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TEAMS ARRIVE AT PHAKISA TO UNLOAD THE CARS FOR THE FREESTATE 500
American Speed Association PR
WELKOM, FREE STATE, SOUTH AFRICA (Thursday, January 28, 2010) - Late last night, the crew members arrived to the Welkom Inn and met up with their respective drivers. The next morning they arrived at Phakisa Freeway Circuit as containers continued to arrive. By noon, the teams started to unload their cars and pit equipment.
"All cars have arrived," Dennis Huth, ASA President announced as he was walking past the containers as very favorable weather helped the teams with sunny skies and temperatures in the high 80's.
Marc Davis and Tiff Daniels were guest on a local Welkom radio station that is at the track to help promote the Sunday, January 31, 2010 event.
Later today after the teams have completed their work, they will return to the Welkom Inn for a relaxing evening and prepare for their first opportunity at the 1.5-mile tri-oval on Friday.
John Mickels is celebrating his birthday today at Phakisa, and per his request we are not revealing his new age.
Here is the schedule for the remainder of the weekend. All times are Phakisa time.
Friday
6:00-9:30 Track Cleaning
8:00 Drivers and Teams to Track
9:00 Mandatory Drivers/ Crew Chiefs Only Meeting
9:30 Inspection opens
10:00 Practice ASATS Cars
12:30 Lunch - Miss Phakisa finalists intro - Media Meet & Greet ASATS Drivers, Owners & Crews
14:00 Practice for Others Series
Clean Track
15:00 to 16:00 Practice for ASATS Cars
17:30 Track Closed
19:00 - "Welcome to Welkom Fast Cats Party" @ Casino (Short walk from hotel - Casual - Black/white dress or 'native')
Saturday
6:00 to 9:30 Track Cleaning
8:00 Team transportation to Track
8:30 - 9:45 Pit walkabout
10:00 Open Practice
11:30 Lunch-Qualifying Tech-
12:30- 2 seater rides
13:40 ASATS qualifying-1st round qualifying (15min)
14:00 2nd round qualifying (15 min)
14:20 3rd round qualifying (15 min)
14:40 4th round qualifying (15 min)
15:15 Pit stop contest
16:00 - 17;00 Open
Garage Close (if extra practice required - extend time here)
Sunday
6:30 Track Cleaning
8:00 Teams transported to track
10:00 Practice for any 'problem cars' we have - 2 laps 1 car on track at a time. (If you use this time to practice you will start in back.)
10:30 Grid ASATS Cars (Cars will have to cross scale before going to grid.)
11:00 Mandatory Drivers/Crew Chiefs Meeting/ Spotters
11:30 Lunch
12:00 Driver's Autograph Session
12:30 Drivers to cars for opening ceremonies / 12:55 - Both National Anthems'
13:00 Green Flag ASATS 500
16:00 Other Series Race
16:00 Post race inspection and Awards (approx)
16:30 Cars/equipment start loading into containers when released.
THE SOUTH AFRICA ADVENTURE BEGINS IN SOUTH AFRICA
American Speed Association PR
Welkom, Free State, South Africa (Wednesday, January 26, 2010) - The drivers for the ASA Transcontinental Free State 500 arrived on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa after a 14 hour Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg. The American group did the 14 hour travel, John Mickel and his team had an 11 hour travel from the United Kingdom and Shaun Richardson and his team arrived early Wednesday morning from Australia.
As the sun was setting, a bus took the drivers south to The Savannah Africa where they were welcomed by ASA President Dennis Huth and Savannah/Phakisa Freeway Circuit owner Bobby Hartsley who invited all of the guests to a bonfire where refreshments and food was served.
During the gathering the group was welcomed by Jacqueline Lundquist, Chair of the Savannah Cheetah Foundation Board who gave a little insight about The Savannah and a preview of what the teams will have the opportunity to enjoy after Sunday's race.
Hartsley talked about Phakisa Freeway Circuit and the excitement that is building for the first American-style stock car oval race that will take place. He stated that advance ticket sales are going very well and the weather forecast, for now, looks very good.
Huth shared his thoughts about how well this event has come together and was excited by the group of drivers that flew over for the race.
For many drivers it was the first opportunity to get to know each other. As drivers from the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa and Australia will be participating.
After the bonfire, the group went to their respective hotels and got some much needed rest.
Wednesday morning started with light showers with the sun coming out in the afternoon with temps in the 80Ős.
On the way down, many were already talking about their stay at their respective hotels and already had some fascinating stories to share when they return home. But, an unexpected bus breakdown on the way from The Savannah to Welkom really showed that the group were taking things in stride and enjoying this opportunity to visit and race.
The funny part about the bus breakdown, and this should not be a surprise, was quickly most of the drivers got off the bus to help survey the problem and hopefully find a remedy to the problem. With the help of new friends from The Savannah and some phone calls, everyone did arrive safely at the Welkom Inn and are now enjoying dinner at some of the local restaurants.
One family enjoying dinner are motorsports fans and had the opportunity to meet 1986 Daytona 500 winner. They have their tickets for Sunday's race and are looking forward to seeing it.
As of this writing the crew members have landed in Johannesburg and are now on a bus to Welkom and just arrived at the hotel.
On Thursday morning, all of the teams will head to Phakisa and begin unloading their containers and have their cars teched. The track will on Friday for practice with qualifying on Saturday. The Free State 500 will take place on Sunday at 1 p.m. local time.
One other note to pass along, last week the ASA shared a story about Midgley Motorsports cars may arrive late after a delay at one of its ports. We are happy to announce that his container is scheduled to arrive at Phakisa on Wednesday night.
The adventure has just begun. Still to come...unloading the cars, practice, qualifying, the Free State 500, a relaxing day at The Savannah and the return to our respective homes on Tuesday.
Tickets for the four days of action can be obtained from Computicket outlets countrywide or go to www.computicket.com. Prices range from R20.00 on Thursday to R 330.00 on Sunday. Spectacular discounts for Saturday/Sunday tickets are available. All tickets include a 90 minute Pit Walkabout on all days.
For more information about the Free State 500, please visit www.phakisa.com or www.freestate500.com.
To learn more of the Daytona Beach, Fla.-based American Speed Association call (386) 258-2221 or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com. For news and information from all the racetracks and regional tours involved in the ASA, visit www.ASA-Racing.com.
ASA¨, ASA Racing¨, and American Speed Association¨ are registered trademarks of Racing Speed Associates, LLC. ASA International, LLC and Racing Speed Associates, LLC are not related to or affiliated with ASA Late Model Series, LLC.
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