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The Super Series heads to the Free State for round five of the 2014 season. Here, the Engen Xtreme team will contest the Bridgestone Production Car Championship at Phakisa Freeway on Saturday, 2 August.  The event makes the start of the second half of the season, with the Engen Xtreme racers a strong presence in the championship battle. For the defending champion, Michael Stephen (A1) the Phakisa event sees him start with a two point deficit in the series. The series rules dictate that the championship leader starts at the back of the grid in the double-point feature race so a small points gap can translate into a big advantage for Stephen. For Stephen though, the big race might not be taking place at Phakisa. The three-time Bridgestone Production Car champion is about to become a first-time father – with his wife Tracy-Leigh’s due date on 3 August. Since babies have a reputation for being unpredictable, Stephen has indicated there are “plans in place” should he need to get home in time. The Phakisa layout will favour the Engen Xtreme team’s rivals but as the team has proved this year, the potential advantage that exists does not automatically translate into an advantage over the Engen Xtreme team. Good preparation and planning has seen the team consistently on the podium and amongst the leaders – with the Phakisa results expected to be no different. For Stephen’s teammate, Simon Moss (A38), the Phakisa event sees him in competition after his two strongest rounds this year. At both the Aldo Scribante Raceway and East London Grand Prix circuit events Moss produced good results – his best this year – and is on pace for another good showing in the Free State. Moss has been making good progress in his first year behind the wheel of the Audi S4 quattro and is working his way up the order as he becomes better acquainted with the car. The second half of the season has the potential to see him producing even better results as he fights for his first race victory. With a second-place finish already on his list of achievements, he will be keen for his first chequered flag result. Two races wait on the Engen Xtreme team when they arrive at Phakisa, two more opportunities to show why the team remains such a strong presence in the Bridgestone Production Car Championship – and the chance to score more points as the team works to another championship title in this series. |
