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| Big
Four Preview |
Broadcast
date : 17th September 2006 |
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The Futurefin Big 4
Shootout brings the kingpins of the motorised universe
together in a unique event.
The Subaru Impreza Sti that Peter Lindenberg will be driving
is known as the test mule that’s being used for development
for his up-coming season in Production Car racing, in 2007.
The event is scheduled to run from Friday the 22nd of
September to Monday the 25th. Racing starts at the Phakisa GP
track in Welkom, moves through to Wesbank Raceway on Saturday,
the Midvaal track near Meyerton on Sunday and rounds off with
some tight stuff at Zwartkops near Pretoria on Monday, a
public holiday.
While cars like the Nissan 350Z can spring a surprise with the
right driver at the wheel, one of the undoubted favourites has
to be the Ferrari 360 Challenge, a full-on race version of the
famous Ferrari supercar.
Owned by Andrea Taurino, this car is a super lightweight,
super powerful factory-built car, and Andrea uses it to teach
Ferrari drivers… and would-be Ferrari drivers… how to cope
with 294 kW and zero to 100 in 3,9 seconds!
It has Ferrari F1 paddle shift transmission, plenty of
weight-reducing carbon fibre bodywork, and it’s driven by
men with hair on their chest.
And gorgeous-looking women, like former Miss South Africa
Claudia Henkel, who is now known as the Face of Futurefin.
A
hot car at the head of a pack of hot cars.
But can the babe
behind the wheel give it some serious pedal?
Hmm, not bad
Claudia! Seems like having a Porsche as a company car has
upped your game!
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One of the most beautiful Ferraris Andrea owns has to be
the F430.
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But Lamborghini fans will fiercely argue the point, which is
what’s going to make the Lambo Gallardo presence at the
Futurefin Big 4 so much more fun!
Marius demonstrated the Gallardo’s prowess on the skid pan,
as one of the Big 4 events will be a gymkhana.
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The Big 4 question is… will the Bentley Continental GT make
it to the track on September the 22nd?
It’s been a long time
since Bentley showed its metal in South African competition,
even though the Bentley-South African connection goes way
back.
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As for Lotus, the marque has always enjoyed a strong emotional
bond in South Africa, ever since the great Jim Clark won the
SA Grand Prix in 1965.
The Lotus Exige is tailor-made for events like the Big 4, with
its fantastic power-to-weight ratio.
Organiser Wayne Fisher
says there will be specialist Lotus drivers from Britain
taking part in the event.
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The bike contingent will include the latest Honda Fireblades,
Kawasaki ZX120’s and Suzuki GSXR’s.
On the track, the guys who will be in for a chance with the
Big 4 will be those with some track experience.
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Wesbank Raceway, where this preview was shot, takes more than
a little learning due to its succession of hair-pin bends,
which require a late entry point that few get right. Most
drivers turn in early and run out of road on the exit.
We can’t wait for the action this coming weekend. Car Torque
will be there to bring you the action in the coming weeks.
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