Bridgestone BMW Club Racing Series – Round 04 – Zwartkops – 2021-06-20
The Bridgestone BMW Club Racing Series is back at Zwartkops on Sunday June 20 as part of the Passion for Speed which was to have taken place in January. However, the Covid-19 pandemic is still with us, and therefore long-suffering spectators will not be allowed to witness the usual 2-day feast of motorsport, to which they flocked in such large numbers in years gone by. With no end in sight to this Corona Virus scourge, we can only hope that we will see colour and noise return to the grandstands sooner rather than later.
Just 2 weeks after racing at the Big Z, the Beemers are still hot after two pulsating heats on a chilly day. In Class A Adrian Dalton (Xtra Clothing and Shoes BMW E46 M3 CSL) and William Einkamerer (BTAS BMW E92 335i) shared the wins on June 5 and this time will be joined by Jaki Scheckter in Tony Viana’s original BMW E23 745i and Paolo Cavalieri in the Batmobile BMW E9 3.5 CSL both from the Pablo Clark Racing stable, two welcome additions to the cast, who will generate much excitement.
In Class B Andreas Meier (#TrainedAmateurs BMW E36 STC) will do battle with the usual suspects, Jagger Robertson (Viking/Big Boss Auto BMW E46 M3) and the flamboyant Oz Biagioni (BioPool Maintenance BMW E36 M3), both on yellow cards after a misdemeanour in the previous round, Salvi Gualtieri (SavSpeed BMW E36 328i Turbo), Jan Eversteyn (Viking BMW E46 M3), and Fabio Fedetto (BMW F82 M4). Reigning overall champion and newcomer to the class Nicholas van Zyl (RSR BMW E36 328i Turbo) enjoyed his first outing a fortnight ago and looks to improve. Carlo Garbini (Kimbo Coffee BMW E46 330 Turbo) has decided to sit this round out.
In Class C another busy day seems in store with regulars Nek Makris (BMW E46 328i Turbo), teammates Matthew Wadeley and Renier Smith, both in BMW E36 M3’s, relishing the chance of another no holds barred contest, such as they had two weeks ago. Trevor Long (Roof Surgeon BMW E36 M3), Troy Cohran (Arrow Automotive BMW E36 M3) and Lyle Ramsay (Fuchs Lubricants/Rich Racing BMW E36 330i) should get in on the act too. Alan Hilligenn (C3 Shared Services BMW E36 M3) is new to the Class C ranks having made his debut at the beginning of the month but will soon get on terms with the rest.
In Class D, Neil Reynolds (Valve Hospital BMW E36 M3) will likely miss his old sparring partner Hilligenn, but new arrival Manny Ribeiro (Bridgestone/BMW Club E46 325i Touring Track Taxi) and regulars Shane Grobler (Mayfair Gearbox BMW E30 325i), and Bernard de Gouveia (de Gouveia Accountants BMW E36 328i) will give him an equally hard time. Father and son duo Craig and Nicholas Herbst are also back sharing the Greenhouse Solar BMW E46 330i, after not racing last time out with a broken diff to which they fell foul in qualifying. Varish Ganpath (Prodigy E46 325ci) looks to be the man to beat after a double victory at the previous round.
Class E will see Nicholas Fischer (Inside Active Group BMW E36 328i) line up against Thomas Potgieter (Stonehill Properties BMW E87 128i) and Mike Grobler (Grobler Racing BMW E36 328i). Hein van der Merwe (Stigworx BMW E36 325i) will be hoping to follow up his maiden in heat 1 two weeks ago.
Two names of long standing in local circuit racing will join the field, with their respective classes to be determined post qualifying. Graeme Nathan will pilot a BMW 2002, while Roelf du Plessis, more synonymous with V8’s in days gone by, will drive the Peter Kaye Eddie entered Shadowline BMW E30 325i, another of Tony Viana’s regular cars. Arri van Heerden, also in a BMW E30 325i, has done time trials in the last few years but returns to competitive action after a long absence.
Both races will be live streamed with links to be provided on race day on the Zwartkops Raceway and BMW Car Club Gauteng Facebook pages.
Story by Tony Alves
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BMW Car Club Gauteng
Website: www.bmwcarclub.co.za
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