Castrol MINI John Cooper Works team fired up for Killarney challenge

It was supposed to have been a celebration of 75 race meetings with long-time sponsor Castrol, but a combination of cruel luck and a broken side-shaft prevented ADF Motorsport from delivering the kind of results the team intended at the penultimate round of the Bridgestone Class T Production Car Championship at Killarney in Cape Town last Saturday (September 27).

Lee Thompson qualified his Castrol MINI John Cooper Works fourth on the grid for the opening seven-lap sprint race, while Mandla Mdakane started from fifth in a seven-car field where the first four were covered by just 0,035 sec.

While championship leader Graeme Nathan dominated the race from pole position and won ahead of Gary Formato and Charl Smalberger, the luckless Thompson was eliminated from the race in the first corner as a result of contact with Michael van Rooyen. Van Rooyen had lost control after contact with Smalberger and crashed into the Castrol MINI. Mandla finished fifth ahead of Van Rooyen, who managed to continue after a visit to the pits for repairs. Thompson was not so lucky and was forced to spectate for the rest of the race.

Despite the pit crews’ best efforts, they were unable to get Thompson’s car ready until the cars were already on the formation lap before the 12-lap feature race. In his haste to get on to the grid in time, Thompson was adjudged by the clerk of the course to have speeded in the pit lane and was black-flagged. Once again he was forced to watch the race from the sidelines.

It didn’t get any better. Mandla’s MINI came to a halt on the formation lap with a broken side shaft and he, too, was forced to sit out the race.      

“It could not have been a more disappointing weekend for a team that worked so hard to prepare two race-winning cars and score much-needed championship points in the second last race weekend of the season,” said team principal Donovan van Heerden.

“It’s been a season of unexpected set-backs, which has tested the resolve of all of us. However, this is what motor racing is all about. You have to take it on the chin and keep trying. We’ll be back for the final round with renewed enthusiasm and, as always, will be looking for nothing less than two race victories.”

Lee Thompson: “What can I say? When it’s not your day you just have to accept it and move on. We have two more races this season and all I can hope for is an untroubled final round in November when I can give something back to our sponsors and my hard-working team. They deserve much better than what they got today.”

Mandla Mdakane: “This wasn’t the way I wanted to make my Killarney debut with the team. The MINI was strong and I was looking forward to the longer feature race after getting to know the car under racing conditions in the sprint race.”   

In addition to principal sponsor Castrol, the team enjoys support from MINI John Cooper Works, EPS Courier Services, Powerbrake and Sony Playstation. In addition, ADF has secured a deal with one of the world‘s leading sponsorship and brand engagement agencies, Octagon.

The final round of the championship will be held at Zwartkops Raceway on November 1.

Ends

For media queries on MINI Motorsport, please contact:

Mr. Edward Makwana,

Manager: Group Automotive Communications

BMW Group South Africa

Email: Edward.Makwana@bmw.co.za

Tel: +27-12-522-2227

Website: http://www.mini.co.za.Facebook on www.facebook.com/TeamCastrolMini.