Tag: BMW CCG Racing Series

MSA Super Series – Zwartkops Raceway – 2014-11-01 – Photographs

Paul BlackburnBMW Car Club Gauteng, BMW Club Racing Series, Super Series, Zwartkops Raceway

Photographs from the MSA Super Series event held at Zwartkops Raceway on 1 November 2014.

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BMW CCG Club Racing Series – Round 5 – Kyalami

Greg ReillyBMW Car Club Gauteng, BMW Club Racing Series, Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, Race Reports
The fifth round of the 2014 BMW CCG Club Racing Series saw this competitive series return to the recently saved Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit on Saturday 20 September. A strong field of twenty eight cars qualified for the two 8 lap races scheduled on the day. As always the action on the track was fast and furious! BMW Car Club Gauteng
It was no surprise when Lee Thompson (E46 M3 CSL GT) grabbed pole position. Manny Ribeiro (E36 325i Turbo) claimed the top spot in class B with Dino Fameliaris (E36 M3) starting on the front row of class C. Johan Dreyer (E46 330i) put in a great effort to claim his first ever pole position in class D.
Kris Budnik (E46 M3 GT) had a disastrous start to the weekend however when a gearbox related fire prevented him from qualifying.

Race 1
Thompson was in unbeatable form
Thompson was in unbeatable form
 The drama began before the race had even started when Thompson, Gianni Giannoccaro (E46 M3 GTR) and Thouca Mechanicos (E46 M3 Ti GTR) all had to start from the pit lane after not getting out of the pits for the warm up lap in time.
The customary rolling start saw the field charge through the first two corners at a rapid pace. Ribeiro led the pack down the back straight with MBS Carriers team mate Jonathan Araujo (E36 328i Turbo) in tow. Carlo Garbini (E46 M3) was hot on their heels with Desmond Bloem (E36 325i), Dino Fameliaris (E36 M3) and Justin Robertson (E36 328i) in pursuit. Garbini grabbed second position on the opening lap with a great out braking manoeuvre at the bottom of the “Mine Shaft”.
Budnik who had started at the back of the field was already up to seventh position and was being hassled by the equally fast starting Thompson. The pair had grabbed fourth and fifth positions respectively by lap two. Garbini was also on a charge as he proceeded to take the lead on the third lap. Thompson then grabbed fourth position from Budnik on the same lap. The race went pear shaped on the fourth lap however when Budnik succumbed to the same problems he experienced earlier in the day at the bottom of the “Mine Shaft”. The race was quickly red flagged as the fire and rescue crews were dispatched to put out yet another gearbox related fire.
Fameliaris continued his fine form in the first race
Fameliaris continued his fine form in the first race
 When the race was restarted, a 4 lap sprint would see the eager field charge through the first few corners once again. Ribeiro grabbed the lead ahead of his team mate for the second time in a row. Thompson had blasted his way into third position with Garbini hanging onto his coat tails. Mechanicos also made a great start as he slotted into a strong fifth position. His impressive start was short lived however when mechanical gremlins put paid to his chances a lap later.
Thompson grabbed the lead on the second lap with Ribeiro and Araujo shadowing him all the way. Garbini was fighting back as he took third position on the penultimate lap of the race. Giannoccaro was also on a late charge as he relegated Araujo to fifth position with a great move through turn twelve.
Thompson went on to take an impressive Overall and class A victory, with Ribeiro taking second overall and first in class B. Garbini held on for a strong third position. Fameliaris continued his fine form with a lights to flag victory in class C. Mike Salt (E36 323i) had the race of his life in class D but unfortunately lost the victory when he broke out of the allocated lap times for the class. Dreyer was thanking his lucky stars when he was awarded the class D victory after the race.

Race 1 Class Results

Class A

Class B
  1. Lee Thompson – Best lap: 1:48.397
  2. Gianni Giannoccaro – Best lap: 1:53.528
  1. Manny Ribeiro – Best lap: 1:51.906
  2. Carlo Garbini – Best lap: 1:51.180
  3. Jonathan Araujo – Best lap: 1:53.398

Class C

Class D
  1. Dino Fameliaris – Best lap: 1:57.657
  2. Desmond Bloem – Best lap: 1:57.346
  3. Justin Robertson – Best lap: 1:58.863
  1. Johan Dreyer – Best lap: 2:03.051
  2. Shane Grobler – Best lap: 2:03.676
  3. Bruce Turner – Best lap: 2:08.140

Race 2
Ribeiro dominated class B
Ribeiro dominated class B
 The inverted grid for the second heat set the tone for another action packed event. It started with the charge down through turn one – after making slight contact with the leading pack Paul Hill (E90 335i) shot across the track to collide heavily with the unforgiving barriers. The red flag was brought out to clear the carnage.

Thompson grabbed the lead at the restart with Ribeiro, Giannoccaro, Araujo and Garbini in hot pursuit once again. Robertson grabbed the class C lead and was closely followed by Mike Grobler (E90 330i) and Warren Dodd (E36 325i).
Araujo was on a charge and grabbed third position from Giannoccaro on the third lap. Giannoccaro’s G&H Transport team mate Mechanicos was also scything his way through the field from the back of the grid as he slotted into seventh position on the same lap. The mid pack battle was just as close with Dodd fending off Fameliaris, Grobler and Nicholas Smythe (E46 330i).
Robertson powered his way to victory in the second race
Robertson powered his way to victory in the second race
 Thompson had left the rest of the field in his wake by mid race, with the real battle going on for the rest of the podium positions. Ribeiro was holding onto second position with Araujo playing the tail gunner role. Garbini was trying hard to find a way past Araujo and eventually made his move on the penultimate lap of the race to slip through and grab third.
Thompson crossed the line to take the chequered flag and claimed another dominant Overall and class A victory. Ribeiro took second prize once again, claiming the double in class B in the process. Despite setting the fastest lap in class B, Garbini had to settle for yet another third place. Robertson romped home to victory in class C with Salt fighting back to claim a well deserved victory in class D.

Race 2 Class Results

Class A

Class B
  1. Lee Thompson – Best lap: 1:46.696
  2. Gianni Giannoccaro – Best lap: 1:53.712
  1. Manny Ribeiro – Best lap: 1:52.330
  2. Carlo Garbini – Best lap: 1:51.380
  3. Jonathan Araujo – Best lap: 1:52.208

Class C

Class D
  1. Justin Robertson – Best lap: 1:59.162
  2. Julian Fameliaris – Best lap: 1:58.401
  3. Warren Dodd – Best lap: 2:00.786
  1. Mike Salt – Best lap: 2:04.384
  2. Johan Dreyer – Best Lap: 2:03.005
  3. Shane Grobler – Best lap: 2:03.980
Dreyer and Salt traded victories in class D Dreyer and Salt traded victories in class D
Dreyer and Salt traded victories in class D

Race Report by Greg Reilly.
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BMW CCG Club Racing Series