story by: Peter Burroughes Communications 28 July 2010

Grant van Schalkwyk succeeds Lee Philips at SAM Racing

Grant van Schalkwyk has taken over the reigns at SAM Racing following the announcement that former team principal Lee Philips is relocating to Mauritius to run a new family business venture.
 
Van Schalkwyk, 42, brings to the team that Philips formed in 1999 a wealth of motor racing experience both as a versatile racing driver and a builder and preparer of racing cars in a career that spans 26 years.  During this time he has won four national championships, three in production cars and one in WesBank V8s.  He has also raced Barber SAAB single seaters in the United States and is the only South African to have competed in the NASCAR Late Model series for American stock cars, where he achieved three top 10 finishes in eight outings.
 
“I can think of no-one better qualified to run the team and take it to the next level,” said Philips.  “Grant’s motor racing pedigree is superb.  He is the son of legendary race car builder and preparer Okkie and has been involved in motor racing all his adult life.  As an experienced and successful driver as well as car builder and preparer, he is well qualified to oversee the team’s build and technical development programme while at the same time developing the drivers’ skills.
 
“He will take charge of the team’s involvement in both the Bridgestone Production Car Championship and the Altech GT Challenge and will oversee the building and development of the team’s much anticipated new Nissan 370Zs,” said Philips.
 
Van Schalkwyk is relishing the challenge of running a national championship team.  “This is an exciting opportunity for me and I hope to make the most of my local and international experience.  I’m up for the challenge.”
 
He will be taking charge of a team that has a respected reputation achieved over the past 11 years in production car racing and Formula Volkswagen.  SAM Racing won the inaugural class T championship in Bridgestone Production Cars in 2004 with a Mini Cooper S driven by Martin Steyn, before fielding the Nissan Junior Team of 350Zs in 2005 and the Nissan Dealer Team of 350Zs since 2006.
 
Ends
 
Issued on behalf of SAM Racing by Peter Burroughes Communications, telephone 082 899 0101 or e-mail bowtie@iafrica.com.