Regional Extreme Festival brings defrosting action to Red Star
Fifth round of the regional series produced red hot action and close racing at the Delmas circuit.
Alwyn Steenkamp in his new BMW M4 ran away to win race one of the cars in Classes A, B and C of the BMW ///M Performance Parts category. Photograph: Brandsponential.
Competitors and spectators had to brave icy cold weather at the Red Star Raceway near Delmas on Saturday, when the venue hosted round five of this year's Regional Extreme Festival Presented by Coca-Cola.
Those who did attend were rewarded with a day of spectacular racing, with the circuit now running anti-clockwise, as always during the second half of the season.
BMW M Performance
Top billing belonged to the BMW ///M Performance Parts brigade.
Alwyn Steenkamp arrived at Red Star with a brand new M4 and ran away to win race one of the cars in Classes A, B and C.
He was chased to the flag by Bob Neil (Delmon Mining M3), Renier Smith (Fast Development M3 Turbo) and Nek Makris (335i).
Race two had to be red-flagged after the SavSpeed 328i of Hein van der Merwe lost an oil cooler and created a large slippery line at the end of the pit straight.
ALSO READ: Regional Extreme Festival delivers the magic to Zwartkops faithful
After the restart the victory went to Neil, from Steenkamp, Anton Pommersham (Eagle Granite M4) and Makris.
The first race for Classes D, E and F went to Andre Scheepers van Vuuren (Curvent M4), leading home Class D points leader Bernard de Gouveia (De Gouveia Accountants M3), Eugene Gouws (Master Mowers M3) and Oleratu Sekudu (Rampage Racing M3).
Van Vuuren won race two as well, ahead of Seduku, Troy Cochran (Tyre Mart Boksburg 330i) and de Gouveia.
111 GT Sports and Saloon
The first Ferro Energia race for 111 GT Sports and Saloon Cars victory went to Phillip Meyer (Swiss Hotel School Porsche 944), followed by Wouter Roos (Origen Oil Volkswagen Golf GTI), Jonathan Visser (Auto Express Car Service Volkswagen Polo) and Jarred Rossouw (Nathan's Motorsport Volkswagen SupaPolo).
Marius Truter impressed in his Strategic Gearbox Volkswagen Golf, finishing on the podium of the second Ferro Energia race for 111 GT Sports and Saloon Cars. Photograph: Brandsponential.
Roos won race two ahead of Marius Truter in his super rapid Strategic Gearbox Volkswagen Golf, closely followed by Meyer and Wayne Robb (Ford Focus ST).
Single-seaters
Defending champion Lendl Jansen (Bull Security Rhema) took an easy victory in the opening DOE CIM Lubri Formula Vee race, followed by Gert van den Berg (DOE Parts Rhema), Peter Hills (Mangaza MXTwo Rhema) and Daine Stewart (Direction Management Forza).
Lendl Jansen (Bull Security Rhema) took victory in both the DOE CIM Lubri Formula Vee races. Photograph: Brandsponential.
Jansen won race two as well, again followed by van den Berg and Peter Hills, with Vaughn Hills (Mangaza MXTwo Rhema) in fourth place.
V8 Supercars
Terry Wilford (Fuchs Lubricants Ford Falcon) won the first Dunlop V8 Supercar race from Warren Lombard (Pepboys Automotive Ford Mustang), Thomas Reib (Cafe 9 Automotive Chevrolet Lumina) and Auke Compaan (CIM Lubricants Ford Mustang).
Lombard pitted after the warm-up lap for race two. That left Wilford to lead for six laps before his Falcon slowed and stopped due to electronic maladies.
Reib went on to win, half a lap ahead of Compaan.
Volkswagen Challenge
Wayne Masters (Performance Masters) took the first largely Polo field Ate Volkswagen Challenge race ahead of Jayden Goosen (Ferro Energia), Ian Walker (Melllow Velo) and Mydi Mfana.
Wayne Masters (Performance Masters) took both the Ate Volkswagen Challenge races. Photograph: Brandsponential.
Masters made it a double victory in race two, finishing ahead of Goosen, Walker and lady racer Elna Croeser (Ate Brakes).
Nationals next
The next round of the Extreme Festival Presented by Coca-Cola will be a National event, to take place at the East London Grand Prix circuit on the weekend of Saturday 19 July.
ALSO READ: Kyalami shows its teeth to National and Regional Extreme Festivals
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
15 hours ago
- The Citizen
BMW 7 Series' controversies offset by tech and comfort mastery
Aside from having finally gained the upper hand over its Mercedes-Benz rival, the latest 7 Series also trounces its X7 stablemate when it comes to proper luxury motoring. The BMW 7 Series story a familiar one stretching back to the original E23's unveiling 48 years ago. While within striking range, the proverbial 'close but no cigar' saying always applied to Munich's rival for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class when it came to the topic of 'tomorrow's in-car technology' and comfort today. Impossible pulled-off.. for now Probably sick of hearing about the comparison with the three-pointed star, the blue-and-white roundel seemingly threw everything it had at the G70 in creating the most opulent and controversially styled 7 Series since the Chris Bangle-era E65. ALSO READ: New BMW 7 Series a sensory luxury and tech overload Despite a heavily facelifted version of current W223 S-Class, which, admittedly, did go on-sale in 2020, being launched later this year, the G70, for the time being, has the upper hand by an everything but comfortable margin. Whereas the quiet dropping of the all-electric i7 M60 for the much more powerful M70 just over two years ago has been the biggest updated handed to the G70 so far, the most enduring derivative, arguably, presents the strongest case since its first arrived as part of the second generation E32 in 1992. The most iconic Seven? The direct rival for the S500 ever since the shelving of the 750i, the 740i kicks the South African-market 7 Series off range as one of three engine options available, the others being the M70 and the diesel-powered 740d. Taking a further step back, the 740i also makes do without the xDrive all-wheel-drive system as on its siblings, while deriving motivation from a six-cylinder engine it only adopted in 2008 with the arrival of the fifth generation F01. Part of the 7 Series range since 1992, the G70 740i continues with the use of a six-cylinder engine since the debut of the F01 generation in 2008. Image: Rynhardt Steenkamp While without the shove of its erstwhile battery-operated sibling tested in 2023, or likely the consumption of the still untested 740d, its inclusion as the only petrol-powered 7 Series came with a fair degree of warranting during the seven-day stay. Arriving in the same dour Oxide Silver Metallic paint option as the i7, the 740i, in base Design Pure Excellence grade, proved anything but nondescript. In fact, it came with the rather tough question of whether it can be considered as all the luxury sedan you will need this side of a Rolls-Royce? When controversy works Aesthetically, the Z1-inspired tribute design, no matter how polarising, has started to become more accepted in the same way initial naysayers have started changing their opinions on the M3 and M4. Side profile is typical 7 Series, though the rear is much slimmer than the old G11. Image: Rynhardt Steenkamp That being said, the work of BMW's Head of Design, Domagoj Dukec, will still remain a contentious for some, the split headlight design with Swarovski crystals integrated into the LED diodes, and the oversized kidney grille with the optional illuminated surround BMW calls Iconic Glow being the main talking points. Distinctive nonetheless, the notoriety extends further in the slimmer proportions relative to the preceding G11 when viewed from the rear, plus X4-inspired taillight clusters. Test unit sported decidedly plain-looking 20-inch alloy wheels. Image: Rynhardt Steenkamp The opposite side of the spectrum though are the seemingly plain-looking 20-inch alloy wheels and liberal use of chrome detailing as per the Design Pure Excellence being focused on luxury in comparison to the step-up M Sport. Interior sensory overload This also goes for the interior as opening the doors 'manually' or automatically via the button next to the lock barrel, reveals the now customary minimalist design with most of the functions residing inside the 14.9-inch iDrive infotainment system that makes-up the Curved Display in conjunction with the 12.3-inch instrument cluster. A setup that will require familiarisation, the integration of BMW's older 8.0 operating system means the former still comes with a myriad icons for each function rather than relying on layers upon layers of sub-menus. Consequently, this makes it somewhat easier to use than the latest 8.5 system. At the same time, the positioning of the displays in relation to the driving position makes the rotary dial scroller almost redounded compared to the touchscreen inputs. Interior looks futuristic and minimalistic. Image: Rynhardt Steenkamp As ever, the resolution of the Curved Display is impressive, with another highlight being the optional Augmented Reality camera system displayed within the instrument cluster. In a similar situation to the i7, the test unit sported an odd mix of beige upholstery and carbon fibre inserts. While build quality and fit-and-finish leaves little to be desired, the choice of hue makes for a dated look, not helped by the constant cleaning it will require as evident by the look of the test unit's almost 13 000 km mileage. Ergonomics remain the 7 Series' biggest foible though, and while a fair number of controls reside on the centre console in a touch-sensitive fashion, one of the main irritations is adjusting the air flow of the vents. Sitting on top of the Interaction Bar, the 14.9-inch iDrive infotainment system looks complex, but is relatively easy to use versus BMW's latest systems. Image: Rynhardt Steenkamp Positioned below the dashboard, similar to the new 5 Series, the layout feels awkward and unable to provide a satisfactory flow unless switched to maximum hot or cold. Given the climate control's interface, as well as those for the heated, ventilated and massaging seats being located at the base of the infotainment system, the process can become frustrating compared to a button-centred design. Central to the minimalist look, the so-called Interaction Bar sports a crushed crystal-type effect that changes colour via the ambient lighting system. An aesthetic touch that adds to the futuristic look, it still comes with its own quirks in the form of the touch-sensitive scrollers for the climate control, the mechanism for the glovebox and opening the front doors automatically by means of the icons on the outer edge of the dashboard. About the rear… Unsurprisingly though, the main interest for 7 Series buyers is rear accommodation where, apart from the pair of 5.5-inch displays integrated into the door handles, BMW had fitted the test unit with the mesmerising 31.8-inch 4K Theatre Screen that drops down from the roof, and the lounge theatre heated, ventilated massaging seats. Completing the setup is the sublime 36-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround system co-developed between the firm, BMW and legendary Hollywood composer, Hans Zimmer. The undeniable focal point of the 7 Series, controlling the setup by the pair of door handle-mounted displays comes with a slight caveat in accessing what BMW calls Theare Mode. Rear is where most 7 Series owners will be. Image: Rynhardt Steenkamp While able to control the main infotainment system as well, only the rear passenger's chair can recline fully up to 42.5-degrees, and only with no one sitting in the front. Besides reclining in an ottoman fashion, with added comfort coming from a pair of headrest-mounted pillows, the electric roller blinds also rise automatically, though these can also be lowered individually. As a result of the Theatre Screen's mechanism, an obscure panoramic view with the fixed glass roof open presents itself, though admittedly, this will likely be of little concerns to most owners. Main highlight is the Theatre Mode that reclines the seat seats and lowers the 31.8-inch Theatre Screen. Image: Rynhardt Steenkamp Further focus on the rear comes in the shape of the central armrest that houses a pair cupholders, storage area and a wireless smartphone charging pad. Hardly left out, the front provides a cocoon-type feel despite no lack of space being evident. In fact, the only oddity that will require getting used to, is the two-spoke steering wheel. As part of its other party piece, the 740i's doors can all be opened and closed using the infotainment system, or, as mentioned, by the icons on the dashboard for those at the front. A 5.5-inch display have been integrated into the rear door handles for the various functions ranging from seat adjustment to the drop-down Theatre Screen. Image: Rynhardt Steenkamp Opening the rears from inside takes place via a button atop the handle, though all come with a pair of 'manually' opening buttons and levers on the doors. As refined, comfortable and spacious as the interior is – the boot being deep and equally capacious at 540-litres – the surprise resides underneath up front. The surprise of the 'six' Never expected to deliver the same immediate response as the i7's electric powertrain, the mild-hybrid assisted 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six proved anything sluggish in the lighter 740i. Developing 280kW/540Nm, the unit proved effortless and creamy smooth in moving the 2 090 kg 7 Series along, with only a slight inline-six burble being audible inside. Devoid of the usual low-down lag as a result of the 48-volt belt/starter generator, the other impressive takeaway involved fuel consumption. Arriving with an indicated range of over 800 km, the eventual 576 km clocked after seven-days saw the instrument cluster register a best of 8.9 L/100 km in mixed conditions with extensive use having been made of the climate control, seats and heated steering wheel. In addition, the dual-axle adaptive air suspension results in a smooth and absorbing ride, though surface changes are felt in a manner that could be described as informative rather than unsettling. That being said, the only real blemish was the changing habits of the usually perfect ZF-sourced eight-speed Steptronic gearbox. Operated via the toggle switch on the centre console, the 'box shifts its usual buttery smooth self going up, yet tended to lag with sudden downshifts. While this can be overridden using the gear shift paddles, it stands to reason that most 7 Series drivers will leave the selector in D despite a typical BMW engagement feel being present from behind the wheel. Conclusion BMW's patience in having waited nearly five decades to rattle the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been long and while the result of the facelift Benz remains to be seen, the real trump card for Munich is the overall execution of the 7 Series from a tech and comfort standpoint. In the absence of the 740d, the 740i Design Pure Excellence, which opens the 7 Series range up, rates as the most complete and without needing to upgrade to the M Sport. While anything but a bargain at R2 284 104 before options, it makes for a compelling package not only as an S-Class alternative, but within BMW's own ranks for doing luxury properly no matter how convincing an X7 might be. NOW READ: Polarising new BMW 7 Series officially in the open
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Regional Extreme Festival brings defrosting action to Red Star
Fifth round of the regional series produced red hot action and close racing at the Delmas circuit. Alwyn Steenkamp in his new BMW M4 ran away to win race one of the cars in Classes A, B and C of the BMW ///M Performance Parts category. Photograph: Brandsponential. Competitors and spectators had to brave icy cold weather at the Red Star Raceway near Delmas on Saturday, when the venue hosted round five of this year's Regional Extreme Festival Presented by Coca-Cola. Those who did attend were rewarded with a day of spectacular racing, with the circuit now running anti-clockwise, as always during the second half of the season. BMW M Performance Top billing belonged to the BMW ///M Performance Parts brigade. Alwyn Steenkamp arrived at Red Star with a brand new M4 and ran away to win race one of the cars in Classes A, B and C. He was chased to the flag by Bob Neil (Delmon Mining M3), Renier Smith (Fast Development M3 Turbo) and Nek Makris (335i). Race two had to be red-flagged after the SavSpeed 328i of Hein van der Merwe lost an oil cooler and created a large slippery line at the end of the pit straight. ALSO READ: Regional Extreme Festival delivers the magic to Zwartkops faithful After the restart the victory went to Neil, from Steenkamp, Anton Pommersham (Eagle Granite M4) and Makris. The first race for Classes D, E and F went to Andre Scheepers van Vuuren (Curvent M4), leading home Class D points leader Bernard de Gouveia (De Gouveia Accountants M3), Eugene Gouws (Master Mowers M3) and Oleratu Sekudu (Rampage Racing M3). Van Vuuren won race two as well, ahead of Seduku, Troy Cochran (Tyre Mart Boksburg 330i) and de Gouveia. 111 GT Sports and Saloon The first Ferro Energia race for 111 GT Sports and Saloon Cars victory went to Phillip Meyer (Swiss Hotel School Porsche 944), followed by Wouter Roos (Origen Oil Volkswagen Golf GTI), Jonathan Visser (Auto Express Car Service Volkswagen Polo) and Jarred Rossouw (Nathan's Motorsport Volkswagen SupaPolo). Marius Truter impressed in his Strategic Gearbox Volkswagen Golf, finishing on the podium of the second Ferro Energia race for 111 GT Sports and Saloon Cars. Photograph: Brandsponential. Roos won race two ahead of Marius Truter in his super rapid Strategic Gearbox Volkswagen Golf, closely followed by Meyer and Wayne Robb (Ford Focus ST). Single-seaters Defending champion Lendl Jansen (Bull Security Rhema) took an easy victory in the opening DOE CIM Lubri Formula Vee race, followed by Gert van den Berg (DOE Parts Rhema), Peter Hills (Mangaza MXTwo Rhema) and Daine Stewart (Direction Management Forza). Lendl Jansen (Bull Security Rhema) took victory in both the DOE CIM Lubri Formula Vee races. Photograph: Brandsponential. Jansen won race two as well, again followed by van den Berg and Peter Hills, with Vaughn Hills (Mangaza MXTwo Rhema) in fourth place. V8 Supercars Terry Wilford (Fuchs Lubricants Ford Falcon) won the first Dunlop V8 Supercar race from Warren Lombard (Pepboys Automotive Ford Mustang), Thomas Reib (Cafe 9 Automotive Chevrolet Lumina) and Auke Compaan (CIM Lubricants Ford Mustang). Lombard pitted after the warm-up lap for race two. That left Wilford to lead for six laps before his Falcon slowed and stopped due to electronic maladies. Reib went on to win, half a lap ahead of Compaan. Volkswagen Challenge Wayne Masters (Performance Masters) took the first largely Polo field Ate Volkswagen Challenge race ahead of Jayden Goosen (Ferro Energia), Ian Walker (Melllow Velo) and Mydi Mfana. Wayne Masters (Performance Masters) took both the Ate Volkswagen Challenge races. Photograph: Brandsponential. Masters made it a double victory in race two, finishing ahead of Goosen, Walker and lady racer Elna Croeser (Ate Brakes). Nationals next The next round of the Extreme Festival Presented by Coca-Cola will be a National event, to take place at the East London Grand Prix circuit on the weekend of Saturday 19 July. ALSO READ: Kyalami shows its teeth to National and Regional Extreme Festivals
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- TimesLIVE
From make-up brush to the race track, Simphiwe turns heads with her need for speed
Simphiwe Mohlohlo had a colourful career as a make-up artist for seven years, working with figures such as MahWhoo, Bontle Smith and DBN Gogo, and at wedding events. Mohlohlo, 27, surprised by trading her make-up brush for a racing helmet. She is a qualified prosthetics, special effects and make-up artist from Johannesburg. After completing high school, she wasn't allowed to take a gap year, and her mother encouraged her to explore alternative paths. She had intentions to open a beauty parlour, but the state of the economy wasn't favourable.. In 2024 she decided to pursue motorsport. 'I've always loved fast cars, the adrenaline of it all, and the liberty to drive at high-speed fascinated me,' she said Mohlohlo believes transitioning from makeup to motorsport was easy because she had reached a point where she wanted more. Her motorsport journey began with go-karting in May 2024. Her team soon introduced her to Formula 1600, an entry-level class, where she practised but wasn't allowed to compete. She eventually entered a race, though it was cut short due to a few bumps on the racetrack. 'I was invited to a motorsport event and that's when everything changed. I was surprised that there are people of colour who are allowed to partake in such a sport. I intentionally didn't want to join motorsport but when the events co-ordinator allowed me to test drive the car, everything changed for me. Everything is tighter and the gear for racing cars is different compared with a normal car, not to mention that it carries more speed,' she said. 'I told my mother the feeling I get when racing is the feeling I got when I started doing make-up. I told her I belong here.' With sponsorships from Investchem MSA, she was able to participate in two Formula Libre events this year, where she won first place in her class at the first race, taking her from class E to D. 'When I won at my first car racing [event], for me it wasn't about the win but the time [in which] I completed the race. I didn't know I won until one of my teammates told me I needed to fetch my medal, as I came first in class C. I was in utter disbelief'. She recalls how frustrating it was for her in the beginning because she didn't know the racing terminology used to communicate when her car had problems. Simphiwe Mohlohlo on the track, where's she's quickly got up to speed. Image: supplied 'I used to get frustrated when I couldn't describe my car's issues to the mechanic. But now I'm learning the basics and even if it takes time to fully understand the terminology, I can at least identify problems when they arise.' Mohlohlo will race in the 246 BMW sponsored by BMW under Pablo Clark. She said she doesn't know how to react to this turn of events, as everything was a shock to her. Despite Mohlohlo's passion for motorsport, she remains passionate about the beauty industry and plans to establish a lasting presence by opening a beauty parlour or academy and potentially collaborating with makeup brands to solidify her legacy.
