FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE - THE CAPE TOWN ADVANTAGE?

Despite the massive points lead held by Mike Briggs in the AA 
Fleetcare Super Touring Championship, the Rothmans Audi Team will be 
going to Cape Town on May 20 secure in the knowledge the Killarney 
circuit particularly suits a four-wheel drive configuration.

"Our experience at the first Killarney race this season showed us 
the track was ideal for the four-wheel drive option and, with the 
ongoing development work on the two Rothmans cars which have seen 
them become increasingly competitive at other circuits around the 
country, we hope to be able to maximise this on the day," said Andre 
van der Watt, Manager of Audi Sport.

However, nobody in the Rothmans Audi team - or any of the other 
teams - is underestimating the enormity of the task facing them.

The combination of talent and technology in Mike Briggs and the Opel 
Vectra has allowed the Port Elizabeth driver to build a substantial 
point leads in the series and one he will extremely keen to protect 
in both Cape Town races.

Ably backed up by Grant McCleery in the second Opel Vectra, the team 
presents a formidable, although not insurmountable, challenge.

At the recent Zwartkops outing both Mike White (Minolta Toyota 
Camry) and Anthony Taylor (Castrol Toyota Camry) had excellent 
outings with White claiming pole position for the first race and 
leading both before succumbing to the flying Briggs.

The Camrys are both exceptionally quick in a straight line and could 
use this to their advantage at Killarney.

Although the BMW 318i Envirocars of Shaun van der Linde and Deon 
Joubert have had a tough time of its so far this season, neither can 
be discounted from the equation and, with Joubert on his home track, 
may finally 'come good'.

Steve Wyndham is also on his home track in the Sasol Ford Mondeo and 
more than keen - and capable - of getting a podium finish. Equally 
capable if he can get a good start is Sarel van der Merwe in the 
other Sasol Ford Mondeo.

For the two Rothmans Audi drivers, Terry Moss (also on his home 
track) and Chris Aberdein the secret will be in getting off the line 
quickly into a good position and then hoping the additional tyre 
wear of the two-wheel drive cars will give them the advantage in the 
closing laps.

"We know our Dunlop tyres are lasting better over the race distance, 
allowing the drivers to finish the race with much the same lap times 
as they started," said Van der Watt.

"Hopefully we will be able to capitalise on this."

ends