There was certainly no lack of action throughout the Extreme Festival’s regional roster outing at Zwartkops Raceway this past weekend (11-12 September).
The race day programme commenced with the BMW ///M Performance Parts Race Series’ Turbo Cup. While Lee Thompson (BMW E92 M3 Turbo GT) again dominated proceedings in Class A, it did not come without a strong fightback from points leader Anton Pommersheim (BMW E46 M3 Turbo), who took the runner-up spot in both races. Bob Neill (BMW E92 M3 Turbo), back after missing the last round, completed both podiums. In Class B, Ethan Coetzee (BMW F30 340i Turbo) and his main rival, Renier Smith (BMW E36 M3 Turbo), shared the wins. The latter struggled with mechanical issues in Race 1, which saw Coetzee beat Wessel Mostert (BMW E46 M3 Turbo) and Oz Biagioni (BMW E46 M3 Turbo). In Race 2, Coetzee and Mostert trailed Smith over the line. It was all-Nicky Dicks (BMW E36 M3 Turbo) in Class C with two race wins. The first podium was completed by Bennie Luyt (BMW E46 M3 Turbo) and Anand Naidu (BMW F80 M3). Dicks had an easy time of it again in Race 2, while Reinhardt Miller (BMW E36 M3 Turbo) held off Hein van der Merwe (BMW E36 328i Turbo) in their battle for the runner-up spot. Craig Herbst (BMW E92 335i) took both the Class D wins. In Race 1, second-placed finisher Michael Grobler (BMW E46 330i Turbo) broke out, which promoted Johan Miller (BMW E36 325i Turbo) and Theo Chetty (BMW G87 M2). Chetty again featured on the podium later in the day, this time with Gerald Anthoney (BMW F82 M4 Turbo) in second place.
In the NA Cup, it was the points leader, Andre van Vuuren (BMW E36 M3) who started the day with the Class B win over Richard Gerntholtz (BMW E30 M3) and Olerato Sekudu (BMW E36 M3). However, in Race 2, Van Vuuren had to settle for third as Bernard de Gouveia (BMW E46 M3) took his first win of the season, beating Gerntholtz in a good tussle. Ruan van der Walt (BMW E36 330i) took the first Class C win, with Cobus Bohmer (BMW E12 540i) holding off Nicholas Herbst (BMW E90 330i) for the runner-up spot. Claudio Jardim (BMW E36 330i) beat Philip Mostert Jnr (BMW E36 330ci) and Kent Swartz (BMW E46 330i) in Race 2, but only after early leader Herbst retired with mechanical issues. Chloe Stuart (BMW E46 330i) took her maiden Class D win when she beat Reinhardt Miller (BMW E30 325i) and Justin Brown (BMW E36 M3) in Race 1. She was on course for another strong Race 2 finish, before becoming one of quite a few spinners due to a very slippery surface. This saw debutant Trent Williams (BMW E90 330i) beat Miller and Craig Platt (BMW E46 330i).
It was a double win for Anthony Lessing (Volkswagen Polo) over Christopher Tait (Volkswagen Polo) in Class A of the ATE VW Challenge. The respective podiums were completed by Francis Aldrich (Volkswagen Polo) and Josh Moore (Volkswagen Polo). Luke Hill (Volkswagen Polo) was the sole Class T competitor. Keegan Nathan (Volkswagen Polo) also made it two wins in Class B, both with a comfortable margin. In Race 1, Sebastian Boulliart (Volkswagen Polo) held off Keyaan Dwomoh (Volkswagen Polo). Dwomoh went one better in Race 2, with Max Corbett (Volkswagen Polo) completing the podium. Bryce Pillay (Volkswagen Polo) also made it two Class C wins, beating Elna Croeser (Volkswagen Polo) in Race 1, where Stuart Konig (Volkswagen Polo) completed the podium. Konig took the Race 2 runner-up spot following a good battle with Pillay, with Andy Gossman (Volkswagen Polo) finishing third.
As always, the DOE Formula Vee Partnered With CIM Lubricants brigade produced two thrilling races. In the opening heat, MD Bester (Rhema 2) used his pole position to full advantage to take his first win of the season. He was followed over the line by Kyle Watt (Rhema 2) and Peter Hills (Rhema 2), the Mangaza Racing teammates separated by less than four-tenths of a second at the flag. It looked like Bester was on track for another win in the second heat, but contact between him, Hills and Theodore Vermaak (Forza) brought out the red flags while the cars were removed from the gravel trap at Turn 2. The restart was cut short when Anton van der Merwe (HR-1) spun going through Turn 1, and Reynard van der Linde (Rhema 1) could not avoid the spinning car. When the two parts of the race were combined, Watt emerged on top, ahead of Jaco Schriks (Rhema 2) and Shaun van der Linde(Rhema 2).
The DigitFMS 111 & GT Sports & Saloons, combined with SuperHatch, brigade delivered a fair share of action throughout the day.
Wayne Robb (Ford Focus (ST) took the first Class GTA win from series-debutant Tyler Robinson, who competed in the left-hand drive Volkswagen Polo SupaCup, similar to what she’s racing in Polo Cup Germany. In Race 2, she became the maiden female GT Sports & Saloons winner, beating Jarred Rossouw (Volkswagen Polo SupaCup). Mark du Toit (BMW Z4M) completed both podiums. Jonathan Visser (Volkswagen Polo) beat Wayne Spicer (Volkswagen Polo) twice in Class GTB. In Race 1, Shaun Holtzhausen (Honda CRX) was also classified, although he completed only five laps.
Craig Priestley (Volkswagen Polo) took both the 111 Sports & Saloons Class A wins, with Ernest Heather (Volkswagen Polo) and Lindsay Clur (Volkswagen Golf) trading the runner-up spots. It was a similar affair in Class B, where Piet Potgieter (Volkswagen Golf) took both wins, and the other two podium spots were alternated by Mike O’Sullivan (Honda Ballade) and JA Freckleton (Volkswagen Golf). Henry van Vledder (Volkswagen Golf) battled it out for the Class C win over Rob Clark (Honda Ballade), with Elke van Vledder (Volkswagen Golf) completing the podium. Johan Willemse (Volkswagen Golf) held off Henry and Elke van Vledder in Race 2. Class X saw Ismail Peck (BMW 330i) take both Class X wins from Mark Harvey (Porsche 944 Turbo), who made a comeback after four years. Ian Gilley (BMW 130) and Kyle Shepherd (Volkswagen Polo) completed the respective podiums.
In SuperHatch, Arthur Thorne (Volkswagen Polo) beat Keith Meintjies (Renault Sandero) in both Class T1 races. Leon Bredenkamp (Honda Civic), Nico Biela, and George Aldrich (Peugeot 206 GTI) completed the Class T2 podium in both races. Karel Stols (Toyota Etios) won Class A both times. Mark du Toit (BMW 118i) and Deiyan Moodley (Renault Clio) completed the Race 1 podium. Moodley again took the runner-up spot in Race 2, with Ismael Baloyi (Honda Civic) finishing third.
The Dunlop V8 Supercars championship momentum changed again. Defending champion Warren Lombard (Ford Mustang) took the first win from points leader Thomas Reib (Chevrolet Corvette) and Terry Wilford (Ford Mustang). In Race 2, Reib was an early retiree, with Wilford beating Lombard to the line, while Sam Dahl (Ford Falcon) completed the podium.
The Extreme Festival tour will conclude its coastal rounds this coming weekend (18-19 September) at the Killarney International Raceway, with the national roster competing in the Cape Town Extreme Festival Round in association with the City of Cape Town, and with Smile FM as the official radio partner. The regional roster’s next outing will be at Red Star Raceway on 9-10 October.