Tag: Vaalridge Auto

BMW CCG Club Racing Series – Round 6 – Midvaal

Greg ReillyBMW Car Club Gauteng, BMW Club Racing Series, Midvaal Raceway, Race Reports
Last weekend saw this popular club series thrill the small crowd that gathered at the Midvaal circuit in Meyerton. Two races were hosted on the Vaalridge Auto BMW Track and Race day, an event that the BMW Car Club and Michael Broom Motorsport put on for their members. An absence of some familiar names allowed the dedicated drivers who entered to scoop the big class points on offer giving them a slight advantage before the final two rounds. BMW Car Club Gauteng
Technical failures put the current championship leader Carlo Garbini (E46 M3) out of contention before qualifying, leaving the title fight wide open. Shane Grobler (E36 328i) and Warren Dodd (E36 325i) also suffered with oil pump and gearbox problems respectively- both were on pace in morning practice which left them frustrated that they could not capitalise.
Ricky Giannoccaro (E46 M3 GTR) grabbed the overall and class B pole positions ahead of his father Jimmy Giannoccaro (E46 M3 Ti GTR). Manny Ribeiro (E36 325i Turbo) would start from the second row with class C pace setter Julian Fameliaris (E36 328i) starting alongside him. Johan Dreyer (E46 330i) put in a great effort to grab another front row start in class D.

Race 1
Ricky Giannoccaro was in unbeatable form in his black beast
Ricky Giannoccaro was in unbeatable form in his black beast
 The first race got off to a clean start with the G&H Transport team locking out the front row heading into turn one. Giannoccaro senior ran a bit wide through turn three allowing Ribeiro to shoot past him into second place. A great start from Justin Robertson (E36 328i) saw him grab the class C lead ahead of cousins Julian and Dino Fameliaris (E36 M3).
This was short lived however when a fired up Julian grabbed the class lead on the second lap. The leading trio were fighting just as hard with Giannoccaro senior reclaiming his second position with a great out braking manoeuvre at the end of the back straight on the same lap. Mike Salt (E36 323i) was driving the wheels off of his car to stay ahead of class D rival Johan Dreyer (E46 330i). Dreyer gave Salt some breathing room when he ran wide coming onto the main straight on the fourth lap.
 
Julian Fameliaris drove the wheels off his car to claim the double victory in class C
Julian Fameliaris drove the wheels off his car to claim the double victory in class C
 Dodd managed to get out the pitlane on lap 2 with a gearbox that was replaced in under 30 minutes, but it gave up on him again on lap 7. The rest of class C was as exciting as ever, with Riaan Woest (E36 328i), Daniel Koekemoer (E36 M3) and Stefano Martinelli (E36 328i) all fighting for the same piece of tarmac. After a race long battle Koekemoer managed to find a way past Woest to claim fourth position in the class. Woest lost a further position to Martinelli when the power steering on his car failed on the last lap of the race.
Ricky Giannoccaro romped home to a convincing overall and class B victory ahead of his father Jimmy, with Ribeiro having to settle for third position after his tyres went off in the latter part of the race. Julian Fameliaris powered his way home to take a well deserved class C win with Salt dominating the class D proceedings.
 

Race 1 Class Results

Class A

Class B
  1. Jimmy Giannoccaro – Best lap: 1:11.709
  1. Ricky Giannoccaro – Best lap: 1:10.307
  2. Manny Ribeiro – Best lap: 1:12.390

Class C

Class D
  1. Julian Fameliaris – Best lap: 1:13.105
  2. Justin Robertson – Best lap: 1:14.145
  3. Dino Fameliaris – Best lap: 1:14.253
  1. Mike Salt – Best lap: 1:17.511
  2. Johan Dreyer – Best lap: 1:17.367
  3. Trevor Long – Best lap: 1:20.538

Race 2
Ribeiro was on the limit as he fought for position
Ribeiro was on the limit as he fought for position
 The race 2 grid inversion caused drama at the first turn when Trevor Long (E36 328i) out braked himself heading into the first corner. He somehow managed to avoid most of the field heading through the corner but unfortunately collected an unlucky Julian Fameliaris – thankfully the impact was not to severe and both would be able to continue in the race. This would also set the tone for a comeback drive second to none!

Ribeiro led the way ahead of Giannoccaro Senior with Ricky hot on their heels. Ricky soon grabbed second position from his father with a well timed move coming off the back straight. Lee Jones (E39 M5) took the class C lead with Robertson, a repaired Woest and Martinelli in tow. Once again the class D battle was being fought tooth and nail between Dreyer and Salt.
Ribeiro quite literally threw his chances away on the third lap when he ran wide coming out of the horseshoe. An over-correction sent him across the track and while it looked like he had recovered, a wayward wheel on the grass sent him on an off track excursion that had him off the black stuff alongside the main straight, fighting for control over his car. He did well to save it and re-joined the track with the bit between his teeth to make up the lost ground.
The view that Salt gave the opposition in the first race…
The view that Salt gave the opposition in the first race
 With clear air now ahead of him Ricky set about opening up a gap over his father and the rest of the chasing pack. The class C battle was just as frantic with Jones keeping Robertson and Woest at bay. Julian Fameliaris was driving like a man possessed after his earlier incident and had fought his way back up to fourth position in the class at the half way point in the race! He shot past Woest on lap six to claim third position in class C, and then set about trying to close in on Jones and Robertson. Dino Fameliaris followed his cousin’s example and attacked Woest for fourth position as well.
The class D battle was just as intense as Dreyer and Salt ran side by side down the back straight on the penultimate lap of the race. Julian was driving with experience beyond his years as he scythed past Robertson and then Jones to grab the class C lead on the same lap!
Giannoccaro Junior crossed the line to take the chequered flag for another dominant Overall and class B victory. His proud father Jimmy was happy to claim second place with Ribeiro having to settle for third. Julian Fameliaris crossed the line to take another impressive victory in class C. Mike Salt took the double in class D after Dreyer broke out of the allocated time for the class while he was being pursued by the determined Salt.
 

Race 2 Class Results

Class A

Class B
  1. Jimmy Giannoccaro – Best lap: 1:11.174
  1. Ricky Giannoccaro – Best lap: 1:10.817
  2. Manny Ribeiro – Best lap: 1:11.394

Class C

Class D
  1. Julian Fameliaris – Best lap: 1:13.562
  2. Lee Jones – Best lap: 1:13.966
  3. Justin Robertson – Best lap: 1:14.464
  1. Mike Salt – Best lap: 1:17.003
  2. Trevor Long – Best Lap: 1:21.075
  3. Johan Dreyer – Best lap: 1:15.857 (Break out)
Ricky Giannoccaro’s performance was even more impressive as he not only claimed the Overall and class B race victories, but he also claimed the Driver of the day and Fastest lap of the day Awards!
Ricky Giannoccaro’s performance was even more impressive as he not only claimed the Overall and class B race victories, but he also claimed the Driver of the day and Fastest lap of the day Awards!
The next round of the championship will take place at Zwartkops Raceway on 1 November as part of the MSA Super Series. Some of the teams and drivers will also be entering the 1 hour endurance race at the end of the day, it should be spectacular to watch.

Race Report by Greg Reilly.
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BMW CCG Club Racing Series