Orr's fourth in race two a highlight for SAM Racing in PE
It was a case of so near and yet so far for SAM Racing in the eighth round of the Formula Volkswagen Challenge at Port Elizabeth’s Aldo Scribante Raceway on Saturday.
Good qualifying performances by Wesleigh Orr (Global Consulting Solutions/SAM Racing VW) and Paolo da Cunha (Tubular/SAM Racing VW) on Friday saw Orr fourth fastest and just less than two tenths off Gavin Cronje’s pole-winning lap. Despite not being entirely happy with the set-up of his car, Da Cunha did well to qualify eighth for a place on the fourth row of the 7 row grid for Saturday’s first race.
A close battle for overall honours was anticipated after the first four cars on the grid were separated by just 0,16 sec. Orr’s challenge sadly evaporated when he and Michael Stephen made contact in the final corner of the opening lap of the first race while engaged in a fierce battle for third place. The incident resulted in a broken front wing, which upset the balance and down force of the Global Consulting Solutions car, preventing Orr from maintaining his pace. Although his single seater racing experience helped him to hold off the chasing pack for several laps, he was forced to drop back and finally finished 11th after only completing 13 of the scheduled 15 laps.
Da Cunha had an uneventful race and took the chequered flag in seventh place, one better than his starting position.
Orr’s performance in race two was an indication of what might have been in the earlier race. Despite losing a couple of places when he went wide on the marbles in Bridgestone Sweep trying to pass Cris Morgado for third position on the opening lap – he crossed the start/finish line in eighth place – he quickly worked his way up to sixth on lap four, fifth on lap eight and was in fourth on lap 10. He recorded the second fastest lap of the race on lap 13 while trying hard to haul in third-placed Cristiano Morgado, but the deficit was too much in the time available and he had to settle for a strong fourth place.
Da Cunha, who continues to impress with his pace, had a steady drive in race 2 and was awarded seventh overall for the day with Orr, hampered by his race one set-back, in an unfamiliar 10th overall.
“Video footage available from both Wesleigh’s in car camera’s illustrates his sheer determination with a “not so good” handling car after the wheel alignment was rearranged in his off track excursion on the first lap. We are really satisfied that our pace seems to improve with every event and our illusive first win is edging ever closer”, commented Lee Philips, SAM Racing Team Principal.
SAM Racing would like to acknowledge and thank sponsors for their continued support, namely:
Tubular Technical Construction
Exa Motor Group
Global Consulting Solutions
Imperial Chauffeur Drive
Ferodo
Exa Platinum Rentals
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