22/02/2007
NEWS STORY
For round eight of the A1GP A1 Team Netherlands has returned to the streets of the South African city of Durban, where last year it managed to clinch their maiden victory in spectacular fashion.
The narrow and fast street circuit, right through the centre of the South African beach resort will, just like last year, guarantee a lot of action and excitement and will the race will be run in front of packed grandstands.
Of course A1 Team Netherlands have got some good memories of the street circuit on which it was close to winning the Sprintrace. In the Feature race they did succeed. The team will do everything to at least match this result or even surpass it. Earlier this season A1 Team Netherlands already showed that it could well cope with a narrow street circuit, with a pole position and a win in Beijing.
A1 Team Netherlands driver Jeroen Bleekemolen has travelled to Durban with one main goal in mind; "I have gotten on the plane to win here. With a second or third place I will also be happy, but I really do come here to clinch victory. This is a race where we do have a very real chance of winning. Last year we won here with a car that might not have been the fastest one, but we were fast and in Beijing we have shown that we were the fastest outright, all through the weekend. This track is similar. We have to be running in front here," said Jeroen who traveled to Durban on Sunday. "The safari was a really nice experience. When you go to Africa and get the opportunity to do this it is a fantastic way to see some of the country and also the perfect preparation. We did a lot of fun things and saw a lot and it was very relaxed."
A1 Team Netherlands Rookie Renger van der Zande also wants to finish upfront in his session tomorrow; "I am very much looking forward to this. I have just had a look at the track and it is looking good and well organized. We should be able to get a lot more driving done here compared to the last street race in Beijing. I think it will be fun. As far as driving is concerned, a street circuit always is a bit of a lottery, you never know what might happen next. I do think that I will be able to do my thing and get a good performance. I finished third twice already, now I want to finish on top."