BMW wraps up 2014 Bridgestone Production Car Championship in style

Johan Fourie wrapped up his third Class A Bridgestone Production Car Championship and ADF Motorsport’s second title in the premier division of national production car racing with a champion performance in the Alcohol Killer BMW M Performance Parts 335i in the first race of the final round at Zwartkops Raceway west of Pretoria on Saturday afternoon.

Fourie, champion in 2008 and 2009, was quickest in qualifying, started from pole position on the grid for the opening 10-lap sprint race and cruised to a comfortable 2,8-second victory ahead of team-mate Gavin Cronje, who was second quickest in qualifying. Closest title rival Michael Stephen, who qualified fifth, could only manage to finish sixth. With a maximum of 21 points on offer in the final race and a points’ shortfall of 22, the title changed hands.

With the grid for race two the top six championship positions at the start of the day’s racing reversed, it was a pumped-up new champion alongside the outgoing title holder side-by-side at the back of the grid with Hennie Groenewald and Cronje on the front row. When the chequered flag came out after 15 laps to signal the end of the race and the close of what has been an exciting and close-fought season, it was Gennaro Bonafede who took the win and secured third place in the championship ahead of Cronje. Cronje was second, 6.7 sec in arrears, and Stephen was third.

A disappointed Fourie, determined to finish the season with what would have been his eighth win from 16 races, was fourth, 26 sec behind the winner. He had worked his way up to second place at one stage and with three laps remaining, while challenging Cronje for second, the two BMWs touched and Fourie’s car suffered a broken tie-rod. He was forced to limp home slowly for two laps.

“We worked hard for this championship and we never gave up. We scored points in every single race. Consistency was the key and I have to thank BMW for a great car and ADF Motorsport for a sustained season-long professional performance both in the workshop and in the pits,” said an elated Fourie. “Michael (Stephen) was a worthy opponent, as was my team-mate, Gavin, but after his difficult start to his first season in the top class, which effectively put him out of championship running, he graciously concentrated all his efforts on helping me win the title.

“Driving for ADF Motorsport brought back mojo this year after a difficult period where I was both driver and team manager of my own team. This season I was able to concentrate fully on my fitness – both mental and physical – and I’m very grateful to the team and our main sponsors, Alcohol Killer, Castrol and Powerbrake for the opportunity and for their wonderful support.”

Gavin Cronje: “We were unlucky in some of the double-points feature races, which really ruined our championship chances very early on and I adopted the role of supporting Johan and taking away as many points as I could from his rivals for the title. We worked well together as a team and when things went our way we were unbeatable, as our four 1-2 finishes (in rounds two, four, five and eight) showed.

“I enjoyed my first season in the top production car class and it was a pleasure driving for such a professional outfit as ADF Motorsport and behind the wheel of such an awesome race car.”

Donovan van Heerden, team principal, ADF Motorsport: “I big ‘thank-you’ to Powerbrake, who were instrumental to our success this weekend. New parts on both BMWs and technical support from the engineers gave us the advantage we have become accustomed to from the Powerbrake crew.

“Castrol's new engine oils and world class brake fluid gave us the edge as this week-end's temperatures reached levels higher than we are normally used to. Castrol's team provided us with product that helped manage temps giving us the edge, the Castrol Edge!

“We started the season with no principal naming rights sponsor, but we’ve ended it on the ultimate high. Alcohol Killer's Hamilton Mdakane recognised our potential mid-season and invested in the team, which afforded us the opportunity to survive the season and win it for the BMW brand. Alcohol Killer has been a major contributor to our success and we believe this success has elevated this new health drink brand to a higher level. We wish them every success in South Africa.

“Winning comes with so much sacrifice. Thank you chief engineer Freddie Pretorius for his commitment and sacrifice to ensure we always had the best package at every race this season. Thank you to BMW South Africa  for entrusting us with their motorsport aspirations in SA, our BMW M Performance Parts cars have been the class act all season and a wonderful showcase of the quality and performance of the brand.”

For more information on BMW Motorsport, please contact:

Mr. Edward Makwana

Manager: Group Automotive Communications

BMW Group South Africa

Tel: +27-12-522-2227

Mobile: +27-83-717-3184

Email: edward.makwana@bmw.co.za

Web: http://www.bmw.co.za

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