BMW ///M Performance Parts Race Series – Round 06 – Phakisa Freeway – 2022-07-16

The BMW Car Club Gauteng will host a full day of racing entertainment at the Phakisa Freeway on Saturday 16 July, when no less than six racing categories will roll into the circuit with racing from morning to late afternoon.

The BMW ///M Performance Parts Race Series takes top billing for what should be two thrilling heats at a venue where every driver likes to test their skills on this iconic grandprix circuit.

In the championship stakes by class, in Class A William Einkamerer (BTAS BMW E92 335i) leads, despite a non-event at the last round at Zwartkops when a blown motor in practice cut his weekend short. Fabio Fedetto (BMW F82 M4) is second, with Adrian Dalton (XTRA Shoes and Clothing BMW E46 M3 CSL Turbo) in third spot. Thomas Potgieter elected to fit slicks to his Stone Hill Properties BMW F82 M4 in race 2 of the last round at Zwartkops, which automatically promoted him to Class A. He did not break out of the Class as previously reported and will henceforth do battle in the top division. Newcomer Arrie van der Berg (A & A Dealings BMW E36 M3 Turbo) is fifth in the standings and took a win in heat 1 at Zwartkops.

In Class B Andreas Meier (#TrainedAmateurs BMW E36 STC) leads from Carlo Garbini (Kimbo Coffee BMW E46 328i Turbo), both of whom have been hampered somewhat by mechanical issues but are nevertheless the form men in Class B. Jagger Robertson (Viking Mining/ Big Boss Auto/ Liqui Moly BMW E46 M3) lies in an excellent third place. Jan Eversteyn (Viking Mining BMW E46 M3) has skipped the last two events owing to business commitments and may return at Phakisa. Nicholas van Zyl (Blackjack Pawn & Bargain BMW E36 328i Turbo) is ever improving and lies fifth in the log, but his participation in the remainder of the season is in doubt. He is ahead of Lyle Ramsay (Rich Racing/ Fuchs Lubricants BMW E36 330i) a recent addition to the ranks after two break outs from Class C. Oz Biagioni (Design Lab/ VR Fuels BMW E36 M3) and Salvi Gualtieri (Savspeed/ Eataly Foods BMW E36 328i Turbo) are two other veterans looking to claw their way up the ladder with Alan Hilligenn (C3 Share Services BMW E46 328i Turbo) also hoping to string together some good results in the remaining rounds of the championship. Last but not least motoring scribe Mark Jones will also race in a Savspeed BMW E90 335i.

In Class C Renier Smith (BMW E36 M3) rules the roost at present, but he has a slew of names breathing down his neck. Mish-Al Sing (TuneTech BMW E30 325is) and Hein van der Merwe (Sitgworx BMW 328i Turbo) have been consistent and competitive this season and lie second and third respectively and the same can be said for Trevor Long (Roof Surgeon /Big Boss Auto BMW E36 M3) a stalwart in the ranks. Two other veterans Matthew Wadeley (Groupworx BMW E36 M3) and Troy Cochran (Arrow Automotive/ ATE/ NGK BMW E36 M3) are next up and they too have shown good form to take them into the second half of the season. Dawie Olivier (International Race Supplies BMW E30 M3) returned to the fold at Zwartkops and hopes to be a thorn in everyone’s side going forward. Vigen Naidu (SA Auto Tech BMW E36 M3 Turbo) and Dewit Oosthuizen (ShareTrackin/ Spanjaard/ Jonnesway Tools BMW E92 M3) have made steady progress in their debut year and a successful Phakisa outing will be a feather in their cap. Rob Gearing also returned at Zwartkops after a two-year absence during which time he rebuilt his BMW E30 325i into an E30 335is and promptly won his first race. A repeat performance is quite likely in the dusty Goldfields.

In Class D Shane Grobler (Mayfair Gearbox BMW E30 330i) has a good lead over Manny Ribeiro (BMW Car Club BMW E46 330i Touring) with Craig Herbst (Victron Energy BMW E46 330i) right behind the latter. Nicholas Herbst (Greenhouse Solar BMW E90 330i) lies fourth in the standings, but this leading quartet are all a match for one another and predicting a winner at season’s end is a fool’s errand. Varish Ganpath (Prodigy BMW E46 330Ci Turbo) did not take part at the last round but should be back at Phakisa to improve on his fifth place in the log at present. Arri van Heerden (V-Tech BMW E30 325i) has strung a few appearances together of late and is also no stranger to Phakisa. Anand Naidu (SA Autotech BMW E36 M3) has also raced on occasion this year and is no stranger to Phakisa.

Class E has a clear leader at present who also happens to be leading the overall championship. Nicholas Fischer (Inside Active Group BMW E36 328i) has been a model of consistency thus far with Bernard de Gouveia (De Gouveia Accountants BMW E46 330cs) sitting in second spot at the moment, his new car a much-needed boost for the club chairman. Mike Grobler in a new Grobler Motorsport BMW E36/7 Z3 2.8 and lies third in the table still capable of upsetting the apple cart. David Rehse (D&K Racing BMW E36 328i) scored his first points at Zwartkops in the previous round and is another rookie putting some racing miles under his belt. Nick Naidoo (Warden’s Cartage BMW E82 1M) returns after making his debut at Red Star earlier in the season. Depending on lap times in practice and qualifying he may find a berth further up the grid.

In the overall championship Nicholas Fischer on 85 points leads Andreas Meier on 71, and Shane Grobler on 66. Renier Smith on 63 points, Carlo Garbini on 58 and Mish-Al Sing on 57 complete the top six overall places.Class Points heading into Round 6

Saturday’s BMW Car Club Gauteng Race Day at Phakisa will also feature races for Formula Monoposto, Roofsure Midvaal Historics, Desco Silvercup 2.0, and Ben Morgenrood HRSA Racing which include the Historic Saloons, Sports & GT and Pursuit categories.

Entrance on the day for spectators is free of charge.

Story by Tony Alves

Report and Event Photographs: www.RacePics.co.za

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