Mixed Fortune for Team Astra OPC at Kyalami

The duo of Opel Astra OPC’s campaigning class T of the Bridgestone production car championship had a mixed weekend at Kyalami.

Reghard Roets debut was a surprise to many. He was in the top three throughout Fridays practice and then went on to qualify in pole position. “Although this car was brand new, we had done quite a bit of testing with Gary’s car, which helped us to get the car set up right”. Gary van Heerden was suffering computer woes, which kept him from qualifying on Friday.

Starting race one in pole, Roets led the race up until lap five, but a loose boost pipe ended his race prematurely. Gary van Heerden was suffering an ECU problem all weekend, but did manage to creep up to sixth position after starting at the back of the field. Nathan in the SEAT took the win followed by Formato and Pepper

Race Two saw van Heerden start in third position but was once again plagued by the same problem. Roets had to start the second race in tenth position after his race on DNF. Race Two was hampered by a long safety car outing, when Formato rolled spectacularly in turn 2 after out braking himself.

Roets did a great job of fighting through the field from tenth to finish the race in second, behind Iain pepper in the Golf GTi, Nathan filled the podium positions. “The Opel Astra OPC showed great straight line speed and this suited the fast flowing circuit with its long straights perfectly, but I think the result could of been a bit different if the race wasn’t hampered by the safety car” added Roets.
The next round of the Bridgestone Production Car championship takes place at Phakisa on the 9th of August.

The team would like to thank their sponsors Webcom, Soviet eyewear, Rob Green Motorsport, SAX, TSW and Red Bull.