The Bridgestone BMW Club Racing Series held their final race event of the 2014 season at the popular Zwartkops Raceway on Saturday 29 November.
With the Overall and individual class championships all still up for grabs, sparks were expected to fly.
Lee Thompson (E82 135i) upset the establishment when he convincingly took pole position with an astounding time of 1:02.859. Sav Gaultieri (F30 335i) had to settle for second with Kris Budnik (E46 M3 GT) taking third. Manny Ribeiro (E36 325i Turbo) would line up on the front row in class B with Lee Jones (E39 M5) taking pole in class C. Once again Johan Dreyer (E46 330i) set the pace in class D.
Race 1
Gianni Giannoccaro’s newly liveried car took him to the 2014 class A Championship
The first race got off to a roaring start with the twenty five car field jostling for position through the first two corners. Thompson emerged through turn three in the lead with Gaultieri, Budnik, Gianni Giannoccaro (E46 M3 CSL GTR) and invitational driver Graeme Nathan (VW Golf 6 GTI) in tow. Budnik’s race came to a sudden end through turn four when the prop shaft on his car broke however.
Ribeiro led the class B field with team mate Jonathan Araujo (E36 328i Turbo) and the rest of the pack in hot pursuit. Ribeiro was on a charge and soon shot past the experienced Nathan on the second lap to grab fourth position behind the leading trio. Jones was showing the class C field the way around the circuit with Justin Robertson (E36 328i) and Daniel Koekemoer (E36 M3 GTR) watching his every move. The class D battle once again saw Dreyer and Mike Salt (E36 323i) fighting it out for honours.
Araujo followed in his team mate’s footsteps and relegated Nathan to sixth position on lap six. The race was turned on its head moments later when Ribeiro retired with differential issues on his car. Race leader Thompson then retired a lap later with terminal engine problems.
When the chequered flag came out it was Gaultieri who took an easy win ahead of Giannoccaro to claim the Overall and class A honours. Araujo took an untroubled victory in class B with Jones taking a comfortable first position in class C. Dreyer was kept honest by Salt once again and had to work hard to take the class D honours.
Dreyer on his way to claiming the 2014 Overall and class D Championships
Race 1 Class Results
Class A
Class B
Sav Gaultieri – Best lap: 1:03.875
Gianni Giannoccaro – Best lap: 1:07.288
Graeme Nathan – Best lap: 1:08.612
Jonathan Araujo – Best lap: 1:08.277
Desmond Bloem – Best lap: 1:08.379
Riaan Woest – Best lap: 1:09.998
Class C
Class D
Lee Jones – Best lap: 1:11.164
Justin Robertson – Best lap: 1:11.861
Dino Fameliaris – Best lap: 1:11.625
Johan Dreyer – Best lap: 1:15.352
Mike Salt – Best lap: 1:15.555
Arri van Heerden – Best lap: 1:15.418
Race 2
Nathan proved to be the wet weather specialist in his front wheel drive Golf 6
The traditional inverted by class grid for race two set the tone for an exciting final race of the year. For the first time in BMW CCG Club Racing history a VW powered vehicle held pole position with Nathan at the wheel. Giannoccaro would line up alongside the 2014 Class T Bridgestone Production Car Champion in his newly livered BMW racer.
The usual rolling start saw the field fan out and jostle for position through the first few corners. Gaultieri used the power and speed of his car to take the lead down the back straight into turn four. Nathan slotted into second position ahead of Giannoccaro. A repaired Ribeiro was leading the class B pack with Araujo and Riaan Woest (E46 M3 GTR) in tow. Robertson grabbed the class C lead ahead of Desmond Bloem (E36 325i Turbo) and the rest of the chasing pack, while series newcomer Ronnie Koekemoer (E46 M3) found himself at the front of the class D field. Budnik was driving like a man possessed as he scythed his way through the field from the back of the grid. He was up to eighth position by lap two before electrical issues caused him to retire to the pits.
Giannoccaro found a way past Nathan to snap up second position on the third lap, only to have Nathan return the favour a lap later with an impressive move around the outside of turn three. Class C front runner Jones then retired to the pits with suspected brake failure.
The race was thrown completely on its head when the heavens opened three laps from the end. The circuit became water logged within minutes and traction for the competitors had changed drastically. Wet weather talent and experience would now come to the fore.
Gaultieri could no longer get the power down and the rest of the rear wheel drive cars had similar problems. Nathan in the front wheel drive VW Golf now started closing in on the race leaders and took the lead through turn three on the penultimate lap of the race, only to run wide through the very next corner. He recovered quickly and set about opening up a gap on the rest of the field. The monsoon like conditions had everyone slipping and sliding through the corners.
With conditions well and truly in his favour Nathan took the Overall and class A victory ahead of Giannoccaro with Gaultieri slipping back to third. Ribeiro held on for a narrow victory ahead of his team mate Araujo in class B, with Robertson showing his skill in the wet to take the class C honours ahead of young Julian Fameliaris (E36 328i). Dreyer romped home to victory in the wet conditions to claim the class D honours.
Gaultieri found the worsening conditions rather tricky
Race 2 Class Results
Class A
Class B
Graeme Nathan – Best lap: 1:09.041
Gianni Giannoccaro – Best lap: 1:08.356
Sav Gaultieri – Best lap: 1:05.622
Manny Ribeiro – Best lap: 1:08.792
Jonathan Araujo – Best lap: 1:09.829
Riaan Woest – Best lap: 1:10.899
Class C
Class D
Justin Robertson – Best lap: 1:12.453
Julian Fameliaris– Best lap: 1:12.156
Dino Fameliaris – Best lap: 1:12.558
Johan Dreyer – Best lap: 1:15.737
Mike Salt – Best Lap: 1:16.384
Bruce Turner – Best lap: 1:16.342
Despite mechanical issues, Ribeiro came back to claim the 2014 class B Championship in race 2
Johan Dreyer’s victory in the final race of the year saw him claim not only the hard fought class D title but the Overall BMW CCG Club Racing Series title as well – and this in only his first season of racing in this very competitive series!
Gianni Giannoccaro took the 2014 class A title by a narrow 3 point margin. Manny Ribeiro took the 2014 class B honours by an equally small margin. Justin Robertson’s consistency throughout the season saw him rack up a comfortable 16 point gap over his nearest rival to comfortably take the 2014 class C title.
2014 BMW CCG Club Racing Series Class Championship
Class A
Class B
Gianni Giannoccaro – 57 points
Sav Gaultieri – 54 points
Kris Budnik – 52
Manny Ribeiro – 95 points
Carlo Garbini – 92 points
Ricky Giannoccaro – 62 points
Class C
Class D
Justin Robertson – 102 points
Dino Fameliaris – 86 points
Julian Fameliaris – 83 points
Johan Dreyer – 107 points
Mike Salt – 98 points
Bruce Turner – 70 points
2014 Overall BMW CCG Club Racing Series Championship
Johan Dreyer – 107 points
Justin Robertson – 102 points
Mike Salt – 98 points
Manny Ribeiro – 95 points
Carlo Garbini – 92 points
Dino Fameliaris – 86 points
Robertson battled his way to the line to claim the 2014 Class C title and second overall
The 2014 racing season has been the closest one yet in all the years that this popular series has been running, and the 2015 season promises to bring even more excitement going forward. New rules and a new class for more standard entry level cars will no doubt see this successful series continue to grow from strength to strength.
The Bridgestone BMW Club Racing Series will return to the Zwartkops Raceway for the final round of the championship.
The 2014 racing season has seen one of the closest championship battles in series history – in both the individual and overall class battles.
The Individual class battles
Budnik will be keen to take the class A laurels
Kris Budnik (E46 M3 GT) currently leads the class A ranks by eleven points over Gianni Giannoccaro (E46 M3 CSL GTR). Jimmy Giannoccaro (E82 135i) finds himself in third position – a further eleven points behind his son.
Sav Gaultieri (F30 335i) is once again expected to challenge for overall honours on the day but hasn’t competed in enough events during the course of the year to be a title hopeful.
Kris Budnik – 52 points
Gianni Giannoccaro – 41 points
Jimmy Giannoccaro – 30 points
The class B battle has literally been a two horse race during the course of the year. Carlo Garbini (E46 M3) was able to come away from the last event with a narrow seven point advantage over championship rival Manny Ribeiro (E36 325i Turbo). Ricky Giannoccaro (E46 M3 GTR) could still be a threat to the leaders if either of them has a bad result at the final event.
Jonathan Araujo (E36 328i Turbo) will be looking to end the year on a high after being plagued by reliability issues during the season. On a good day Thouca Mechanicos (E46 M3 Ti GTR) could very well challenge for a podium position as well, while class B newcomer Riaan Woest (E46 M3 GTR) will be looking for a better result than his first race a few weeks ago.
Carlo Garbini – 92 points
Manny Ribeiro – 85 points
Ricky Giannoccaro – 62 points
Sav Gaultieri (F30 335i) is once again expected to challenge for overall honours on the day
Robertson will be looking to trump the Fameliaris boys for class C honours
Class C has consistently been one of the biggest and most competitive classes in the series with various winners throughout the year keeping the class championship chase very close. Justin Robertson (E36 328i) goes into the final event of the year with a ten point advantage over closest rival Dino Fameliaris (E36 M3). Julian Fameliaris (E36 328i) is only three points behind his cousin and could very well cause an upset between the leading duo.
Lee Jones (E39 M5) will be hard pressed to catch the leaders but does have some peace of mind after taking a double victory at the very same circuit at the previous round. Hein Strohm (E36 M3 GTR) was the championship leader earlier in the year and will be looking to get back to winning form again. Warren Dodd (E36 325i) will be hoping for better luck at the final event of the year after a string of mechanical failures has seen him falling further behind the class leaders. With more than half a dozen capable contenders in the field the action is sure to be closer than ever.
Justin Robertson – 84 points
Dino Fameliaris – 74 points
Julian Fameliaris – 71 points
Class D has been another hotly contended class with at least a dozen entries throughout the year keeping things interesting. The latter half of the season has seen two contenders emerge at the front of the field. Johan Dreyer (E46 330i) finds himself leading the class by a mere five points in only his first year of competitive racing. Mike Salt (E36 323i) will be as determined as ever to turn the tables on Dreyer with a possible championship title staring him in the face. Bruce Turner’s (E36 328i) fighting spirit has seen him hanging onto third position in the class despite missing an event due to budget restraints.
Shane Grobler (E36 328i) has moved into fourth position. Mike Wentzel (2002 Turbo) has seen his chances blow out of the window after a string of mechanical failures have put paid to his chances of a decent season. Trevor Long (E36 328i) has shown consistency in his first year in racing and will be looking to finish the season on a high.
Johan Dreyer – 87 points
Mike Salt – 82 points
Bruce Turner – 59 points
The Dreyer / Salt battle will go down to the wire
The Overall title chase
Garbini will be determined to take the Overall and class B titles
The overall championship title chase couldn’t be closer with the top five contenders only separated by 10 points!
Carlo Garbini (E46 M3) finds himself at the top of the leader board with Johan Dreyer (E46 330i) only five points behind him. Manny Ribeiro (E36 325i Turbo) is a further two points behind Dreyer with Justin Robertson (E36 328i) a solitary point behind him. Mike Salt (E36 323i) is only two points behind Robertson as well.
With everything and more on the line the racing action is expected to be fast and furious!
Carlo Garbini – 92 points
Johan Dreyer – 87 points
Manny Ribeiro – 85 points
Justin Robertson – 84 points
Mike Salt – 82 points
Dino Fameliaris – 74 points
If you are interested in joining or attending this event please forward your details to Click-to-Reveal@bmwcarclub.co.za. Further correspondence will then be sent to you.
The popular BMW CCG Club Racing Series joined the national Super Series Roadshow for their swansong event at Zwartkops Raceway on Saturday 1 November. The penultimate round of the BMW CCG Club Racing Series certainly made all and sundry sit up and take notice with two action packed heats keeping race fans on their feet. The dedicated competitors of this well organised series produced some of the most exciting racing on the day with all four classes producing close racing throughout the field.
Sav Gaultieri (F30 335i) made the long awaited debut of his new racer and promptly grabbed pole position in the process by almost a full second over Kris Budnik (E46 M3 GT). Ricky Giannoccaro (E46 M3 GTR) picked up where he left off at the previous race when he grabbed the class B pole ahead of team mate Thouca Mechanicos (E46 M3 Ti GTR).
Lee Jones (E39 M5) dominated the class C qualifying only to break out and receive a 5 place grid penalty. This put Dino Fameliaris (E36 M3) on the front row of the class with Justin Robertson (E36 328i) alongside him. Johan Dreyer (E46 330i) continued his good form and once again grabbed the class D honours with championship rival Mike Salt (E36 323i) lining up alongside him.
Race 1
The charge through the first corner couldn’t have been closer
The first race got off to a thunderous start with the large twenty nine car field jostling for position through the first corner. With the leaders three abreast out of turn one it was the tight turn two hairpin that would decide the men from the boys! Gaultieri emerged from turn three with an immediate lead over Budnik, Robertson and the rest of the chasing pack.
The frantic pace at the front would take a few prisoners however, as first Jimmy Giannoccaro (E82 135i) succumbed to a broken exhaust system on lap two, with class B championship contender Manny Ribeiro (E36 325i Turbo) retiring from the class B lead a lap later with a broken engine mounting.
Mechanicos picked up where Ribeiro left off with Garbini and G&H Transport team mate Ricky G in hot pursuit. The class C battle was just as fierce with Jones scything his way from the middle of the pack to challenge Fameliaris and Robertson for the lead. The class D battle was a mirror image of the last couple of events with Salt being the Venter trailer on Dreyer’s rear bumper as the two fought for the class lead.
Garbini was on a charge as he grabbed the class B lead by the half way point in the race. Ricky followed suit as he demoted Mechanicos to third position in the class as well. The class C brat pack once again saw a titanic battle in the mid field with Daniel Koekemoer (E36 M3 GTR) fending off Nic Smythe (E46 330i) and Hein Strohm (E36 M3 GTR). Class D contender Shane Grobler (E36 328i) suffered engine failure on lap five, putting a premature end to his race weekend.
When the chequered flag came out it was Gaultieri who edged out a hard charging Budnik to claim the Overall and class A honours. Garbini had to work hard to take the class B honours ahead of Ricky. Jones proved that he had the pace in class C as he romped home to victory ahead of Robertson Senior. Dreyer only just held on for the class D victory with Salt keeping him busy all the way to the line.
Gaultieri threw down the gauntlet early on and dominated from the out set
Race 1 Class Results
Class A
Class B
Sav Gaultieri – Best lap: 1:04.546
Kris Budnik – Best lap: 1:05.517
Devin Robertson – Best lap: 1:06.430
Carlo Garbini – Best lap: 1:07.899
Ricky Giannoccaro – Best lap: 1:07.872
Thouca Mechanicos – Best lap: 1:8.151
Class C
Class D
Lee Jones – Best lap: 1:10.905
Justin Robertson – Best lap: 1:11.788
Dino Fameliaris – Best lap: 1:11.658
Johan Dreyer – Best lap: 1:15.011
Mike Salt – Best lap: 1:15.080
Bruce Turner – Best lap: 1:15.698
Race 2
Garbini was back to race winning form
An inverted grid by class for the second race would certainly shake things up with plenty of opportunity for overtaking being created. It didn’t take long for Gaultieri to once again get to the front of the pack. By the end of the first lap he held the race lead ahead of Budnik and Gianni Giannoccaro. A determined Garbini secured the class B lead ahead of Mechanicos and Riaan Woest (E46 M3 GTR) who was making his first appearance amongst the class B ranks in his new car after moving up from class C.
The class C battle was the one to watch with Speed and Sound Magazine front man Joel Silva (E36 328i) being chased down by Strohm, Robertson and the rest of the chasing pack. Donovan Salt (E30 3.0i) was unfortunate to retire with a puncture on lap three in his beautifully turned out retro Jagermeister touring car replica. Jones was on a charge once again as he scythed his way through the field. He made short work of the leading trio to grab the class C lead a lap later. Silva’s challenge came to an end on the fifth lap when he was plagued by spark plug issues.
With the front end of the field settling down into a good rhythm, the rest of the class C contenders were nowhere near from done. The battle for second position in the class saw a train of cars all fighting for the same piece of tarmac – Robertson had his hands full with Strohm, Koekemoer, Julian Fameliaris (E36 328i) and Smythe all in with a shot of a podium finish. The fight would quite literally go down to the last corner on the final lap of the race.
Gaultieri was in dominant form as he romped home to victory ahead of Budnik and Gianni to claim the Overall and class A double once again. Garbini made it two out of two in class B with Ricky and Mechanicos making a repeat performance of their results as well. Jones has found some amazing pace in the last few races of the season and a sublime effort from him saw him take his second victory amongst the hotly contested class C ranks once again.
Robertson held on for a hard fought second position with Strohm only just grabbing third. Dreyer was under pressure from Salt for the start but managed to drive one of the widest cars in the race to hold on for the double victory ahead of his championship rival once again. Turner used the new found grip of his car to claim another well deserved third position.
Jones was sublime in the brutish M5
Race 2 Class Results
Class A
Class B
Sav Gaultieri – Best lap: 1:05.165
Kris Budnik – Best lap: 1:05.831
Gianni Giannoccaro – Best lap: 1:06.992
Carlo Garbini – Best lap: 1:08.668
Ricky Giannoccaro – Best lap: 1:08.802
Thouca Mechanicos – Best lap: 1:08.685
Class C
Class D
Lee Jones – Best lap: 1:11.283
Justin Robertson – Best lap: 1:12.501
Hein Strohm – Best lap: 1:12.521
Johan Dreyer – Best lap: 1:15.411
Mike Salt – Best Lap: 1:15.188
Bruce Turner – Best lap: 1:16.291
The proverbial blanket could have been thrown over Dreyer and Salt once again
The final round of the year at Zwartkops Raceway on 29 November will no doubt see all guns come out blazing! All four of the individual class titles still need to be decided, as well as the coveted Overall title.
