The first round of the 2016 Inland Championship looks set to launch Regional racing into a whole new era. With a new PR team now driving the promotions and media coverage, as well as a refreshing TV package being secured, the newly launched tag line of ‘Real People, Real Racing’ has gained much interest.
The group is arguably the most diverse in Motorsport right now.
Big Boss Auto Super Saloons
A new draw card to the ranks will be the addition of the popular Bridgestone BMW Club Racing Series who have moved up to regional racing level this year. Close on thirty cars are expected for the first race of the season including big karting names Kas Naicker and Sebastian Lanzetti, and oval veteran Andy Smith.
Growing from strength to strength is the Big Boss Auto Super Saloons. The GTA class has seen a rejuvenation in numbers after their first season at Regional level last year. Apart from the stalwarts of the series some new talents such as Devin Robertson, Seef Fourie Junior and Amos Cockerham Junior. Some GTA cars and drivers we haven’t seen for a while will also be back.
The newly formed classes for the rest of the field (GT2 to GT5) cater for various monocoque or space frame vehicles sporting a variety of different power plants including the much loved rotary engine cars.
2016 heralds a brand new era for the successful Bridgestone BMW Club Racing Series. After 5 years of being one of the strongest single-make club racing series in South Africa, 2016 will be their first season as a regional championship and as such at the end of the year will crown a regional BMW Champion. The regional status also means increased support and structure from the motorsport administration body MSA.
The series will now permanently race as part of the Inland Championship regional tour. The shared approach to racing for fun, logistical considerations and the ability to be involved in building a better regional tour at ground level ultimately sealed the deal for the organisers and drivers. The club series has raced with the tour previously on an invitational basis and are happy to call it their new home.
The championship will host races at all 9 rounds of the tour with the introduction of a new class aimed at novices and 4 cylinder BMWs. All classes are regulated by breakout times allowing drivers to improve their talents and progress in the series without having to spend a fortune to stay competitive in a technically regulated class.
Together with their partners and other categories racing on the tour, such as the INEX Legends and Big Boss Auto Super Saloons/MPC, the various chairmen will be embarking on an aggressive marketing and PR overhaul for the tour in 2016 that include all media facets. The club has secured title sponsorship from Bridgestone South Africa, primary sponsorship from Viking Mining Solutions, Roof Surgeon as well as Big Boss Auto and Tri-Cor Signs. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for both the BMW club series and the tour events for any parties interested in becoming part of what motorsport really should be about – ‘Real People, Real Racing’.
Provisional Calendar for 2016
5 March
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Zwartkops Raceway
2 April
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Phakisa
7 May
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Kyalami
18 June
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Midvaal Raceway
16 July
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Zwartkops Raceway
13 August
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Red Star Raceway
17 September
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Zwartkops Raceway
15 October
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Midvaal Raceway
5 November
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Kyalami
For any enquiries on the Bridgestone BMW Club Racing Series or the Inland Championship,
please contact Michael Broom on 084 325 2744 or broombmw@gmail.com.
The Club was formed in 1981 to afford like minded enthusiasts the opportunity to interact with each other through a comprehensive calendar of events, a club magazine and website portal. The Club also organizes adrenaline and social based events such as breakfast runs, classic car gatherings, Concours d’Elegance competitions, noggins, weekend trips, gymkhana’s and top speed events. The Club is proud of its family ethos where all enthusiasts are welcome. Annual membership starts from as little as R350, more information is available at www.bmwcarclub.co.za.
