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MotoRED day of high performance fun
29 May 2010
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Arriving at race circuits early in the morning always develops a certain amount of trepidation in one's mind. Looking around the surrounding motorsport amphitheatre your vision immediately focuses on the RED and white corner kerbs which are scatteRED with chunks of racing rubber, while the early morning mist settles on the undisturbed weeds and bits of grass that make up the run off areas of the track. This creates a mood of expectation and uncertainty among those who congregate in the pit lane, viewing the incREDible race machinery that will escort them around the 2.5 km Zwartkops Raceway.
First timers will always convey a nervous laugh as they wonder what is install for them. Seasoned passengers will always over exaggerate about what takes place in the cockpit; they are normally the ones who run to the nearest ablution facility after their ride, later commenting that they perhaps drank too much coffee. Whatever the case, it was time to get fiRED up and enjoy some magnificent race cars in an environment where their talents are best portrayed.
The occasion was to celebrate Etana Insurance's association with motoring scribe, and now race driver Thomas Falkiner. Thomas is a writer for The Times magazine, who recently held a competition for ten readers's to stand a chance of winning a ride around a race track in his stunning Ford Mustang race car. Prospective sponsors were also invited, as the track day aimed to promote the Zwartkops, Etana Insurance Legends of the 9-hour event taking place on the 29th of May.
A wide variety of race cars were available to entertain attendees of the event, with three lucky winners having the rare opportunity to win a ride in a Ferrari 250 GTM SWB race car, driven by Etana's Paolo Cavalieri. A crowd favorite at many historic events, as it was driven by a legend and was a championship winner, is the mighty RED Tony Viana poweRED BMW 745i Group One race car also driven by Cavalieri. Thomas's Mustang got pulses raised as it was fiRED up for the first time that morning. A replica Chevrolet Chevelle, showcasing the 'Smokey Joe's Best Dam Garage in Town' livery, attracted a lot of attention, however if you wanted a ride you had to wedge yourself between the roll cage as there was no passenger seat.
Situations like this are what petrol heads excel on, it's the perfect ice-breaker for those conversations that may not appear to be all that enlightening. But this is what motorsport is all about, experiencing the power and sound of the cars, the speeds with which they can approach and take corners, and the amazing braking ability these racers when scrubbing off momentum. The experience is completely different, concentrated exhilarating fun, which never ceases to end until you reach the pit lane and jump out for the next vulnerable victim to strap up for a roller-coaster experience.
As the day drew to a close, guests were awarded some poweRED prizes, and a certificate to reminisce the motoRED joy they experienced during the course of the event. As the car's ticked over, resting and waiting to be transported back to their respective workshops, the stories of the day's events, among guests, began. Everyone either shaRED a similar situation to another, or someone simply drank too much coffee and had to explain why they hastily ran to the nearest rest room after their ride.
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PoweRED Etana Insurance Race Day at Zwartkops Raceway
29 May 2010
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Etana Insurance made it known to all who competed in races and visited the Zwartkops Race way on the 29th of May, that the company is a serious competitor in a fast paced environment.
Etana's association with motorsport is a perfect match. The company is very passionate about working with brokers and providing clients with the best insurance policies. Etana always appreciates attention to detail, ensuring all situations have been thought through and all bases are coveRED. Like in motorsport a driver's ability to take corners and tight bends at the fastest speed is one way to challenge for victory. Etanans all have the ability to operate at a superior, yet effective, pace, even when challenged with toughest challenges.
The race day on the 29th of May was a celebration on Etana's behalf, due to the poweRED Etana Legends of the 9 Hour Event that the company is sponsoring. A strong field of magnificent muscle cars and diminutive touring cars all took to the track at the same time to put on an incREDible show. Etana Insurance guests were treated to refreshments and food at the company's very own hospitality facility, known as the Etana Penthouse.
This was a great opportunity for Etanans, and their family members, to mingle and mix with well known names like South African rowing champion Ramon Di Clemente. Paul Rotherham, from 94.7 Highveld stereo, was competing on the day, along with poweRED names like Etana supported drivers Jaki Scheckter and Thomas Falkiner. Not to forget the two ladies who attracted the most attention on the day, at the Etana Insurance Penthouse and around the pit lane.
Everyone enjoyed the thrills and spills of the motorsport activity showcased on the track, while numerous grins were recognized and appreciated when Simone and Kylie, Etana Grid Girls, posed with Etana guests, race drivers and fans for a picture.
The day was a blast and a great curtain raiser to the incREDible Super 14 Final at Orlando Stadium. What a pleasure, MotoREDtainment during the day, fantastic all South African rugby in the evening, what more could one ask for?
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Pedal to the metal: the Porsche 924 Club Challenge
25 March 2010
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Photo courtesy of Motorpics Etana Insurance and Pablo Clark Racing-sponsored Porsche 924
By Bruce Ceprnich.
The Altech Porsche 924 Club Challenge provided some close and interesting racing at Gauteng's Zwartkops Raceway on 20 March, with unexpected winners taking victory.
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Reigning champion Paul Moss blitzed through the field in the first race. Though he clocked up some impressive lap times, Moss broke out of his nominated lap time and was thus disqualified. This opened the way for equally fast Dawie Theron to take victory from Melt Malan, with Ron Harmse completing the podium places. Andrea Cavalieri, making a return to this form of racing, took fourth from Ingo Meyer and Dave Parratt.
In the second race, Malan went one better, beating Mark Harvey and Dave Parratt to the top step of the podium. Ingo Meyer finished a credible fourth, ahead of Colin Maine and Paul Moss.
The next round of the Altech 924 Club Challenge will take place on 17 April at the Killarney circuit in the Western Cape.
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ThoroughbRED precision and excellence wins Concourse Event
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The beautiful Piazza at Monte Casino, which plays host to the annual SEFAC show day, was brought to life by the sound and sight of thirty gorgeous Ferrari's, all of different years and representing a variety of model formats, being put on display by their very proud owners.
The morning was welcomed by blissful sunlight, many staying at the Sun Square hotel, which overlooks the Piazza, were snuggled in their beds dreaming about the wonderful buffet breakfast to be served. However these thoughts were to be diverted when the glorious sound of a V12 Ferrari race engine barked and growled, as the car trundled into the square to find its allocated show day parking space.
What a sight the many guests had when they nervously peered out their windows for a better look of the commotion taking place below them. A color contrast of RED, yellow, silver, black and blue met their eyes.
Blue is not a color combination linked to the Ferrari brand, or one would choose when buying an Italian exotic. However this Ferrari 250 GTM SWB (Short Wheel Base) is a very special and rare example. Due to the fact that it still competes on South Africa's local race circuits in historic racing championships, and wins, it remains in pristine condition, a true testament to owner and driver of the car, Etana Insurance Chairman Paolo Cavalieri.
When not behind his desk dealing with business insurance issues with Etana's brokers, Paolo is at the race track with his Pablo Clark Racing team. Two cars make up the team's stable, both are prepared by Evolution 2 Motorsport, the second car is a BMW, Paolo's second favorite car brand.
Judges of the SEFAC club go over a vigorous list of requirements that Ferrari's, taking part in the concourse, require. Competing in the 'Mille Miglia' category, specifically for Ferrari race machines, the blue Rob Walker liveRED 250 GTM SWB walked away with category victory. A proud moment for the Pablo Clark Racing team, as they added another concourse victory to the trophy they won last year.
Suffice to say that the poweRED blue Ferrari 250 GTM SWB is a thoroughbRED racing example of the Italian brand. Although a concourse winner, and a beautiful car to look at, this car is best viewed on the race track in full flight, screaming to an incREDible 9000 rpm. Some things in life leave you flabbergasted; the sound of pure Italian passion is unforgettable. While the color may not represent standard requirements, the blue and white 250 GTM SWB leaves an everlasting impression, making it an icon when on display, or when taking the chequRED flag.
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Etana shines the spotlight on racing precision legends
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Etana Insurance will be sponsoring the spotlight that will be shining on motoring legends in 2010 in the Etana Legends of the 9-Hour Race as well as the entire Legends Series with its historic tour around Gauteng, Phakisa and Midvaal.
The Etana Legends of the 9-Hour Race will run at Zwartkops, East London and Cape Town during 2010 … starting at Zwartkops on January 30th.
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“The Etana Legends of the 9-Hour Race and Legends Series will give fans the chance to see South African legend, Supervan (Sarel van der Merwe) return to revved up action in an exciting year of racing as the greats and legends gather and give motoring fans a memorable trip down memory lane,” says Carel Nolte, head of people and brand at Etana.
“A fabulous bonus will be that Sarel will also be driving his almost equally famous Galaxie from the good old days, an additional pleasure trip for fans.
“As a company, Etana is a passionate supporter of precision and doing business insurance differently so in addition the race celebrating the best of the best we are also sponsoring the vehicle that celebrates ‘difference’ in a big way. This is the recreation of the actual Chevrolet Chevelle, built by the uniquely talented firebrand, Smokey Yunick and raced by Curtis Turner in 1976 at Daytona.
“This is an opportunity for South African fans around the country to see this famous piece of engineering in action, built in the heydays of NASCAR, and driven here by well-known South African driver Paolo Cavalieri, who also happens to be the Chairman of Etana Insurance and a legendary leader in the insurance industry. Cavalieri’s great admiration for superior vehicle design shows in his respect for Alex Issigonis, designer of the legendary Mini. The Mini is Cavalieri’s choice of personal transport.”
Don’t miss the Etana Legends of the 9-Hour Race at 10h40 and 15h20 at Zwartkops and stick around for the prize giving to see who carries off the Etana-sponsored trophy for the Man of the Day and Driver of the Day at each event.
More event information, podcasts of legends, pictures of vehicles inside and out and information of the events as they happen can be accessed on www.etana.co.za.
“We will be posting pictures of the events and the phenomenal Chevrolet Chevelle, inside and outside the car and the engine, on our website for fanatical fans to get a close up look at every nut and bolt of this historic car,” says Nolte.
Ends
January 18 2010
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