The sixth round of the Inland Championship Roadshow will head to the tight and technical Red Star Raceway on Saturday 13 August. With the various categories starting to reveal a number of championship leaders the action is expected to be fast and furious.
The Bridgestone BMW Club Racing Series continues to produce non-stop action. Julian Fameliaris (E36 328i Turbo) has a massive lead in Class A and the overall championship, but can definitely expect some tough opposition from his cousin Dino Fameliaris (E36 M3 Turbo) and Desmond Bloem (E36 M3 Turbo). Riaan Woest (E46 M3 GTR) is the leading contender in Class B but he will be under huge pressure from Rick Loureiro (E30 3.2 CSL) and Warren Dodd (E46 M3). Stefano Martinelli (E36 328i Turbo) and more recently Jorge Estrela (E36 328i Turbo) have also put in some strong performances and could both challenge for a podium position. Class C has produced some of the closest racing all season with at least half a dozen drivers challenging for the lead. Mish-al Sing (E30 325is) currently leads the pack but he will be challenged by the likes of Lorenzo Gaultieri (E36 328i), Andreas Meier (E36 M3) and Craig Ball (E36 328i). Jimmy Tsimenoglou (E36 M3) will be hoping to have his car repaired in time after his recent Zwartkops crash so that he can continue his challenge in the class as well. Philip Smit (E46 M3), Shane Grobler (E36 328i) and Willie Erasmus (E36 M3) have all been in a points scoring position this season as well. Bevan Meyer (E36 325i) still leads the class D brigade but is an unconfirmed entry so drivers like Troy Cochran (E46 325ti), Neil Reynolds (E39 M5) and Edwin Dreyer (E46 M3) will take advantage of the points on offer. Mike Dodd (E36 318is) is the lone Class E driver at this event but will be hoping for more opposition in future.
The INEX Legends Championship continues to produce the close and competitive racing that they have become so well known for. After some bad luck at the previous event, Divan Myburgh (Bamboo Racing) still has a narrow lead in the Pro class with Shaun Nel (INEX Legends SA) and Seef Fourie (Maxtrac / Denmar Steel) now well within striking distance however. Justin Robertson (Big Boss Auto) continues to edge out a lead in the Masters category but Anton Repsold (Maxtrac / Denmar Steel) and Steve Nel (INEX Legends SA) are still very much in with a chance as well. Johann van de Venter could also spring a few surprises after some good performances of late too. Young Lonika Maartens (Maxtrac / Denmar Steel) still leads the Semi Pro class but will no doubt be under pressure from Anro Stadler (Jentelle Racing) in his repaired machine. Shjaell Nel (INEX Legends SA) and Richard Upton (R.U Racing) should also not be counted out of the equation either with both of them taking points scoring positions this season as well. Clinton Bezuidenhout (Universal Health Care) continues to dominate the Young Lions class ahead of series newcomer Altan Bouw (Big Boss Auto) who continues to improve at each event.
The Big Boss Auto Super Saloon category with the big V8 GTA class is always a crowd favourite. Championship leader Ben Morgenrood (Ford Mustang) will no doubt be under pressure from Mackie Adlem (Jaguar) and Devin Robertson (Chev Corvette) with a number of other drivers all capable of taking a win. Willie Hepburn (Opel Rekord) is expected to dominate the GT2 class with Jody Vianna (Mazda RX8) leading the charge in GT3. Adrian Dalton (VW Golf) is the front runner in GT4 while Jimmy Tsimenglou (BMW M3) will be hoping that his car will be repaired in time for him to be able to keep up the challenge in GT5.
The Yokohama Modified Production Cars have seen an increase in numbers since the last event. Jeff Langeveldt (Honda CRX) continues to lead the class A battle ahead of Dirk Lawrence (Honda Ballade). Paul van Niekerk (VW Golf 1) has taken over the class B lead from Adrian Dalton (VW Golf) with Paul Saayman (VW Golf 1) and Giles Darroch (VW Golf 1) hot on their heels. Kalyn Miller (Ford Icon) has a narrow lead in Class C with Michael Frada and Kenny Darroch (VW Golf) right behind her. The SRA brigade should see the likes of Fritz Kleynhans (Shelby) and Mario Nardini (Nardini SP308) fighting for class honours.
The Midvaal Historics and Trofeo Challenge categories have produced some of the biggest fields of all of the categories over the past few races, with close and competitive racing throughout the field. Brendan Parker (Datsun GX Coupe) currently leads the Midvaal Historics championship chase at the top of the log with Jacques Mostert (Datsun) nine points behind him. Rookie Peder Jensen (Datsun) has impressed all season and finds himself in third position ahead of Koos Louw (Mercedes Benz W123). Paddy Venske (Toyota Corona) and Mossie Mostert (Datsun) are mere points behind Louw as they round out the top six. John Hendriks (Alfa Sud) has a healthy lead in the Trofeo Challenge points log with Shaun Lamprecht (Alfa 33) further back in second. Rounding up the top three is Carlos Gameiro JNR (Alfa Romeo Giulia).
Single seater fans will be entertained by the ever growing field of the Formula Monoposto consisting of the Formula Libre and Formula M championships. Currently leading the overall championship is last year’s champion, Michael Kernick (Tasman 95), who is also leading class E. He is now but 4 points ahead of Steven Levin (SRJ Formula Vee), the leader of class F. John Maurien (VW Ray), leader of class D, is in third overall with Leon Scholtz (Formula Vee), second in class D and Didier Diedericks (Formula M) leading Class C tied on 4th place overall and just 3 points behind Maurien. With the championship still being wide open we can be assured they will bring their A game to Red Star Raceway.
Other classes racing on the day will be the Silvercup and the well-known Comsol VW Challenge that will feature as a guest category on the day.
Entrance on the day will be R50 per person with racing expected to start at 09:40.
For live updates on race days follow the series on Facebook: Facebook.com/InlandChampionship
For any enquiries, photographs or media reports on the Inland Championship feel free to contact Paul Blackburn on 082 900 6443 or media@racepics.co.za.
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