Videos: Supercharged V6 on song in the Audi S4

By Johan Laubscher

Few things in this world sounds as good as a roaring V6. The Audi S4 has a tremendous supercharged 3.0 V6 and these types of Audis are being raced in two countries in the world, one in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern hemisphere.

APR Motorsport in North America were the first to develop a Audi S4 B8 race car, which debuted in the Continental Tire Sports Cars Challenge during 2010. 

A year later and the S4 model also debuted on race tracks in South Africa, and went on to win the 2011 and 2012 South African Bridgestone Production Car Championships. In total four Audi S4 cars compete in South Africa and one so far in America.

The cars are beautiful and sound even better. Here are two onboard videos from which to sample the sounds of that glorious V6, one from APR and the other from South Africa.

More information: 

APR website

Gennaro Bonafede FB page

Audi Motorsport South Africa FB page

APR Motorsport Audi S4 - Road Atlanta 2011 - Ian Baas

South African Ferodo Audi S4 - Kyalami 2012 - Gennaro Bonafede

Photos by GoAPR.com and Audi Motorsport Blog. 

Saving the best for last! - Gennaro Bonafede S4

Gennaro Bonafede Press Release

Twenty two year old Gennaro Bonafede enjoyed a fairytale ending to the season and in so doing became the youngest driver to win a Bridgestone Production Car race outright.

Driving the Ferodo supported Audi S4 Quattro, Bonafede endured a race meeting of extremes. A problem with the motor on Friday saw the team fit a new engine overnight which meant the Pretoria University student went into qualifying in a car that was pretty much an unknown quantity. “I’ve raced on this track in the class T Golf, but the class A Audi is so much faster it is in a different league altogether. It is such a pity we had the problem yesterday, so I’ll just take the day as it comes,” commented the professional Monster Energy athlete.

Qualifying saw Bonafede set the seventh fastest time and a workmanlike performance in the opening sprint race saw him come home in fifth place after a hard and often bruising race. More importantly, he’d been easy on the car in order to look after tyres as cars are not allowed into the pits for repairs between races. Unfortunately the car would not run properly and by the time the team had traced the problem to a fuel pump, it was too late for him to make the race.

With clouds building-up steadily as the afternoon wore on Bonafede was hoping for rain. “I love racing in the rain,” he remarked as he mentioned that the forecasts had predicted rain almost all day.

His quiet rain dance must’ve worked as it started raining shortly before the final race. However, thanks not having a result from race two he started the final race as last of the Class A runners. It was a challenge he relished!

By the end of the opening lap he was up to fourth place and a lap later he was closing on the leaders. It didn’t take long before he was embroiled in a great battle with former South African champions Hennie Groenewald (Subaru) and Tschops Sipuka (Audi). His axing of Sipuka was swift and a lap later he was glued to the Subaru’s exhaust.

Starting the final lap he was able to challenge for the lead before making the move stick at turn three. He was in scintillating form and quickly pulled away to claim a memorable win in teeming conditions. “I can’t believe it. I took different lines to find the grippy part of the track and Audi’s Quattro four-wheel drive system gave me huge confidence. It’s remarkable how much grip there is in the wet but it was a tough race and I was on the limit all the time. Everyone in the team from Ronnie Erasmus, Brandon More, Michael Fiess and Vic Maharaj all played vital roles. Thanks guys!!” he enthused.

Ferodo’s marketing guru Ronnie Erasmus was equally happy with the performance. “A win in the last race of the year was the perfect end to a very successful championship winning season for Ferodo.”

Article and Pic by Steve Wicks

Gallery: Final SA Production Car round at Kyalami

By Johan Laubscher

The final round of the 2012 Bridgestone Production Cars was held at Kyalami. This was the first South African National event held at Kyalami in almost two years and marked the Kyalami debut for the Audi S4 race cars. Michael Stephen, the reigning Class A champion, had already sealed the 2012 title at the previous round held at Killarney. The highlights of the day included a podium for Stephen in race two, followed by a sensational race three for the newest Audi driver. Shortly before race three the heavens opened and the race was officially under quattro weather conditions. Sipuka and Bonafede rocketed to the front and battled with the leading Subaru. Gennaro was on a mission and monstered his way past the Subaru and went on to win after starting from last. This was the young rookie’s debut win in Class A and the Audi S4. 

Photos by the Audi Motorsport in South Africa Facebook Page

More photos can be seen HERE.

More information:

Audi Motorsport in South Africa

Quattro history fascinates Bonafede

Gennaro Bonafede Press Release

Gennaro Bonafede is the latest driver to turn to Audi Quattro for motorsport success. The 22-year old Pretoria University student and official Monster Energy athlete will be making his third appearance at the wheel of the Ferodo backed Audi S4 at the final round of the Bridgestone Production Car championship at Kyalami on 27 October.

At the last round in Cape Town Bonafede ran as high as second and felt he was in with a chance of a podium finish but a rare driver error saw him run off the track in race two and in the final race of the day he was an innocent victim of a first lap crash. “It was just not being used to the pedal layout and it caught me out in the heat of the moment. But I was happy with my pace. We have moved the brake pedal to suit my feet, I’m looking forward to ending the season on a high note,” enthused Bonafede who has been enthralled by the Audi Quattro since he was a small child.

“When I was younger we used to watch videos of old racing and Terry Moss in those Rothman's Audi's which cleaned up.” When he hears the word ‘Quattro’ he automatically smiles. “I think of the old rally car that my dad used to compete against! The noise that the dump valves used to make on those Quattro rally cars and the awesome ability it has from a standing start. That was a bit before my time, but I have heard so much about them.”

In 1980 Audi turned the motorsport world on its head. The Audi Quattro caused quite a stir when it was first seen on a motorsport event. It was used in 1980 on the Portuguese leg of the European Rally as an official car to pre run special stages - the ‘zero car’ in rally-speak. According to unofficial timing it would have won the event.

Finnish driver Hannu Mikkola gave the Audi Quattro its first World Rally Championship victory at the Swedish Rally of 1981. In South Africa the Audi Quattro dominated the rally scene in the hands of Sarel van der Merwe with Serge Damsaux and navigator Vito Bonafede providing the opposition in a locally developed Toyota Conquest.

When the company turned its attention to circuit racing and it didn’t take long before the SCCA Trans Am championship winning cars came to South Africa. The Wesbank Modified series provided more success for Audi with vd Merwe winning the title in 1989 and Terry Moss taking it in 1991, 92 and 93. With the advent of Touring Cars in 1995, the Audi team of Moss and Chris Aberdein kept fans enthralled and Moss claimed the Touring Car crown in 1996.

In recent years Audi has won the Production Car championship on numerous occasions and young Bonafede hopes to add his name to the illustrious list.

Article and pic by Steve Wicks

Bonafede’s accelerated learning curve - Audi S4

Gennaro Bonafede Press Release

Rising star Gennaro Bonafede’s learning curve in class A of the ultra competitive Bridgestone Production Car championship continued at Cape Town’s picturesque Killarney circuit.

Having started the year racing in class T in the Ferodo liveried Volkswagen Golf 6 GTI, the initial plan was to move up to class A in 2013. When the ex Johan Fourie Audi S4 was acquired in August the team was encouraged by testing but also realised how different the two cars were. After careful consideration, Bonafede and race engineer Vic Maharaj decided there was nothing to lose by abandoning his championship hopes in favour of class A. The fact that Melvill Priest’s Audi is also prepared by the VMP team made the decision a bit easier.

“The cars require such different driving techniques and testing the Audi between racing the Golf would not have achieved the desired results. We gave it a lot of thought, but in the end realised the only way forward was to concentrate on the Audi. It’s a pity as I was winning races in the Golf, but I’m sure it was the right decision,” said the lanky Bonafede who is an official Monster Energy athlete.

At Killarney an engine problem put paid to Friday’s practice so set-up for Saturday’s qualifying was pretty much a guess and he was only ninth fastest. Nevertheless his confidence for the opening race was high, but as cars assembled on the grid, the heavens opened.

Bonafede rose to the occasion with a mature performance that belied his age and came home fourth. “Considering we only had 5 laps of practice on the Friday in a new car around that circuit. The fact that we were right at the front and in the mix in the rain is a big positive for me, I felt I could've challenged the Audi's in front of me but didn't want to risk being ‘that guy who took out the championship leader’; that would not have been cool.”

In race two he was holding third place when an unusual problem reared its head. The 22-year old has size 12 feet and under braking for turn 1 on lap six he managed to press both brake and accelerator at the same time and he slithered off into the wall and dropped to eighth. “It was completely my fault… Under pressure I made a crucial mistake. The pedals are pretty close to each other and there’s little margin for error.  Vic Maharaj mentioned they definitely have to re-position the pedals before the next race.”

Race three was brief as he was caught up in opening lap pile-up at turn two. “From where I was it looked like Etienne Van der Linde went in too hot and collided with Tschops Sipuka. As I was behind Etienne, I didn't really have anywhere to go and with the speed I was coming in I had no chance of missing Tschops. It was unfortunate because I think our set-up would have resulted in good pace in that race,  possibly enough to secure a 3rd overall for the day. I will learn from all of this and take it as another step on the flight of stairs to the top.”

The final round of the Bridgestone Production Car championship takes place at the Wesbank Super Series event at Kyalami on 27th October.

Pic and Article by Steve Wicks

Gennaro Bonafede's fresh challenge! - Audi S4 in SA

Gennaro Bonafede Press Release

Bridgestone Production Cars – Round 8 – Killarney – 22 September

Following what can only be described as an encouraging maiden outing behind the wheel of the Ferodo Audi S4 at Zwartkops last month, Gennaro Bonafede can’t wait to sample the four wheel drive handling at Killarney.

Zwartkops was a baptism of fire for the almost 22-year old as he held his own in a rather aggressive midfield pack. Unfortunately rear suspension damage saw him miss the second race and then a front suspension failure saw him crash out of the third race.

Moving from class A to class T requires a whole new approach to driving as Bonafede explains.

“The driving style is completely different in the Audi. With the front wheel drive Golf it was mainly about carrying corner speed with a wider turn in and coming out the corner as narrow as possible and being very careful about putting on the power with wheel spin being the limiting factor.

“In the Audi it is all about getting the car stopped on the apex and getting straight back onto the power as early as possible, allowing the Quattro system do the rest of the work. With the car being heavier, braking is much more important. Braking a few meters earlier can cost you a lot of time. I think the main areas where the Audi is quicker than the Golf is under braking and then acceleration out the corner.”

A car’s potential maximum speed is seldom achieved on a race track as the straights are simply too short which means on a track like Zwartkops the top speeds aren't very different.

Bonafede has given Killarney a lot of thought. “We will see a big difference in times from the Class A to the Class T due to the long sweeping corners and two fairly long straights. Getting on the power was always an issue down in Cape Town in the Golf but with the Audi I’m sure it will be much better.

“I can't wait to go down there!!”

Brandon More is the team’s data analyst and he agrees with his driver. “With regard to the data, everything that G brought up is quite evident. The apex speed of the Golf and Audi are very similar but the Audi's Quattro system helps it accelerate much faster.

“For example, coming out of Turn 2 at Zwartkops, the Audi accelerates from 55kph to 155kph over a second faster than the Golf. On the brakes into Turn 2, the Audi decelerates 0.5 of a second faster from 155kph to 55kph compared to the Golf.”

Besides the Audi being left hand drive, it might not look as though there is a different technique for each type of car, but when the straight talking Bonafede says the two are very different, he means it.

Article and photos by Steve Wicks

More information:

Gennaro Bonafede website

Gennaro Bonafede FB page

VMP Motorsport website

VMP Motorsport FB page

Ferodo Racing FB page
Audi South Africa FB page

Exciting new beginnings for Bonafede! - Audi S4 in SA

Gennaro Bonafede Press Release

After almost three seasons in the thick of battle at the sharp end of the Bridgestone Production Car class T championship, 21-year old Gennaro Bonafede will be stepping up to the challenge of class A.

He bows out of class T on a high note after driving the Ferodo backed Volkswagen Golf 6 GTI to a win at Phakisa earlier this month and currently holds third in the championship fight.

He makes his debut in class A at the wheel of the Audi S4 that was raced earlier this year by Johan Fourie. The car will appear in an exciting new Ferodo livery and is being prepared by Vic Maharaj’s VMP Motorsport concern in Randburg which also prepares the Audi raced by Melvill Priest, and drivers will share data, ideas and resources.

Initial testing of the Audi was encouraging and it didn’t take long to make the decision to race the Audi. “I’ve only done a couple of tests, but we decided to grab the bull by the horns and race the car. Basically we will treat the remainder of the season as extended tests under race conditions. There’s no better way of getting used to a car than by racing it,” said a very enthusiastic Bonafede at a Zwartkops test.

“This way we will get some seat time under race conditions so we are in a position to start 2013 with a much better understanding of the car and in a position to race for wins.”

As for his prospects, Bonafede, an official Monster Energy athlete, was at pains to point out how different the driving styles are. “The brakes are very, very good. Power feels quite similar but the Quattro system is just amazing. Its insane how quickly it accelerates out of the corners. Even the lines you take in corners are different in the Audi compared to the front wheel drive Golf.”

There’s no doubt that Bonafede’s progress in the Ferodo Audi S4 will be watched very closely by rival Audi drivers, but as Maharaj pointed out, “it is his first race in the car and we aren’t looking for results. It is really a case of getting a feel for the car and technique required to get the best out of it.”

Article and photos by Steve Wicks

More information:

Gennaro Bonafede website

Gennaro Bonafede FB page

VMP Motorsport website

VMP Motorsport FB page

Ferodo Racing FB page
Audi South Africa FB page

A young new star driving the Audi S4 in South Africa

By Johan Laubscher

Gennaro Bonafede

The latest news from South Africa is that a young star will soon be on track behind the wheel of an Audi S4. Gennaro Bonafede has made a name for himself on the South African motorsport scene. After moving through the formulas he debuted in the Bridgestone Production Cars in 2010. He made his debut in Class T for turbocharged cars such as the Golf GTI and the Ford Focus ST, amongst others. Armed with his Ferodo Golf GTI he finished runner up in his debut season, firmly establishing himself as a front runner in the series.  

Johan Fourie Racing A4

Some sad news had emerged from the sport during the week running up to round six of the Production Car series at Phakisa. The multiple championship winning team, Johan Fourie Racing announced that the team would be closing its doors. It was a tremendous loss to the series and South African motorsport as a whole. The news also meant that the team’s Audi S4 had become available to prospective teams. It did not take long for another team to purchase the Audi S4 and to prepare an entry into class A.

Gennaro Bonafede Ferodo Golf 6 GTI

The fact surrounding the acquisition of the S4 became known shortly after the Johan Fourie Racing news, but which team it was had not yet been announced. Rumours began circulating and finally the announcement was made. Gennaro Bonafede will be driving the Audi S4 in Ferodo colours run by VMP Motorsport. The move was initiated by Audi South Africa expressing a keen interest in seeing Gennaro racing the Audi S4. This is very exciting news for the series and fans alike. The VMP team are already running an Audi S4 in Class A for Melvil Priest and Gennaro’s Golf 6 GTI in Class T. The team is delighted to add another Audi S4 for their young star driver.

With Gennaro Bonafede success in Class T it was inevitable that he would move to Class A. It seems natural for him to step up to an Audi after his successes with its sister brand Volkswagen. The Ferodo Audi S4 once again raises the Audi S4 count to four in the series. Audi fans will be very excited as young new talent will represent the brand in Class A along with the other Audi S4 drivers.

We wish the best of luck and success to Gennaro and VMP with their new adventure in Class A, armed with the Ferodo Audi S4.

More information:

Gennaro Bonafede website

Gennaro Bonafede FB page

VMP Motorsport website

VMP Motorsport FB page

Ferodo Racing FB page
Audi South Africa FB page

Photos by Steve Wicks and www.motorpics.co.za