The Bridgestone BMW Club Racing Series will return to the revamped Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit on Saturday 29 October for the first time since this historic motorsport venue’s reopening. This is the format where the ground-breaking series was born- it promises to be the biggest event in the clubs history
A bumper field of entries is expected to line up on the grid for this event with a few old favourites returning to the fray as well. Julian Fameliaris (E36 328i Turbo) wrapped up the class A Championship at the previous Inland Championship event but still has some work to do if he intends on taking the Overall Bridgestone BMW Club Racing Series Championship title. His cousin Dino Fameliaris (E36 M3 Turbo) has moved up to second place in class A but can expect to be under pressure from the likes of Manny Ribeiro (E46 328i Turbo). Carlo Garbini (E46 328i Turbo) is expected to make a welcome return while Darren Winterboer (F30 335i Turbo) is scheduled to make his second appearance of the year as well.
Riaan Woest (E46 M3 GTR) heads up the class B battle but can expect to have his hands full with the likes of Rick Loureiro (E30 3.2 CSL), Jorge Estrela (E36 328i Turbo) and Stefano Martinelli (E36 328i Turbo) who are all capable of a podium position. Young Willie Erasmus (E36 M3) was bumped up to class B after breaking out of class C at the previous event. Another surprise entry to the class is SA racing legend Robbi Smith (E30 3.2) who could well upset the established drivers in the class
Lorenzo Gaultieri (E36 328i) has given himself some breathing room at the top of the class C points log but can’t afford to rest on his laurels. Mish-al Sing (E30 325is) is only nine points behind him while drivers like Andreas Meier (E36 M3) and Philip Smit (E46 M3) are still very much a threat. The biggest class in the series will be bolstered even more by some special entries. Bruce Turner (E36 328i Turbo) returns to the series that he started his racing career in while multiple SA champion Graeme Nathan (E9 3.0 CSL) will make a guest appearance as well
Troy Cochran (E46 325ti) has all but sewn up the class D title and will be looking to stay ahead of Andy Smith (E36 318is Turbo) and Edwin Dreyer (E46 M3). Bevan Meyer (E36 325i) and Neil Reynolds (E39 M5) are expected to make a welcome return to the series
Mike Dodd (E36 318i) will be looking forward to having a bit of opposition in class E as former class D champion Mike Salt (E36 318i) returns to the new entry-level stock class
With nonstop action on the cards this is one event that should not be missed!