After a long two month break, the competitors of the popular Bridgestone BMW Club Racing Series made their way to a very cold Midvaal Raceway in Meyerton on Saturday 20 June. A strong field assembled on the day, honouring outgoing club chairman Michael Broom at his swansong event with the club. As always the dedicated competitors of this well organised series once again produced some exciting and competitive racing throughout the five classes that qualified on the day.
Qualifying
Devin Robertson (E90 320i Turbo) grabbed pole position ahead of class B front runner Julian Fameliaris (E36 328i Turbo), with Ricky Giannoccaro (E46 M3 GTR) a second off the pace. Stefano Martinelli (E36 328i) threw down the gauntlet to the rest of the class C pack, with rookie driver Lorenzo Gaultieri (E36 328i) impressing all by taking pole position ahead of the class D regulars. Mike Grobler (E36 328i) was back to his old form as he secured a front row position in class E as well.
Race 1
Fameliaris was impressive in the first race
Drama struck before the first race had even started when pole man Robertson was forced to start from pit lane after a flat battery prevented him from getting to the grid in time. This set the tone for an action packed charge through the field.
When the lights went out it was Fameliaris who grabbed the lead ahead of Giannoccaro. Mishal Sing (E92 Mslotted into third position with Zimbabwean Darren Winterboer (F30 335i) and Riaan Woest (E46 Mhot on his heels. The battles behind them were just as close with the leaders of each class jostling for position. Martinelli had his hands full in class C with Warren Dodd (E36 328i) hot on his heels. Gaultieri had taken an early lead in class D, but the action behind him was closer than ever. Another series newcomer Neil Reynolds (E39 M5), was giving class regular Mike Salt (E36 323i) a real run for his money.
Robertson was scything his way through the field and was up to sixth position by the end of the fourth lap! The battle ahead of him was just as close with Sing powering past Giannoccaro down the back straight to pick up second position on lap six. Robertson followed his example as he got past Woest to grab fifth a lap later, and then proceeded to take fourth position on lap eight as he blasted past Winterboer. Gaultieri made a rookie error when he came into the pits on lap seven after responding to a black and orange flag that was actually intended for Stephen Tsalavoutas (E36 M3), ruining his chances of what would have been a convincing class win.
When the chequered flag came out it was an elated Fameliaris who claimed his first Overall and class B victory in the series. Sing held on for second position ahead of Giannoccaro, but it was fourth placed Robertson who picked up third position after Giannoccaro was penalised thirty seconds after being judged to have jumped the start. Martinelli was hassled all the way to the line but held on for the class C victory ahead of Dodd. Reynolds had to work hard for the victory in class D but was able to keep Salt at bay to claim his first victory in the series in only his first race event. Grobler did enough to claim the honours in class E.
Race 1 Results by class
Class A
Mishal Sing – Best lap: 1:09.815
Devin Robertson – Best lap: 1:08.958
Ricky Giannoccaro – Best lap: 1:09.526
Class B
Julian Fameliaris – Best lap: 1:09.320
Darren Winterboer – Best lap: 1:10.198
Riaan Woest – Best lap: 1:11.038
Class C
Stefano Martinelli – Best lap: 1:13.670
Warren Dodd – Best lap: 1:13.853
Dimitrios Tsimenoglou – Best lap: 1:15.402
Class D
Neil Reynolds – Best lap: 1:18.174
Mike Salt – Best lap: 1:17.772
Trevor Long – Best lap: 1:18.152
Class E
Mike Grobler – Best lap: 1:23.117
Alan Hilligenn – Best lap: 1:23.527
Martinelli was always going to be tough to beat in class C
Race 2
Grobler showed some of his old form to take the honours in class E
A reverse grid by class for the second race was sure to set the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons. Arri van Heerden (E30 2.7) got off to a disastrous start when he ran off the track on the warm up lap. There were no such worries for the rest of the pack however. When the lights went out it was a mad rush into the first few corners as the field jockeyed for position.
Sing emerged onto the back straight in the lead with Robertson in tow. Jimmy Giannoccaro (E46 M3 Ti) had slotted into third position with Manny Ribeiro (E36 M3), Winterboer and Giannoccaro Junior in hot pursuit. Sing and Robertson were side by side as they came onto the main straight for the first time, with Robertson grabbing the lead with a bold move through turn two. The class C battle was also starting to develop into a rather heated affair. Dimitrios Tsimenoglou (E36 M3) had grabbed the lead ahead of Dodd and Martinelli and was driving what must have been the widest BMW in the field.
With the leaders opening up a gap out in front, the battle behind them was far from over. Winterboer picked up fourth position from Ribeiro on lap four and then proceeded to grab third from Giannoccaro Senior a lap later. Ribeiro then got past the veteran on the next lap and brought Fameliaris along with him. The class C front runners were getting desperate and it showed on the sixth lap. Dodd succumbed to the pressure as he spun exiting turn one. Tsimenoglou then followed suit as he spun out in a cloud of dust coming onto the back straight, handing the class lead to a relieved Martinelli. Gaultieri was out to silence his critics as he broke away from the rest of the class D pack to make the race his own.
More drama struck on the seventh lap when race leader Robertson got tangled up with one of the back markers who appeared not to notice the leaders coming through. The pair spun out with Robertson able to rejoin the race, albeit quite a way behind new race leader Sing. The battle behind the leaders continued with Fameliaris fighting his way past Ribeiro on the penultimate lap of the race.
Sing crossed the line to take the chequered flag ahead of a recovered Robertson. This victory was short lived however when Sing was judged to have jumped the start, dropping him back to seventh position overall. Robertson inherited the victory with Winterboer taking second position and first in class B ahead of Fameliaris. Martinelli took an untroubled win in class C with Gaultieri putting in an impressive performance to romp home to claim the honours in class D. Once again Grobler came home to take the double in class E.
Race 2 Results by class
Class A
Devin Robertson – Best lap: 1:09.218
Ricky Giannoccaro – Best lap: 1:10.566
Mishal Sing – Best lap: 1:09.425
Class B
Darren Winterboer – Best lap: 1:10.794
Julian Fameliaris – Best lap: 1:10.675
Manny Ribeiro – Best lap: 1:11.564
Class C
Stefano Martinelli – Best lap: 1:14.298
Warren Dodd – Best lap: 1:14.076
Shane Grobler – Best lap: 1:17.234
Class D
Lorenzo Gaultieri – Best lap: 1:16.200
Bevan Meyer – Best lap: 1:18.971
Mike Salt – Best lap: 1:17.524
Class E
Mike Grobler – Best lap: 1:22.990
Alan Hilligenn – Best lap: 1:23.272
Robertson was gifted the victory in race two
The fifth round of the championship will head to the dusty plains of the Phakisa Freeway on the 18th of July in what is expected to be an action packed day of racing with the KZN based GT Supercup joining the series on the day.
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.
The Bridgestone BMW Club Racing Series will head to the rustic Midvaal Raceway on 20 June for the fourth round of the 2015 racing season. With three exciting rounds behind them, this ever popular racing series will be joining the Northern Regions Racing Tour for an action packed race day with no less than eight categories racing on the day.
With the overall and individual class championships well underway, the racing is expected to be fast and furious. Recent upgrades to the track surface have also enticed a few series stalwarts to dust off the cobwebs to add a bit of excitement to their respective classes. There are a number of new drivers coming into the series as well and their progress will be watched with great interest.
The Individual class battles
Sing will be looking to be the leader of the pack once again
Mishal Sing (E92 M3) has had a strong start to the season and currently leads the Overall and class A championships. Devin Robertson (E90 320i Turbo) scored valuable points at the previous event but is still thirty points behind the current leader. The welcome return of the Giannoccaro family at the previous event has also put them in the hunt, and with some long awaited improvements to their machines they are expected to be strong contenders on the day. Ricky Giannoccaro (E46 M3 GTR) is mere points behind Robertson, with father Jimmy Giannoccaro (E46 M3 Ti Turbo) a solitary point behind him. Gianni Giannoccaro (E46 M3) has revived his beast in more ways than one and could well challenge for an outright victory on the day.
Riaan Woest (E46 M3) currently tops the points table amongst the class B contenders. He has a narrow nine point advantage over talented youngster Julian Fameliaris (E36 328i Turbo) who is quickly coming to terms with the turbo charged power of his car this season. Zimbabwean faithful Darren Winterboer (F30 335i) will be back to prove a point and could well challenge for a class victory as well. Dino Fameliaris (E36 328i Turbo) will also be looking to find some of the form he displayed so much of last season.
The class C contenders have certainly stepped up to the plate this season with some of the best racing of the entire series coming from this class. Feroz Ebrahim (E46 M3 GTR) finds himself at the top of the pile, albeit five points ahead of Fred Kruger (E46 M3). Stefano Martinelli (E36 328i) is hot on their heels with Johan Dreyer (E46 330i) only a few points behind him. Shane Grobler (E36 328i) will be back to prove a point with Noordeen Sing (E30 325i) expected to give a strong challenge in his entry as well. With a handful of other capable drivers in the class, valuable points will be strongly contested.
Woest will be looking to hold onto the class B lead
The class D title chase has also seen its fair share of exciting moments in the early stages of the season. Arri van Heerden (E30 2.7) is the man to beat. He currently has a seven point lead over seasoned campaigner Mike Salt (E36 323i). Series newcomer Craig Ball (E36 328i) finds himself in third position after a brace of good results at the previous race. Mr Consistency Trevor Long (E36 328i) is not too far behind the leading trio but will have to worry about the likes of Edwin Dreyer (E46 M3) and series newcomer Bevan Meyer (E36 325i) who surprised all with his competitiveness at Kyalami. With more than half a dozen other competitors in the class the racing is expected to be closer than ever.
The newly formed Challenge class for near standard cars will see Alan Hilligenn (E36 328i) and Mike Grobler (E36 328i) returning for more fun and games. With only four points separating the pair it is anyone’s race to win or lose. The spec-based class now also welcomes its third protagonist in the form of Jan Eversteijn who has made the step up from the club’s time trial championship.
The Overall title chase
Van Heerden will be on the limit to stay ahead of the class D brat pack
The coveted overall title chase currently lays in favour of class A contender Mish-al Sing (E92 M3) who has an eleven point lead over Riaan Woest (Class B E46 M3). Feroz Ebrahim (Class C E46 M3 GTR) is only two points behind Woest; with class D leader Arri van Heerden (E30 2.7) a mere three points adrift. Fred Kruger (Class C E46 M3), Julian Fameliaris (Class B E36 328i Turbo), Mike Salt (Class D E36 323i) and Stefano Martinelli (Class C E36 328i) are all less than ten points behind the leading quartet and could very well upset the apple cart if they score well in their respective classes.
With more than thirty competitors expected to take to the track in anger on the day, the racing should be closer than ever! Tickets are R50 per person at the gate, or R100 per car if you are a BMW Car Club Gauteng member. You will need to show your club membership card at the gate to qualify.
The Club was formed in 1981 to afford likeminded 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.
