Category: Phakisa Freeway

The fourth round of the 2017 Inland Championship will visit the exciting Phakisa Freeway outside Welkom for what is promised to be another bumper race day on 13 May 2017. Also on the day will see the annual 2 Hour Endurance race in which various categories compete for their championships.

The popular Bridgestone BMW Club Racing Series will head up the day’s proceedings and promises to deliver tight battles in all the various classes.

Class A contenders expected to go all out for podium positions will be Julian Fameliaris (BMW E36 328i Turbo) currently heading up the class A championship on 41 points. An ever improving Lorenzo Gualtieri (BMW E36 328i Turbo) currently on 34 points is expected to be the fly in the Fameliaris ointment as Julian’s cousin Dino Fameliaris (BMW E36 M3 Turbo), who dropped back to third spot on 31 points after the previous round, will look to challenge Julian. Not too far behind on points is Stefano Martinelli who simply cannot be discounted and will be posing a significant threat to the leaders.

The class B battle is expected to be just as furious between the three leaders Paulo Loureiro (BMW E36 M3 GTS) on 40 points, Riaan Woest (BMW E46 M3 GTR) on 37 points and Rick Loureiro (BMW E30 3.2 CSL) on 32 points. Bearing in mind that Paulo only started his championship campaign from the second round and scoring full points every round so far the others will do their best to challenge him before he scores a hat trick of wins.

The class C “Brat Pack” will guarantee the usual wheel to wheel action with their evenly matched BMW M3’s. Currently in the lead is Shane Grobler (BMW E36 328i) on 45 points after breaking out in class D at the previous round and one of the few odd one out non-M3 cars. He is expected to face a serious challenge from second placed man Philip Smit (BMW E46 M3) on 39 points. Joining him to fight for the class C laurels will be tied in third and championship newcomers Antonie Marx (BMW E46 M3) and Len-Henry Gobey (BMW E36 M3) on 33 points. A mere point behind is Willie Erasmus (BMW E36 M3) that will hope for better luck this round after suffering mechanical issues the previous round and causing him to slip down the championship ladder. The leaders should however not make the mistake of thinking the fight will only be amongst them, as there will be half a dozen other contenders also with the ability to take podium places on the day.

Class D is expected to see just as much action. Currently in the lead is Overall Championship leader Jan Eversteyn (BMW E36 328i) on 52 points. Not too far behind and still in touch is Mike Grobler (BMW E36 328i) on 42 points. Making a welcome return in his own car is Jimmy Tsimenoglou (BMW E36 M3) will be sure to challenge for the win. Irrespective there are still a handful other very capable contenders that can cause an upset for the leaders on the day.

After a very successful round by the Midvaal Historic Car Club at Zwartkops they will look to once again to boast with a big field of cars. Even though championship standings are not yet available there currently are not much in the championship amongst contenders in the various classes.

Expected to be out front in class A will be the Firenza Can Am of Eugene Gouws that is well suited for this fast long track. Class D will be led by Shawn Smidt (Datsun 160Y) while class E will see Ken Price (Datsun GX Coupe) challenged by competitors like Rene van Rensburg (Ford Escort Mk2), Johan Prins (Datsun 160U) and Jackie Morrison (Ford Escort).

The antics of class F personified by the wheels in the air Datsun 1200 GX’s of the Jensen brigade will be met with a strong challenge from the likes of Johan Coetzer Jnr (Datsun GX). Class G will see protagonists such as Anton Vos (Datsun GX Coupe) and Johan Roets (Datsun SSS) fight it out for podium positions.

Round 4 of this year’s INEX Legends Championship promises perhaps the sternest challenge yet for these midgets. After the excellent trio of heats at the small, tight and twisty Zwartkops Raceway in round 3, the much longer lap of the Phakisa Freeway will provide drivers with a different challenge. Heading the field will be Anro “Stompie” Stadler, the championship leader still, despite a winless round at Zwartkops. Willie Erasmus will shadow him much like he has done all season, and so too should Jordan Larsson who had an afternoon to forget in Pretoria West and will be keen to get back on terms with the front runners.

Young lion Alton Bouw also showed he’s fast getting on even terms with the big guns with his solid third place in heat 3 last time out, and should relish the challenge Phakisa will pose. Richard Upton won race 2 at Zwartkops, and one wouldn’t bet against a repeat this time in any of the three heats to be contested. Charl Roux and Richard van Heerden will also have something to say in the race for the podium placings, as will Anton Repsold, the surprise package at Zwartkops, driving Johan Jooste’s distinctive golden brown projectile. The mid pack should see Shjael, Shaun and Steve Nel dicing alongside Johan van der Venter, Ian Upton, Steve Nel, Steven Levine and team mate Sean Moore. Last but not least, Gerhard Roux was none the worse for wear after his crash last time out, and will also be in the thick of the action.

Also on the day will be a combined grid of the autObarn Superhatch and 111 Sports and Saloons. These popular categories are expected to keep crowds entertained with their close racing on this proper grand prix circuit. There will also be races for the Big Boss Auto Super Saloons. The Yokohama Modified Production Cars will take part in the annual 2 Hour Endurance race for their championship round.

Tickets will cost R50 per person while kids under 12 will go in free. Racing is expected to start at 09:15 although there are qualifying laps from 07:30 in the morning that will keep you just as entertained. This early start to racing is to ensure the 2 Hour Endurance race can kick off at 15:30 and complete their race before the sun sets on the day’s activities.