It’s back to the Goldfields for the BMW ///M Performance Race Series

BMW ///M Performance Parts Race Series – Round 07 – Phakisa Freeway – 2022-09-10

Two months after visiting the Phakisa Freeway in the dead of winter, the BMW ///M Performance Race Series has again been enticed to repeat the feat on 10 September when the Extreme Festival and Phakisa 200 roll into the former Grand Prix venue with a full day’s programme. An ever more abrasive track surface after 8 weeks of dry and cold weather may play an important part in the many battles that will unfold.

In Class A Fabio Fedetto ( F82 M4) leads the championship standings, by virtue of sheer consistency as much as a lack thereof in his fellow combatants. William Einkamerer (BTAS BMW E92 335i) has had a wretched run of form with mechanical issues side-lining him. He is still second ahead of Thomas Potgieter (Stonehill Properties BMW F82 M4) who only recently made the step up to the class when he opted for slick tyres at the Zwartkops round in June. Arrie van der Berg (A & A Dealings BMW E36 M3 Turbo) continues his apprenticeship at the sharp end and lies fifth in the table behind Adrian Dalton (Xtra Clothing and Shoes BMW E46 CSL Turbo) who has opted to race on occasion only.

Class A: William Einkamerer (BTAS E92 335i)

 

In Class B Andreas Meier (#TrainedAmateurs E36 STC), always with his eye on the bigger overall picture, leads Jagger Robertson (Viking Mining/Big Boss Auto/Liqui Moly BMW E46 M3) who clinched a solid win at Phakisa in race 2 last time out in July. Carlo Garbini (Kimbo Coffee BMW E46 328i Turbo) has had his share of mechanical mishaps but is third and will look to put a decent run of results together on the home stretch of the championship. Jan Eversteyn (African Surprise BMW E46 M3) has missed the odd round due to business commitments but nevertheless looked his aggressive best at Phakisa in round 6. He is fourth in the Class B table ahead of Salvi Gualtieri (Savspeed/Eataly Foods BMW E36 328i Turbo) who himself has missed the odd round. However, a strong performance at the Goldfields in July should encourage him come back and do it again. Father and son duo Sav and Lorenzo Gualtieri will share the Savspeed BMW E46 328I Turbo) in Class B driving a heat apiece. Lyle Ramsay (Rich Racing/Fuchs Lubricants BMW E36 330i) has also found the going tough since making the step up to Class B but should be up to the challenge. Alan Hilligenn is looking to turn his season around in the immaculately prepared C3 Shared Services BMW E46 328i Turbo. Other Class B regulars who may make the trip for round 7 are Oz Biagioni (Design Lab/VR Fuels BMW E46 M3), Mark Jones (SavSpeed BMW E90 335i) and former champion Nek Makris (BMW E46 335i).

Class B: Jan Eversteyn (African Surprise E46 M3)

 

In Class C Renier Smith (BMW E36 M3) has built a bit of a lead with Mish-al Sing (Tune-Tech BMW E30 325is) in second spot with a bigger deficit, having missed the first visit to the Free State in July. Trevor Long (Roof Surgeon/Big Boss Auto E36 M3) has been a model of consistency this season and is third in the title chase with Hein van der Merwe (Stigworx BMW E36 325i Turbo) in fourth place. Varish Ganpath (Prodigy BMW E46 330ci Turbo) and Dawie Olivier are next up the former having joined the Class C ranks recently after breaking out of Class D. The latter seems to have found the sweet spot on his International Race Supplies BMW E30 M3 and won the last heat at Phakisa. He will be brimming with confidence this time round. The evergreen Troy Cochran (Arrow Automotive/NGK/ATE BMW E36 M3) is always good for a solid performance, and in seventh place leads Matthew Wadeley who seems to have drifted more into the management side of the series. Newcomer Dewit Oosthuizen (Share Tracking/Spanjaard/Jonesway Tools BMW E92 M3) continues his apprenticeship in a very busy and competitive group.

Class C: Dewit Oosthuizen (Share Tracking/Spanjaard/Jonesway Tools BMW E92 M3)

 

In Class D Shane Grobler (Mayfair Gearbox BMW E30 330i) heads another fiercely contested championship battle, with Craig Herbst (Victron Energy BMW E46 330i) an excellent second just ahead of Manny Ribeiro (BMW Car Club Gauteng BMW E46 330i Touring) and Bernard de Gouveia (De Gouveia Accountants BMW E46 330cs). Nicholas Herbst (Greenhouse E90 330i) is within shouting distance of those ahead of him, with Arri van Heerden (V-Tech Motorsport BMW E30 325i) and Anand Naidu (SA Autotech BMW E36 M3) next up.

Class D: Bernard de Gouveia (De Gouveia Accountants BMW E46 330cs)

 

Nicholas Fischer (Inside Active Group E36 328i) leads the Class E contest and the overall championship with 4 rounds remaining. Mike Grobler (BMW E36/7 Z3 2.8) in second and recovering after an operation, will sadly miss this round, but will remain in the thoughts of those racing on the day. Rookie Dave Rehse (D&K Racing BMW E36 328i) is third. No knives will be out for Bertie Rietveld (Rietveldknives.com BMW E36 330i) whose presence is always welcome, although he is out of championship contention having missed a few rounds this year. 

Class E: David Rehse (D&K Racing BMW E36 328i)

 

In the overall championship picture, as mentioned above Nicholas Fischer (105 pts) leads from Andreas Meier (86 pts), with Shane Grobler (80 pts) also firmly in the chase. Renier Smith (78 pts), Jagger Robertson (71 pts) and Carlo Garbini (67pts) complete the top six, but with 4 rounds remaining many twists and turns will be added to the plot before the final chapter.

Points Table per Class

Class A:

1. Fabio Fedetto – 60

2. William Einkamerer – 50

3. Thomas Potgieter 45.1

Class B:

1. Andreas Meier – 86

2. Jagger Robertson – 71        

3. Carlo Garbini – 67

Class C:

1. Renier Smith – 79

2. Mish-Al Singh – 57  

3. Tevor Long – 57

Class D:

1. Shane Grobler – 80

2. Craig Herbst – 65

3. Manny Ribeiro – 60

Class E:

1. Nicholas Fischer – 105

2. Mike Grobler – 43

3. Dave Rehse – 25

The BMW ///M Performance Race Series will share the stage at Phakisa with DOE Formula Vee, Lotus Challenge, PABAR VW Challenge, NSCC, On Track Clubmans Racing. The Car Care Clinic 111/GT Sports and Saloons, and Superhatch which will contest the Phakisa 200.          

Story by Tony Alves

 

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

Media requests can be directed to: media@racepics.co.za

 

BMW Car Club Gauteng

Website: https://www.bmwclubs.africa/ccgtn/

Facebook: BMW Car Club Gauteng

Twitter: @BMWCarClubGP

Print Friendly, PDF & Email