops 323kW at 7 000rpm. The maximum torque is 490Nm at 4 750rpm. The major novelty is the combination of the automatic transmission with the most powerful wet sump Maserati V8 on the GranTurismo – until now offered as 4,2-litre with automatic transmission and 4,7-litre with an electro-actuated gearbox. Thanks to the combination of the 323kW produced by the powerful 4,7-litre V8 engine and the smoothness of the ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox, the Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic remains consistent with the original granturismo concept while at the same time offering peak performance. The gearshift strategy applied to the Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic inherits some widely appreciated elements of the Quattroporte Sport GT S, such as the elimination of the kick-down in Manual mode.
LEXUS
Lexus has premiered its new RX 450h SUV crossover, with this new model featuring the company’s latest Hybrid Drive system. Significantly reducing CO2 emissions to 148g/km, the RX 450h is also more fuel efficient than the RX 400h, the model that introduced hybrid power to the premium sector. The RX 450h is powered by a series/parallel hybrid system making use of a highly efficient 3,5-litre V6 petrol engine and two electric motors working in tandem to provide an ‘intelligent’ four-wheel drive capability. Total power output is 295bhp, enabling a top speed of 198km/h and 0 to 100km/ acceleration in 7.8 seconds.
JEEP A new version of the Jeep Patriot has now been launched, featuring an all-new and high-quality interior. These enhancements include a new instrument panel, a redesigned centre console and remodelled door trim. Updates the Patriot have freshened this Jeep’s appeal, and will continue to service Jeep’s growing customer base worldwide.
MAZDA Mazda enthusiasts will be thrilled to see this new car, the flagship of the company’s Mazda3 model line-up. An all-new Mazda3 MPS has been introduced to the world. It boasts numerous exclusive design details to make the car appear more sporty. This includes a bespoke new air-intake scoop on the bonnet, a larger floating rear spoiler and wider tyres. On the inside, the Japanese engineers and designers have been busy too. Now with a premium feel and more impressive features, the Mazda3 MPS is all the car you’ll ever need. Under the bonnet is the same mighty 2,3-litre DISI turbocharged petrol engine, but has been reworked to improve its fuel efficiency. It also features the world’s first single-nanotechnology catalytic converter. ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 19
ITS GENEVA!
ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 20
ITS GENEVA!
SHOWSTOPPER! The Continental Supersports is the fastest and most powerful Bentley ever. It was presented to awe-struck media at the Geneva Motor Show 2009. It is the extreme Bentley, a muscular two-seater that delivers supercar performance and a highly focused driving experience. The Supersports is also the first Bentley capable of running on both petrol (gasoline) and biofuel, pioneering the use of FlexFuel technology in the luxury sector. This represents stage one of the company’s commitment to make its complete model range compatible with renewable fuels by 2012. Available worldwide from spring 2009, the Continental Supersports will be FlexFuel compatible in the majority of markets from launch with North American cars offering the capability by summer 2010, following regulatory approval. The Continental Supersports began as an ‘under the radar’ project exploring the possibilities of weight reduction on the Continental GT but with more power and torque. A largely experimental process crystallised over a period of 24 months into an official new car programme, driven by the passion and enthusiasm of a small group of Bentley engineers and designers. The results are dramatic. With 463kW and 800Nm and new ‘Quickshift’ transmission that halves shift times, the Supersports sets new performance benchmarks for Bentley. It accelerates from 0100 km/h in 3.9 seconds onto a top speed of 329 km/h. Supercar performance is complemented by an array of chassis enhancements including retuned steering and suspension, utilising lighter weight components, retuned dampers and anti-roll bars. Agility is further sharpened by the 40:60 rear-biased torque split for the all-wheel drive system, a wider rear track, bespoke lightweight 20-inch
alloy wheels and a unique electronic stability programme. Carbon ceramic brakes are standard fitment, benefiting steering response, grip and ride comfort, while saving weight. Overall, the engineering team have achieved a weight reduction of 110 kg compared with the Continental GT Speed. The evolution of the Supersports’ design is very much a case of ‘form following function’ with new purposeful sculptural forms signalling the engineering changes beneath the skin. For example, the increased power and torque of the W12 engine necessitated additional airflow to the twin turbocharger intercoolers and cooling system. Bentley’s designers responded with a purposeful and dramatic style that features large vertical intake apertures and twin bonnet vents. Similarly, new flared rear wings that accommodate the 50 mm (2 inches) wider rear track are designed to emphasise the powerful stance of this ultrahigh performance coupe. The resultant Supersports style combines the looks of the iconic Continental GT with a new and distinctive appearance that reflects its more extreme character. The Supersports is further distinguished from its Continental coupe stable mates by a unique dark-smoked steel finish to all exterior ‘brightware’, including front grilles, lamp bezels, window surrounds and wheels. A complex ‘Physical Vapour Deposition’ process is applied to all stainless steel components to give a lustrous and highly durable finish. A car industry first, this process is normally used as a coating on industrial tools, watches and even hip replacement joints. Fully embracing the extreme spirit of the Supersports, Bentley’s interior designers have created a unique ambience. The cockpit represents a dramatic re-interpretation of Bentley
interior design in which carbon fibre and AlcantaraTM not only convey a sporting and contemporary style but also reduce weight. The Supersports is a strict two-seater featuring allnew lightweight sports seats with carbon fibre clamshell rear panels. In the rear compartment, the seats are replaced by a stowage deck with a carbon fibre luggage retaining beam. The new interior also provides a showcase for the skills of Bentley’s craftsmen and women at the company’s factory in Crewe, England. Signature premium grade leather and brightware are complemented by carbon fibre panels, replacing traditional wood veneers. The Continental Supersports is capable of running on either petrol and E85 biofuel or any combination of the two. E85 biofuel can offer a reduction of up to 70 per cent in CO2 emissions on a ‘well-to-wheel’ basis. Well-to-wheel is a measurement of a fuel’s net CO2 contribution to the atmosphere, not just tailpipe emissions. It is a way of quantifying how much CO2 a fuel emits from its growth or extraction (well) to its combustion or deployment (wheel). It includes refinement, distillation and transport of the fuel. The fuel supply system detects the blending ratio of the fuel in the tank and ensures that power and torque remain constant regardless of the ratio of petrol to biofuel. The result is seamless power delivery in the Bentley tradition. The ‘Supersports’ name is inspired by the original twoseater 3-litre Supersports model introduced in 1925, itself an evolution of the 3-litre Speed. The lightweight, 85 bhp Supersports was the first production Bentley to reach 100 mph and was also renowned for the application of Le Manswinning race technology. ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 21
NEW DAWN 18: RINSPEED iChange
Rinspeed are world famous for their concept cars. But, it is their visionary leader, Rinderknecht, who has the future of the automobile on his mind. Not content to build a car to meet the needs of tomorrow, Rinderknecht has set his sights on bringing the future to today instead, WRITES EVAN ROTHMAN.
car with room for three. “We have designed and built an extremely flexible vehicle,” continues Rinderknecht. “In it we have brought the themes of versatility and continually changing energy demands to their logical conclusions.” The result is a lightweight, zeroemission car with dramatically reduced energy consumption.
On this page, the clever concept car before you is the iChange. “The iChange is a signal for the coming global changes to individual mobility,” says Rinderknecht. “We need to meet these challenges with new ideas.”
An adaptive body is the iChange’s trump card. This is how it works: the sole driver is transported in the teardropshaped car that offers optimal aerodynamic properties and thus minimized energy consumption. If more than one person needs to be transported, the expanding rear provides room for two passengers. As a result of the increased
The iChange is a streamlined one-seater car that is able to transform into a comfortable
ENTERING A NEW
weight and no longer optimal aerodynamics the energy consumption increases, but only for as long as the passengers are actually on board. The energy for the motor comes from lithium-ion batteries, providing 150kW of power capable of accelerating the car to a top speed of 220km/h! Sprinting from standstill to 100km/h takes a little over four seconds… This impressive performance is made possible with the help of a six-speed pre-selector gearbox from the Subaru Impreza WRX car. The integration technology for the engine/generator, electronics and battery connection interface was supplied by Siemans AG. What is attention-grabbing
NEW DAWN
about this car is that it has no doors. The electrically-powered roof section of the car tilts forward to allow passengers to board. In keeping with its minimalist theme, the car has also done away with a key: this function is replaced by an Apple iPhone which controls the vehicle’s most important systems. A pure wool has been used in the interior, further enhancing the eco-friendly nature of this concept car. Not only does it provide an extremely extravagant ambiance, but it also looks stunning and is delicate to the touch. The seams of the seats are reversed and the removable seats cushions are adorned with the prototype’s name. While
textiles can be found in the „iChange“ in their original form in other areas, they are newly interpreted on seats and cargo floor using various refinement techniques such as braiding and gathering and a combination of both. Leather strips alternate with technical textiles. The seat cushions are interchangeable, braided felt alternates with technical textiles formed into three-dimensional shapes. This transfers the adaptive concept of the “iChange“ to the interior as well. The Swiss Federal Ministry for Energy (Bundesamt für Energie) supports the “iChange“ project as a ground breaking research and development project. Solar panels on the top and sides of the roof provide electricity to
the fan to keep temperatures in the “iChange“ comfortably low on hot summer days. The large Sharp solar panels also provide additional eco-friendly charging of the batteries. With the “iChange“ Rinderknecht, and his partners once more want to provide food for thought for the automotive industry. The Swiss car visionary: “If we want to maintain our individual mobility in the future we have to rethink the car in its entirety, without taboos. Most of all, we have to take its ecological aspects into consideration.” And in the end everyone has to personally answer the same question: Am I ready and willing to change myself, do and can ‘I change’?
ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 23
911 to the core: A Classic Chronograph wristwatch, Limited Edition from Porsche Design. It features a quartz movement, split-time measurement and date display, stopwatch function for up to 12 hours and tachymeter, luminescent hour and minute hands, dial with highlights in blue, black stainless steel case with antireflective sapphire crystal watch face. Diameter: 44 mm. Rubber strap in black with tyre tread pattern on the inside. Also comes with a fabric strap with TO THE CORE logo in blue and special tool. porsche-design.com
Volkswagen’s Eos. Its fast approaching winter. Buy this model to remind you of your top-down summer days... vw.co.za
STUFF YOU NEVER
ESSEN
Need to keep the sun from your eyes while cruising along Chapman’s Peak (when its open)? Then, take a look at these sporty shades from Volkswagen: the GTI. Impressive. vw.co.za
You’ve just parked your Silver Audi R8 in the drive. Nice. Well done. But you’re going out for a meal the Missus... Slip these stylish R8 cufflinks on. audi.co.za
ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 24
For those with a more relaxed outdoor pasttime, a picnic togbag, cooler and blanket. An Audi aficionado’s dream. audi.co.za
A Land Rover embroidered cap. For the tough guys. Hard as nails, like the mighty Defender. landrover.co.za
KNEW YOU NEEDED
NTIALS A leather cap celebrating “60 Years of Porsche.” This leather cap is available as a limited edition of 600 examples worldwide. It features an elasticated panel on the back. It is made of 100 percent nappa lambskin, with an “antique” finish. The interior lining is 100 percent viscose. The colour is described as “Cognac”. Sizes: M, L, XL. porsche-design.com
ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 25
SPORT 26:IRC Rally/27: Belfast Rally & Bredasdorp Rally/28:Wesbank Super Series/30: Team Sasol Subaru/31: A1GP/32: Tour Natal Rally/34: WRC Cyprus Rally/35: Sports Shorts
Rising IRC star: Meeke wins! Peugeot UK driver Kris Meeke has won the allgravel Curitiba Rally in Brazil, round two of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge series. The Irishman claimed all seven stages on the opening day of the rally, and then controlled his advantage on the second day to finish the event with a 26,2 second margin over Peugeot Belgium’s Nicolas Vouilloz, who finished second. Meeke and Vouilloz set exactly the same time on the final stage of the rally, before heading back for the podium ceremony at the Curitiba circuit, which was immediately followed by the qualifying session for the opening round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship. Before the session started, the winning car of Meeke completed a lap of the Curitiba circuit, bringing rallying and racing together in a unique way. Vouilloz overhauled Abarth driver Giandomenico Basso on the final afternoon, who eventually finished third. The pair had been locked in a tight battle for the runner-up spot throughout the two days of the rally, with Vouilloz initially claiming an advantage before Basso passed him on the final stage of day one. This meant that the duo headed into the last day of the rally separated by just 0.3 seconds. When Basso stalled on the opening stage of the final afternoon, losing about 10 seconds, Vouilloz was able to make his move, which he defended to the end. Peugeot Belgium’s Freddy Loix was fourth, to move into the championship lead by three points. From the beginning, Loix - who finished second in Monte Carlo - said that his objective was to claim the lead of the series in Brazil, so he was not pushing at his hardest. He also had the handicap of running first on the road throughout the opening day of the rally, which cost him a lot of time as he swept up loose gravel. Meeke also had to cope with this handicap during the second ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 26
day of the rally, but it was not so bad during the afternoon when the morning stages were repeated. Loix now leads the championship on a total of 13 points, ahead of Kris Meeke, Sebastien Ogier and Giandomenico Basso: who are all tied for second on 10 points. Nicolas Vouilloz is third in the standings with eight points. In fifth place on the Curitiba Rally was Argentinean driver Alejandro Cancio, who put in an extremely strong performance at the wheel of his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9. Cancio was consistently in the top-five stage times, even setting a third-fastest stage time at the end of leg one. He beat local driver Rafael Tulio, who finished sixth overall and was also the top two-wheel drive runner in his Peugeot 206 S1600. Another Brazilian, Fiat driver Luis Tedesco, was second in the two-wheel drive category. Rounding off the points-scorers in Brazil was local man Marcos Tokarski, in his Peugeot 206. The stunning Brazilian stages also led to some notable retirements, including Abarth’s Anton Alen. The Finn suffered some suspension damage after hitting a rock on SS3 and lost time, but worse was to follow on the second day of the event when he went too quickly into a corner and rolled out of the rally. Other key retirements included former Production Car World Rally Championship star Marcos Ligato, who was forced to retire from sixth place on Friday after loose rubber from a front puncture damaged his Mitsubishi’s radiator. Saturday saw the retirement of Paraguayan driver Victor Galaeno (Mitsubishi) and the similar car of local hero Osvaldo Scheer.
SPORT
Subaru Bruma Belfast Rally: Mud, Sweat and Gears Round one of the 2009 Northern Regions Rally Championship was the Subaru Bruma Belfast Rally, organised by Rand Motoring Club, WRITES EVAN ROTHMAN.
On the eve of the event, the Mpumalanga town of Belfast experienced between 40 and 80mm of rain, turning the raly’s normally dry and dusty stages into a mud-bath. This resulted in some 25km of stage kilometres to be cut out from the most drenched stages. It was Japie van Niekerk in his Toyota RunX S2000 that proved the quickest, blitzing the rest of the field by a whopping 07min 30s. Not being able to score points for the Northern Regions Rally Championship, Van Niekerk’s win was unofficial. That accolade went to Callie van der Merwe and Elvene Coetzee (Nissan Exa). Second place overall went to Christo and Rene Coetzee (Volkswagen Golf TDI), while third place was won by a fast Jose de Gouveia and Armand du Toit (Toyota Corolla) Fourth place went to Natie Booysen and Pieter van der Walt, who enjoyed an untroubled run in the tricky conditions.
Eric Storbeck and Carel Vos (Volkswagen CitiGolf) won Class S1 and grabbed fifth place overall. In sixth place was their Subaru Impreza WRX STi of Tjaart Coetzee and Raymond Hennop, followed in seventh place by Gavin Harrison/Duncan Leslie (Toyota Corolla). Newcomers to the sort, Lourens du Plessis and codriver Herman Groenewald placed eighth overall, but were set to finish higher up the order. A one minute time penalty was handed to the Ford Fiesta pair for clocking in too early. The Hewitts, Sean and Gavin, ended a brilliant 9th overall in their Subaru, followed by sponsor Gary Berndt/Lohan Spies in their Subaru Bruma Impreza GT. Gary Berndt and Lohan Spies (Subaru Impreza) rounded out the top ten. A total of 29 crews survived the gruelling conditions, while a further 16 crews were classified as non-finishers. The next round of the Northern Regions Rally Championship is the SAHRA Rally on 28 March, which will be followed by Tzaneen Rally on 9 May.
Kwikfit Bredasdorp Rally: High-Speeds in the Cape Round One of the Western Cape Regional Rally Championship kicked off on Valentine’s Day, and it was celebrated by having a number of premier class S2000 and N4 entries, WRITES EVAN ROTHMAN.
their new car to finish second overall.
It was Jean-Pierre Damseaux and Patrick Vermaak (Team Total Evolution Toyota RunX S2000/S5) that proved victorious, winning nine of the ten stages in the Overberg region in the Western Cape. National competitors will need to be wary of Damseaux this season…
Abduraghman Amly and Yusuf Ganief (Amlay Motorsport Toyota RunX RSi N3/S4) finished fourth overall to soundly beat their N3/S4 rivals!
In the ex-Fernando Rueda Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX N4/S5 were Mike Nathan and Derek Jacobs who impressed in their first outing in the
A further two minutes adrift in third place overall were Fernando Rueda / Cobus Very (Toyota RunX S2000/S5), who also debuted their new machine.
The Kwikfit Bredasdorp Rally, organised by the Witzenberg Motorklub, kicked off the 2009 Western Cape Regional Rally Championship in the best possible way with exciting rallying and a festive atmosphere: here’s to more of the same!
ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 27
SPORT
Seller is victorious at Aldo Scribante Talented young rider Clinton Seller produced two sublime SA Superbike Championship performances to upstage reigning champion Sheridan Morais at the opening round of the WesBank Super Series at the Aldo Scribante circuit here. Morais (Emtek Racing Kawasaki), on the way to clinching a second national title, completely dominated last year’s championship. It was Seller, on a Team Yamaha entry, who was the one rider to last year provide Morais (Emtek Racing Kawasaki), with a run for his money. Seller went one further and completely overshadowed Morais who this season is riding in both the SA Superbike, for 1 000cc machines, and the 600cc SA Supersport class. Morais both times climbed off the Supersport machine to go straight into a Superbike race. Riding both classes is a decision Morais might rue as the season progresses. Be that as it may he was no match for Seller today with a former champion, veteran Zimbabwe rider Shawn Whyte (Team Yamaha), also showing good early season form with two third places. There were also good early season performances from Robert Portman (Emtek Kawasaki), Greg Gildenhuis (Race Nation Honda) and young Dane Hellyer (Kyocera Kawasaki). It was, however, Seller’s day and it looks as though an interesting season lies ahead. There was consolation for Morais with a pair of Supersport wins – but he had to work hard for them. In both races he was pushed all the way by young Dylan White (JW Aluminium Yamaha) who grabbed two second places with Eddie Alberts (Race Nation Honda) scoring two third places. With Morais having to fight off a bunch of emerging young riders, the Supersport series is also shaping up to produce interesting racing. Morais is
SPORT attempting an unprecedented feat – winning two SA motorcycle championships in one year – and is going to have his work cut out.
Not far behind Seller when individual honours were being dished out was March Auby (ELT Jaguar) who won both heats of the WesBank V8 Supercar event. Auby also upstaged a reigning champion, Hennie Groenewald, who did not have a happy start in his quest to win four WesBank championships on the trot. Auby sneaked pole position ahead of Groenewald and controlled the opening race from start to finish. Auby led home Groenewald, in the Timken Jaguar, and younger brother Brandon in another ELT Jaguar with Wade van Zummeren (Border Towing Mustang) and Richard Pinard (Timken Jaguar) completing the top five. Race two, started from a partially inverted grid, saw Auby having to work his way through the field. He was well rewarded for a smooth drive while Groenewald’s race hit problems on lap two when he picked up a puncture and lost two laps in the pits. Darron Gudmanz (Crazy Js Chev Corvette) started from pole position and was gradually hunted down by Mark and Brandon Auby. Gudmanz held on for a hard fought third with Deon Auby, father of Mark and Brandon, coming home fourth ahead of Jaco Correia in a Liqui Moly Chev Corvette. Two hugely competitive Bridgestone Production Car races saw former champion Anthony Taylor (Afrox BMW 330i) and Michael Stephen (Terry Moss/Xtreme Team Audi A4) share the race wins. Taylor took the first race ahead of reigning champion Johan Fourie (Indy Oil Audi A4) and Stephen who got the better of a brief scrap with Leeroy Poulter (SAM Racing/GP Windscreen Nissan 350Z). Stephen also profited when Melville Priest (Audi A4) went farming. At the flag Taylor led Fourie and Stephen with Poulter and Danie Olivier (Sasol Subaru WRX) a distant fourth and fifth. Race two produced some hectic
racing among the frontrunners, but once Stephen had earned himself a little breathing space he was never under any real pressure. Fourie went past Taylor on lap five with the latter then having to hold off Priest and the aggressive Shaun Watson-Smith, in the second Xtreme Team Audi, who was a race one casualty. Reigning overall and Class T champion Graeme Nathan, in the Indy Oil/Kaye Eddie VW Golf GTi, shared wins with multiple SA champion gary Formato in the Ford Racing/Nandos Ford Focus. Nathan took heat one and Formato race two with local veteran Curt Alchin (Bodyman Golf GTi) helping himself to a pair of third places. Newcomer Andries van Eeden, in a Toyota RunX had a good start to his season. He scored a double after two workmanlike drives in a class that looks a little thin on the ground. There was also a double for former Formula Ford champion Jayde Kruger (Fast Freight/Motul FVW) in the Formula Volkswagen event. The championship this year carries national status and Kruger never put a foot wrong in both races. In heat one Kruger was under pressure from Wesley Orr (SAM Racing/Global FVW) who finally outbraked himself at the Toyota hairpin. That left Kruger in charge and he came in ahead of local schoolboy Simon Moss (Terry Moss/Southern Sun FVW) and Gordon Connelly in the Bravo/ Cowan Signs FVW). Kruger was again under pressure from Orr in race two. Orr this time saw out the distance but was never close enough to Kruger to mount a meaningful overtaking manoeuvre. Connelly was again third with Moss fourth and Tasmin Pepper fifth in the PG Glass/VW Racing FVW). Kieran Quarmby (Gallardo VW Polo) and Divan Robertson (Champion VW Polo) shared the VW Engen Cup wins. It was not a happy day, however, for reigning champion Jared Mortimer (Liquid Lounge VW Polo) who started his season with an eighth place and a did not finish. Quarmby won race one ahead of Robertson and new kid on the block Kosie Weyers in the Xtreme Team VW Polo. Robertson ran away with race two with Weyers second and Mathew Hodges third. ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 29
SPORT
Team Sasol Subaru Team Sasol Subaru made a satisfying start to the 2009 Bridgestone Production Car Championship, with a 5th place in the first heat and a frustrating 8th in the second race after Dawie Olivier was shunted off the circuit from a fighting 5th overall, leaving the team classified 5th on aggregate at the end of a sweltering hot Port Elizabeth day.
Friday practise saw the Sasol Subaru Impreza STI hampered by a turbo boost leak, leaving the engine down on power. Olivier set a time of 1:09:937 and 1:09:388 around the 2.4km circuit in the two sessions. The team tried an aggressive new suspension set up to overcome the excessive tyre wear experienced last year, and it certainly seemed to work, for Olivier was able to run 40 laps on one set of tyres. Team technicians Derrick Dearlove and Petrus Moabelo worked late into the night to repair the problem, leaving a charged-up Olivier ready for qualifying on Saturday morning. Olivier made a mistake on the second of his three flying laps and was baulked by a slower car on his final hot lap, leaving the frustrated driver 8th on the grid. “We lose 15-18 percent of our power advantage to our rivals at coastal altitudes in that they gain power, whereas we have a constant absolute pressure because of the turbo-charger”, Olivier explained. The team was bumped up the order after the two Engen Audis were relegated to the back of the class A grid for running under the minimum weight so Olivier lined up 6th for the Subaru Impreza STI’s first heat. On Friday, the organisers announced that BP had become the official Production Car fuel supplier. Dean Somerset, Head: Sponsorships at Sasol said: “The Sasol and Subaru relationship is strong and will continue unaffected by this latest development. The Subaru team will continue to use Sasol race fuels as they feel it is technologically superior to the organiser’s sponsored products”. Race 1: Chaos erupted down the main straight on the first lap when four competitors crashed heavily after solid contact, forcing the race to be red flagged. A reduced field re-started a new 12 lap race, and by lap two, Olivier had the Sasol Subaru Impreza STI up to 3rd ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 30
overall. ”My strategy was to stay out of trouble, especially at the first corner where there is usually a lot of pushing and shoving, so I stayed wide for the start and it worked well for me”, said Olivier. A mistake on lap three let rivals Leeroy Poulter and Michael Stephen past as the heat took its toll on the Impreza’s tyres, dropping to 5th where Olivier finished. “I felt the car start to understeer, so I had to wait for the front end to settle before hitting the throttle, which really hurt my speed down the straight”, Olivier reported. The problem compounds itself as the tyres overheat, especially the left front, and the understeer gets worse and you wait longer to get on the gas, lose time, and lose speed”. Race 2: After minor suspension setup adjustments, Olivier started race two holding off the Audis of Shaun Watson Smith, Melville Priest and the Nissan of Marco da Cunha over the first hectic laps of the race. Closely following Johan Fourie’s Audi and braking into the final turn before the main straight, Poulter tapped the Subaru’s right rear corner, which half spun the car, leaving the right side of the car open to further attack by the Nissan. A hefty bump on the rear door sent the helpless Olivier backwards through the kitty litter. “I was going well in the opening lap. I’d passed Poulter and was closing in on Fourie when Poulter hit me twice under braking for Goodyear Corner. I went off backwards’”, said a disappointed and somewhat angry Olivier after the race. “After that the car’s handling felt strange, as if the suspension had been damaged so I decided to back off but stay on track and pick up a point or two”. “Although we didn’t expect too much at the coast, I did expect a bit more”, Olivier concluded. “Fifth overall is not bad under the circumstances and the points earned can have an important influence at the end of the season. We have another 16 championship races to go so anything can happen between now and then”. Team Sasol Subaru is supported by City Lodge Hotels, Garmin, Paint Technics and Ferodo. The next outing for Team Sasol Subaru is at Kyalami on 28th March.
A1GP action hotting up!
SPORT
With A1GP World Cup of Motorsport heading onto the home straight as regards Season Four attention is now switching to the next race and the championship standings. The sixth event of the season, A1GP Algarve, Portugal, on 10-12 April is at a brand new venue for the series and one of the most eagerly awaited on the calendar by the series in general and A1 Team Portugal in particular. A1GP is not the only series to have been to the impressive Autodromo International Algarve for testing as Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro driver, Felipe Massa, was there in his Formula 1 car in December. The Brazilian visited A1GP Gauteng, as he was in South Africa for a sponsor event, and spent time with A1 Team Portugal where he joined Filipe Albuquerque in a photo shoot to help publicise the Algarve event. One driver who will certainly be looking forward to this event is A1 Team Pakistan’s seat holder, Adam Khan, as this will be his Season Four debut. The 23-year-old has been dealing with the frustration of watching his fellow competitors race while his car was readied for him. His first chance to drive it came at South Africa’s Phakisa Freeway Circuit in Welkom the week of the Kyalami race. On the Tuesday and Wednesday he completed nearly 150 laps of the 4.24 km circuit and his comments were: “It’s been a long wait for me to have a car which I could safely and comfortably fit, but it’s been worth it. I really enjoyed the handling of this new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car. It was a really smooth running test and, with the excellent reliability we had, we were able to quickly move onto developing our performance. “Unfortunately we’re a long way behind the other teams now, as they have completed five race weekends and that’s given them plenty of time to understand the complexity of the car, its handling characteristics and set-up development. We elected not to contest the South African round, but we’ll be racing again at the next round in Portugal.” In the championship standings Switzerland has gone to the top of the points’ list for the first time this season. It is, in fact, the fourth team to do this as France and Malaysia left Zandvoort tying for the lead, Malaysia left Chengdu on its own at the top, Ireland took over and left both Sepang and Taupo in the coveted position, and now it’s the turn of the current World Cup holder. However, no doubt all those at the top of the standings will now start getting their calculators out as they will all be able to drop their worst score, and this could throw up some different scenarios. The current points’ situation has Switzerland leading Ireland by three points, but they have to watch out for the dark horse, A1 Team Portugal, who is six points behind. ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 31
SPORT
New year, new season: 2009 will be fast-paced! After four months of silence, it is with great pleasure that I welcome back the 2009 season of the Sasol South African National Rally Championship. Promising greater thrills, higher speeds and even more handbrake turns, the first event on the calendar is the Total Tour Natal Rally, WRITES EVAN ROTHMAN. Staged in and around Scottburgh on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, this rally is a highpoint of every season over recent years, sees Total South Africa sponsoring this opening round instead of the traditional Total International Rally in Mpumalanga later in the season. “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the opening round of the new season in the 52nd year of our company’s involvement as a sponsor, supporter and contributor to the growth and development of this popular sport in South Africa,” said Zakithi Zama, Total South Africa’s sponsorship manager. “2009 also marks the 17th year of Team Total and once again we will field the biggest privateer team in the championship.” With 15 stages taking in 180 competitive kilometres, the rally will be based at the Scottburgh Country Club with parc ferme at Sun Coast Casino in Durban. This area is renowned for its classic rally stages, with a mix of fast bends, slippery corners and high-speed sections all zig-zagging through the KwaZulu-Natal landscape. Looking at the entry list for this firs event, the BP Volkswagen Rally Team boasts three South African National Rally Championship winning crews. Reigning champions Hergen Fekken and Pierre Arries (BP Volkswagen Polo S2000) will be looking to repeat his performance last year, while 2007 champions and team-mates Jan Habig and Douglas Judd (BPVolkswagen Polo S2000) and 2006 champions Enzo Kuun/Guy Hodgson (BP Volkswagen Polo S2000) will fight to be crowned 2009 champions. The Castrol Toyota factory team crews of Jonny Gemmel/Peter Marsh (Castrol Toyota Auris S2000) and team-mates Mark Cronje/Robert Paisley (Castrol Toyota Auris S2000) pose as the biggest title contenders for overall honours this season. Having debuted their brand new Auris S2000 last season with impressive results, the Castrol Toyota squad will undoubtedly win rallies this season. Privateer teams in the premier S2000 class includes Japie van Niekerk/Robin Houghton (Castrol Toyota RunX S2000) and J-P. Damseaux/Andre Vermeulen (Team Total Toyota RunX S2000), while Fernando Rueda/Dave Lewkowicz (Team Total Toyota RunX S2000) and Lola and Megan Verlaque (Volkswagen Polo S2000) debut in this class after moving up from Class N4. Chris de Wit and Dean Redelinghuys (Team Total Toyota RunX A7) will once again to win the Class A7 championship silverware this year, but Adrian Karth (Volkswagen Polo A7), Michael Otto (Toyota Corolla A7), Schalk Burger jnr (Toyota ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 32
Corolla A7), Stevan Wilken (Volkswagen Polo A7) and Evan Hutchinson and new co-driver Elvene Coetzee (Motorite Toyota RunX A7) will all be charging hard to catch the talented driver that is Chris de Wit. Class A6 is always a closely fought championship, and this year looks set to be no different. Craig Trott (Team Total Toyota RunX A6) and Mohammed Moosa (Team Total Toyota Auris A6) will be battling each other this weekend (and the rest of the season), while Rodney Visagie/Carolyn Swan (Toyota RunX A6) move into this class after romping to the Class N3 title last year will bring a new dimension to
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this class. Andre Cleenwerck/Des de Fortier (BP Volkswagen CitiGolf A5) will be defending their title as champions in Class A5 this season. Partnering Cleenwerck/De Fortier will be Gugu Zulu and Carl Peskin (BP Volkswagen CitiGolf A5), as they will need to outperform the likes of Riyad Jaffer (Sasol Toyota Yaris A5) and Vusi Mbanga (Total Toyota Yaris A5). As in previous seasons, the highly impressive Production Car Championship will provide close rallying in KwaZulu-Natal this weekend. Visser du Plessis/Gerhard Snyman (Pirtek Subaru
Impreza N4) will be looking to wrestle the Production Car Championship crown from Charl Wilken and Greg Goodrich (Sasol/Konica Minolta Subaru Impreza N4). This will be interesting, as both crews will be rallying the Subaru Impreza N14. Another exciting driver to look out for this weekend is Hein Lategan and co-driver Johan van der Merwe (Afrox Subaru Impreza). Kosta Koumantarakis (Toyota RunX N3) appears to be the strongest driver in Class N3 this season, and will be driving for the title this year. Dave Compton (Sasol Toyota RunX N3) and Hester Erasmus (Toyota RunX N3) will have to drive hard to catch Koumantarakis. ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 33
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Cyprus to challenge even Loeb! A special feature of this the third round of the World Rally Championship 2009 season is its mixed surface: one day of asphalt competition, and the two remaining stages on gravel roads, WRITES EVAN ROTHMAN. Sebastien Loeb and Dani Sordo (Citroen Total World Rally Team will be debuting new livery on their Citroen C4 WRC machines, and will be looking to bring another 1-2 result from this rally this weekend. Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena have won here three times previously, and look most likely to climb atop the winner’s podium come Sunday afternoon. The BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team drivers of Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala have clocked over 1 300km in testing for this event over the past two weeks, so expect the young Finnish stars to challenge Loeb for the rally lead from the very first corner of SS1. The island of Cyprus has changed the format of this twisty and rocky rally, to return to the WRC calendar with its mixed surface format. This format was last seen on the WRC Rally Sanremo in 1996... After initially being favourable to the idea of a mixed-surface rally, Sébastien Loeb is dubitative about the event’s format and the requirement to contest the first day on Pirelli Scorpion gravel tyres: “It’s a shame to have only done things by half. We will be competing on asphalt with ill-suited brakes, tyres and suspension. The balance of our C4 WRC is still very good with this set-up, but we are aware that we will need to look after our tyres to avoid punctures. It will probably be nice for the spectators to see the cars sliding, but I don’t think it will be all that stimulating for the drivers. The fact that we are starting the weekend on asphalt won’t encourage us to ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 34
attack, either. What will be the point in being first overall on Friday evening. That will mean facing road sweeping duty on the next day’s loose stages? That said, this is not a strategy we will be able to afford to adopt because we will be starting the weekend first on the road. Our objective will therefore be to build up as big a lead as possible on the opening day.” Mastering the flat-out asphalt stages on Day One on gravel stages will not be an easy task. In true WRC fashion the event become even more challenging for crews on Days Two and Three. The rally action moves to the Troodos Mountains, where the roads are notoriously rough and rocky. These roads twist and snake through the mountains, resulting in this event having the slowest speeds in the WRC (in 2006 Loeb’s winning average speed was a lowly 67,45km/h). “It’s going to be difficult but a lot depends on how hot it is,” said Mikko Hirvonen. “The temperatures during our test were about 10ºC and the tyres worked well. The car moves around more on gravel rubber and it’s necessary to turn into corners earlier and to brake sooner. It’s difficult to predict what will happen because we’ve never had to do this but I’m ready for the challenge. I found a good set-up for the gravel stages during the test. The stages in Cyprus are so twisty that there are sections where a driver thinks he’s going too slowly. But to push too hard risks the car sliding wide and losing momentum. It’s important to be patient and believe that other drivers are having just the same thoughts. It’s said a lot, but this rally is unique in the championship.” The WRC Cyprus Rally will be contested over 1 198km, of those 332,07km are competitive stage kilometres divided over 14 speed tests.
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The birth of Brawn GP
It has now been confirmed that Ross Brawn has taken control of the former Honda Racing outfit.
total, would be invaluable to the outfit as it bids to make up for lost time over this winter.
After months of speculation about the future of the team, following Honda’s decision to quit grand prix racing late last December, Brawn has completely bought out the team and renamed it “Brawn GP”.
“I am delighted that Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello will form our race driver line-up for the 2009 season,” he said.
Discussing the all-important engine deal, Brawn has confirmed that the outfit will be powered by Mercedes-Benz engines for 2009. In a press conference last week, Brawn said that the huge experience that Button and Barrichello have between them, having started 423 races in
“The vast experience and knowledge that both drivers bring to our team will prove invaluable as we aim to get up to speed in the shortest possible time to be ready for the first race of the season in Melbourne on 29 March. In what will be their fourth season together, their experience with our team in Brackley, our systems and our engineers, will prove a real asset.”
Audi unveils new TDI racer Audi AG is the world’s first automobile manufacturer to develop a “second” generation diesel racing sports car. Audi aims to underline its supremacy and consolidate its expertise in car technology once more at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans with the all-new Audi R15 TDI.
and associated CO2 emissions could also be reduced. Innovations in the turbo-charging and fuel injection areas simultaneously ensure improved engine response. The R15 TDI is also equipped with a new generation of even lighter diesel particle filters.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is particularly suited for this: efficient and economical cars are especially required for the French endurance classic. Lightweight construction, environmentallyfriendly drive concepts and well-thought out aerodynamics are the focus of attention at Le Mans just as they are during the development of production cars. For this purpose the regulations intentionally give the engineers plenty of freedom.
The new sports car’s aerodynamics, which play a particularly important role at Le Mans, are extremely refined. Like the DTM 2008 championship winning Audi A4, the airflow around and through the car was optimized with CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics). Included among the many innovative detail solutions which can be spotted at first glance are a rear wing suspended from the top and a high nose.
Audi Sport fully exploited this creative freedom and put a new LMP1 race car on the track that differs significantly from all previous Le Mans sports cars. “The R15 TDI has many detailed technical solutions never seen before on a sports prototype,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport, Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “To a certain extent we followed entirely new routes.” The heart of the R15 TDI is a newly developed V10 TDI engine producing more than 600 hp, with a maximum torque output in excess of 1 050 Newton meters and which reflects the latest version of the TDI Technology invented by Audi. The power unit is more compact and lighter than the twelve-cylinder engine used in the preceding R10 TDI model. The specific fuel consumption
The vehicle electrical system in the Le Mans sports car is entirely new: a lithium-ion battery, as found in some hybrid vehicles, is used for the first time. It is lighter than the conventional battery and supplies a higher voltage. The headlights fitted to the R15 TDI also benefit from the higher power. At Le Mans, Audi competes for the first time with a low beam unit comprised entirely of light emitting diodes, which represents the next generation of Audi LED technology for road cars. The Audi R15 TDI celebrates its race debut in the 12-hour race in Sebring, Florida in the USA on March 21, with Dumfries-born Allan McNish driving one of two cars. Audi Sport Team Joest plans to field three cars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 13/14 June. ProMotor Issue 01 - Page 35
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