BMW Drivers Cup 2005

E30 Racing - The Year in Review

Report by E30 Racing Inc.

The weekend of 5^th and 6^th of November, 2005, saw the final round of the BMW Drivers Cup, the inaugural year in which we had our own races, with a grid of solely BMW E30 models, as opposed to previous years where all rounds were held within the Improved Production category. The 2005 year comprised eight rounds, six of which were held at Winton and Calder, under the auspices of the Australian Auto-Sport Alliance, and two were CAMS events at Phillip Island and Sandown, within Improved Production. The year saw the expansion of the E30 Race Series, which commenced in 2001 with a small band of enthusiastic amateurs from the BMW Car Club Victoria, to regular grids of up to sixteen cars. From the BMW Drivers Cup series point of view, the AASA events were excellent value for money, with not only official separate Practice and Qualifying sessions, but five races in all over race weekends. Calder Park Raceway even offered free practice on the Friday prior to meetings, and the organisers at all venues provided us with the opportunity to run a Reverse Grid race, which has proved very popular. Also popular have been the trophies presented by the race organisers at some meetings. For the first time, BMW E30 models of less than the peak 2.5 litre capacity class were accepted, in order to allow an entry level to the series. Many new members joined the Series, with only a couple not continuing to year’s end. All age groups were represented, from the twenties to the sixties, and there were three women competitors.

The start of 2005 saw the refining of the BMW E30 Regulations, designed to keep the Category uniform and the competition close, and to keep the series as affordable as possible. It also saw the establishment of the Driver Code of Conduct, to which all participants are signatories, and the appointment of Driving Standards Advisors, whose role it is to adjudicate and advise on race incidents within the group, separate from the usual Race Steward processes. The aim was to minimise personal disputes, and to diffuse potentially inflammatory situations, and in general it worked very well. A Meeting Liaison Officer was appointed to interact with race organisers to ensure the smooth running of the events, and this proved a valuable role. Two large BMW Drivers Cup banners were displayed over the garages at race events and drew attention to the Category, and a flyer was produced and distributed to further advance the Series. A number of the race cars were equipped with in-car video cameras, which made for entertaining viewing between races, and assisted the DSAs in their determinations. An excellent DVD of the third Round was produced by Bruce Allen, made up of external and in-car footage from several cars (available for purchase via the website www.e30racing.com.au). The website was upgraded and further improved by Julie Showers and the race results were promptly posted after each meeting, courtesy of Bruce Allen and the Results Committee. The administration of the BMW Drivers Cup and the conduct of the participants were commented upon favourably by race organisers.

The 2005 series comprised eight rounds, the placings being determined by the best six rounds. The first round was run at Calder Park Raceway over the weekend of the 19^th and 20^th February, and saw the emergence in Neil Anderson of the driver/car combination that was to dominate the year and which eventuated in an almost perfect score and the Series Championship win. All the more remarkable was the fact that Neil, although not a motor mechanic, prepared the car himself, stripping and re-assembling not only the engine, but also the chassis. And, not satisfied with resting on his laurels, he constantly experimented with all manner of suspension and engine modifications, notwithstanding the fact that sometimes the result was negative.  In all, Neil won six of the eight events, came third in one due to a mechanical failure in the last race after winning the first four (including the reverse Grid!), and in the seventh Round at Calder finished well down the order following a water pump failure causing him to miss an entire race. All this was achieved in the presence of hugely improved performances by his competitors, and some particularly fine driving by second place-getter Geoff Bowles, as well as the guest appearance of last year’s runaway Championship winner Andrew Fuller in the last round at Winton (which Neil won). In the process, Neil broke every lap record set by E30s in years gone by. In some Improved Production Races, Neil managed to beat more highly specified Improved Production cars, including a larger-engined E30, so it wasn’t as if he didn’t have some tough competition.

The first Round saw a somewhat unexpectedly (though not by the driver!) good performance by one participant, which had coincided with his replacement of a defunct exhaust from the collectors to the tailpipe. This led to an exhaustive (pun intended) arms race from many competitors over the ensuing weeks, with systems sporting tortuous extractors and impressive tail pipes (Neil’s The Big Kahuna being the most massive – it seems size does matter!). Many racers rushed to their workshops for engine makeovers, and derived good horsepower increases as a result. Everyone was going much quicker due to the upgrades and increasing experience. The trend was for improvement in lap times of two or more seconds for most drivers as the year progressed. The year was not without incidents, and at various times substantial damage was sustained, which in some cases may have been avoidable. Some may have been due to relative inexperience, as exemplified by major incidents in the first corner of the reverse grid races. In response, the 2006 Series may see the introduction of staged start handicap races as an alternative. Others incidents may have been the result of over-aggressive driving or not being aware of surrounding vehicles. The Driver Code of Conduct has been a major help in preventing repeats, and the DSAs have found a useful role in advice and guidance to newcomers and repeat offenders.

The first end-of-year Christmas Dinner and Prize-giving was a hugely successful affair with good food, good company, and an entertaining MC. Race videos played throughout the evening, and many tales of success and woe were recounted. Round trophies were presented, as well as the Championship trophies and an inaugural Rookie of the Year award (well done, Nick Stillwell). Matt Martin won the sub-2.5 litre trophy, and has been spurred on to a possible engine upgrade in 2006. Congratulations to Championship winner Neil Anderson, second placegetter Geoff Bowles, who ran an excellent and consistent season, and to Dr Spin who managed to hold off former Championship winner David Knight. Congratulations also to each and every competitor, whose contribution has led to the enjoyment and success of our Series. Our thanks go to outgoing Chairman Geoff Bowles who has presided over and guided our club during a time of great change, and for the work he has done in defining and refining the rules and regulations and lifting the profile of our Series. We owe him and his committee a huge debt of gratitude. What of the future? Incoming Chairman Michael Stillwell presented plans for expansion of the Championship in 2006, the most exciting initiative being the increase to nine Rounds with our first foray into New South Wales at Wakefield Park in April. The points system is being reviewed and more fine-tuning of the Regulations and Driver Code of Conduct is underway and should lead to close competition and even safer racing. Progress is also being made with obtaining sponsorship and further publicity initiatives are being contemplated to raise the profile of the Series further. One thing is for sure; with improved drivers and cars, and the injection of fresh new talent, the competition will be tougher than ever in 2006.