ANDRE D'CRUZE 2008 The Formula One Club are delighted to announce that 'new dad' Andre D'Cruze has secured his 2008 season with Geoff Steel Racing. He will be competing in the Britcar Championship in the newly prepared BMW M3 E46 GTR 4900 and will once again be partnering Michael Symons. Andre also found much success in 2007 driving in the Dutch Super Car Challenge when not competing for Geoff Steel Racing and is keen to do the same this season, in fact he is looking to 'guest' in any other sports car race available providing they do not clash or interfere with Geoff Steel Racing commitments. This is going to be an exciting season for Andre so check for all his race reports in Stopwatch, the dates for his races this year are listed under Events. 2007 The 'newly married' Andre D'Cruze took to the track this year for the Geoff Steel Race Team in the BMW M3 E36 with Michael Symons racing in the Britcar Championships achieving many good results. Mechanical glitches were the only reason that kept them off the podium and with the dynamic duo moving up a 'class' next year we expect this to be fully rectified, fingers crossed! After a year out working hard to raise funds for his racing. Andre seized the opportunity to join entrant Michael Symons in his BMW M3 E36 in the EERC series (European Endurance Racing Club) competing in the Production S1 races in 2005. After a previous very successful season in the Radical Enduro Championship Andre's ultimate goal has been to compete in the very highest level of sports car racing. Lack of funds has not made this possible to date but his dedication and determination to showcase his undoubted talent remains unchallenged. Andre joined the Geoff Steel Racing Team only two days before the opening round at Brands Hatch on the 16th April 2005 with the promise to Geoff to prove himself worthy of his impressive race CV. Needless to say, he did not disappoint, taking over the car from Michael Symons one lap down minus eight seconds due to major chaos on the first few laps! This gave Andre plenty of hard graft with a chance to show the team the kind of driver he is. With the field closing up after a safety car period he homed in on the closing pack, using his superb race craft to perfection by passing some of the more exotic cars on the track. He soon made up the one lap deficit,eventually bringing home Class honours in first place for the team a full 22 seconds ahead of his next opponent. The opportunity given to Andre by Geoff Steel paid off handsomely and the team were ecstatic with the unexpected win. On the track Andre let his racing do the talking as always,and he was rewarded with a full seasons drive for 2005. Despite some mechanical problems with the car Andre went from strength to strength throughout the 2005 season, building a tremendous rapport with the team whilst working hard coaching the ever-improving Michael Symons. He made sure that they were at the sharp end of the pace with a strong package to bring to the EERC series in the Production S1 races in 2006. Andre sees this as a stepping-stone to his eventual goal of racing in the BTCC series, funds permitting! If the first race at Silverstone on the 25th March this year is anything to go by we are in for an exciting time! Full race reports to be found in 'Stopwatch' the Newsletter of the Formula One Club. ROUND-UP OF ANDRE'S 2006 SEASON This has been Andre's best season to date driving the Geoff Steel run M3 E36 BMW in the Production S1 series. The first race was at Silverstone on 25th March. Despite co-driver Michael Symons having a massive crash during testing, the mechanics worked overnight to repair the car and it was able to line up on the grid in 13th place on Saturday afternoon. At the end of a most exciting race Andre brought the car home in second place overall after a storming drive. He also achieved second fastest lap and a huge pat on the back from the Geoff Steel race team. Snetterton on the 13/14th May, brought yet more drama. The race on Saturday was run in an exceptionally heavy thunderstorm with lightning darting back and forth across the track. It caught out most of the cars, including the Symons/D'Cruze car, and all everyone could do was concentrate on Sunday's race. As always, Andre produced some stunning driving, and also achieved fastest lap. He finished the race in second place overall, giving him a well deserved podium place. Saturday 3rd June saw the Geoff Steel race team at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium for the 4hr night race. Andre and Michael had high hopes for a good result, but after five laps the gearbox gave up the ghost and the car was stranded out on the track. So it was back home to Andre's home circuit at Brands Hatch in Kent on the 17/18th June for what turned out to be a blaze of glory. This time Andre took to the sun-drenched circuit for four races throughout the weekend, entering the Dutch Super Challenge in the same BMW as he and Michael were racing in the Production S1 series. A tall order as there was barely time to turn round between the two races, but the guys wanted to see how they would hold up against the bigger, faster cars and they were not disappointed. Andre drove his heart out in all four races and was awarded 'Star Drive' by Motoring News, winning one race, and losing another after crossing the line first (see full report in Stop Watch Issue 51) The win was backed up by second, third and fourth places, ably supported by co-driver Michael Symons. To quote Geoff Steel "Our boy just keeps coming up with the goods ... fantastic!" Andre arrived at Donington Park on Saturday 5th of August for the next round of the Production S1 series with both he and Michael still riding high from their success at Brands Hatch. They took the win in an action packed race as they had started in ninth place with some pretty fast cars ahead of them. Michael drove well and handed the car over to Andre at the halfway mark who, driving at an electrifying pace, took the lead with twenty minutes to go. This added yet another trophy to Andre's rapidly growing collection. Andre has to miss the 24hr race at Silverstone on September 9/10th due to other commitments but watch this space for a possible race at Spa on October the 8th.

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