Racing Team Ukraine and their Ford Fiesta
2008-05-27The Ukrainian team comprising Andriy Kruhlyk, Oleksiy Molchanov, Oleksandr Saliuk and Volodymyr Kondratenko for the first time took part in one of the most prestigious car endurance racing events – 24 Hours Nьrburgring.
The race took place on May 24-25. The team’s car was Ford Fiesta.
“I am overjoyed that Racing Team Ukraine brought together people who really are the team, and not just four pilots who gathered just to drive - together and in turns. This was very noticeable when we went to test drives, when we gathered to take part in 4-hour races”, Oleksiy Molchanov reveals at the press conference the team held in order to announce their participation.
Andriy Kruhlyk who celebrated his victory at the 24 Hours last year – albeit as a member of the German team – added, “I would like our country to be noticed not only as a home country of Klitschko and Shevchenko, but as a home country of other athletes, too. Sports, generally, are the most realistic, the fastest way of gaining recognition for our country… We’ll try not to let you down and we’ll strive to make people remember the first Ukrainian team that took part in Nьrburgring by holding our banner high.”
Among other similar races, the Nьrburgring marathon, which was introduced in 1970, is distinguished by its high number of participants. In 2008 there were 230 cars on the application list (the maximum number the 26-km track can hold) and 70 cars more on the waiting list. The race began at 3 p. m. (Kyiv time) and lasted 24 hours precisely. The Ukrainian team participated in one of the most prestigious classes – SP2 (12-13 cars compete in this group). Our pilots drove the customized Ford Fiesta powered by 1.6 173PS engine.
The racers in turns spent every 2 hours on the track The car made pit stops for refuelling and, when necessary, for changing tyres and brake pads. The Ford’s top speed is 230 kph. Buy the way, 222 cars took part in the race and most of them were much more powerful than the Ford Fiesta of the Ukrainian team.
We at Winner Imports Ukraine, Ltd., the official importer of Ford in Ukraine, offer our sincere congratulations to Racing Team Ukraine and wish them to return with “gold” next year!
