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Da Cunha in new-look SAM team
Resumption of Bridgestone Production Car Championship hostilities at Phakisa Freeway near Welkom in the Free State on Saturday sees a new-look SAM Racing team after the two-month hiatus caused by the Soccer World Cup.
Former circuit racing champion and current South African land speed record holder Grant van Schalkwyk takes over the reins as team principal from founder Lee Philips with the team running just one Tubular Nissan 350Z in class A for Marco da Cunha.
"This is my first race meeting in charge and we will be looking to consolidate the team's activities, which include running a Nissan 350Z for Paulo da Cunha in the Pro Tour's GT Challenge, for the rest of the year," said Van Schalkwyk. "I'm thrilled to be back in circuit racing and am relishing the challenge of taking what is a respected and successful team to a new level. Our focus right now is the development of a racing Nissan 370Z and we are flat-out with this project. Our aim is to have the first car completed by the end of the year and race-ready for the 2011 season."
Marco da Cunha, like most of the drivers, loves the fast and flowing Phakisa layout and is looking forward to being back in action after the long break since the last race meeting at Kyalami in June.
"The World Cup was great and, of course, I was a big supporter of Portugal," he said. "I've been keeping fit during the enforced break and I can't wait to get back behind the wheel. It's been a tough season so far results-wise and we'll be looking to score a bundle of points in Saturday's three races."
Da Cunha is currently seventh in the championship after four rounds with a total of 51 points.
