BMW ///M Performance Parts Race Series – Round 04 – Red Star – 2022-05-14

More than 2 months since its last visit, the BMW M Performance Parts Race Series resumes the championship quest at Red Star Raceway and its biggest field ever at this venue will add much to a packed programme on 14 May.

In Class A William Einkamerer (BTAS BMW E92 335i) has had a difficult start to the season plagued by mechanical problems but the second half of the year should yield better results. Fabio Fedetto (BMW F82 M4) is also on the starting grid and should make an impression. Newcomer Arrie van der Berg (A&A Dealings BMW E36 M3 Turbo) has shown speed enthusiasm and determination.

In Class B a competitive ensemble has delivered thrilling racing thus far and will continue doing so. Carlo Garbini (Kimbo Coffee BMW E46 328i Turbo) has 3 wins on the board and is third in the overall standings after 4 rounds. Reigning champion Andreas Meier (#TrainedAmateurs BMW E36 STC) has also been hampered by mechanical gremlins but nevertheless has 2 wins in Class on the board and is second in the overall standings. Brothers Sav (Savspeed BMW E46 328i Turbo) and Salvi Gualtieri (Savspeed/Eataly Foods BMW E36 328i Turbo) are also making the trip to the far east and are always a threat. Oz Biagioni (Design Lab/VR Fuels BMW E46 M3) was absent at RSR in March but is back to take on the challenge.  After his frightful accident back in March, Thomas Potgieter (Stone Hill Properties BMW F82 M4) is looking forward to a better weekend in Delmas. Jagger Robertson (Big Boss Auto/LiquiMoly/Viking BMW E46 M3) is also back in the absence of a date clash with national championship obligations. Former champion Nicholas van Zyl (Black Jack Pawn & Bargain BMW E36 328i Turbo) hopes to have sorted out recent reliability issues to haul in some much-needed points.  Alan Hilligenn (C3 Shared Services BMW E46 328i Turbo) will not have fond memories of his last outing at this track and wants a strong result to erase them. Jan Eversteyn is not on the grid because of business commitments.

In Class C, Mish Al Sing has set a high bar this year and leads the Class in the replica Tune Tech Winfield BMW E30 325is. Renier Smith (BMW E36 M3 Turbo) and Trevor Long (Roof Surgeon/Big Boss Auto BMW E36 M3) are hot on his heels, however, with Hein van der Merwe (Stigworx BMW 328i Turbo) and Lyle Ramsay (Rich Racing/Fuchs Lubricants BMW E36 330i) also in the hunt for championship points and possible wins. Matthew Wadeley (BMW E36 M3) has repaired his trusty steed which was extensively damaged at Kyalami and is back to get his season on track. Nek Makris has not been able to finish changes to his chariot and will sit this round out. Troy Cochran (Arrow Automotive/ATE/NGK BMW E36 M3) put in a strong performance at RSR back in March and will likely do the same this time.

In Class D Shane Grobler (Mayfair Gearbox BMW E30 330i) leads the points standings from Manny Ribeiro, (BMW Car Club Gauteng BMW E46 330i Touring) with father and son duo Craig (Victron Energy BMW E46 330i) and Nicholas Herbst (Greenhouse BMW E90 330i) next up. Varish Ganpath (Prodigy BMW E46 330ci Turbo) has some work to do to get on terms with them while Vigen Naidu pilots the the immaculate SA Auto Tech BMW E36 M3 Turbo. Arri van Heerden (V-Tech Motorsport BMW E30 325i) is also back in the mix after missing round 3, as is another season newcomer Riaan Lubbe (BMW E36 328i) who had a fruitless outing at Red Star Raceway in March.

In Class E Nicholas Fischer (InSide Active Group BMW E36 328i) has been a model of consistency thus far and his reward is the class and more importantly overall lead in the championship. While he’d like to maintain the status quo Bernard de Gouveia may have other ideas, especially since he will put his new De Gouveia Accountants BMW E46 330cs through its paces, albeit without prior testing. Bertie Rietveld (Bertie Rietveld Knives BMW E36 330i) has returned to the fold and so too has Mike Grobler (Grobler Motorsport BMW E46 328i), both of whom are capable of solid points finishes and indeed a win on the day. Shaun Dodd had a lone outing at Zwartkops in late January and returns in the MSW Motorsport BMW E36 328i. Spiro Makris is also back in an BMW E36 328i.

A slew of new names will swell the Class E ranks further but will be given class berths after qualifying. Dave Rehse (D&K Racing BMW E36 328i), and Dewit Oosthuisen (Share Tracking/Spanjaard BMW E92 M3) have joined the cast. No less than three Durbanites are embelishing the field. Anand Naidu (SA Autotech BMW E36 M3), brother of Vigen Naidu, made his debut at Kyalami and is a welcome addition to the grid. Another rookie Nishal Singh has entered the fray in Shane Grobler’s old BMW E36, while fellow debutante Nick Naidoo pilots the Warden’s Cartage BMW E82 1M. Brimming as it is with entries old and new, Class E will be anything but a sideshow.     

Saturday’s fourth round of the 2022 BMW M Performance Parts Race Series will consist of two eight-lap races. A timetable for the Extreme Festival will be released closer to the weekend. For spectator information, please contact Red Star Raceway directly at +27 76 624 6972 or management@redstarraceway.co.za.

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