Following its successful World Cup soccer tournament, South Africa is being represented in American racing as Doran Racing will run its McDonald's/South African Airways/PRNewswire Ford Dallara Daytona Prototype with a striking design presenting the South African flag, covering the car from nose to tail, for the upcoming races at Watkins Glen and Montreal rounds of the Grand-Am Rolex Series. Doran will also field an all-South African lineup, with Mark Patterson and Dion von Moltke as drivers.
"Having spent five great years with one Ohio DP team, I'm happy to have been able to sign up for the Glen and Montreal with another fine Ohio squad led by Kevin Doran," said Patterson (left). "Teaming up with another family with South African roots, the von Moltke's, Dion and I will share the Vuvuzela car with the most outrageous design ever seen in a Grand-Am race!"
Patterson, a born and bred South African who now makes New York his home, is also currently competing in Europe on the FIA GT3 circuit.
"With this car we are proudly continuing on from the World Cup the exciting and stunning images of South Africa, one of the most beautiful countries on the planet, in many more ways than what you can see in the bush, the beaches, the mountains and the cities" said Dion. "With the assistance of our partner PRNewswire, we are promoting SAA as the best way to fly there, and also South Africa as an incredible place to visit and to do business with."
Marc Cavaliere, Executive Vice President of SAA in North America added: "We have been proudly supporting Dion for some years now. The No. 77 Doran car has been consistently running up front in 2010 and this supports our message as the leading airline to a spectacular destination. The South African car looks stunning and I can't wait to see it on the track."