Keeping the Castrol BMW Race Driver Series 2L title in the family is becoming a regular feature for father and son team Peter and Graham Ball, having again dominated the pace at the series second round held at Manfeild recently.
One of three competition categories in the seven-round series, the East Tamaki based Ball family have a fun history with racing and the BMW brand. The close-knit group of 15 cars sit inside a greater travelling family of more than 70 competitors.
For Peter his connection to the brand runs deeper than the four years he’s been behind the wheel racing among friends. The automotive business he shares with his brother includes son Graham and, by his estimation, 20 other cars he’s helped through the series over the years. That includes the current Castrol BMW Race Driver Series scholarship car of Jordan Baldwin.
Newbies compared to some competing, the association started around six years ago when Graham switched from Karting to saloon cars. “That’s when Graham started in the E30 series,” said Peter.
“It was the friendly atmosphere compared to what we’d done before that cemented it for me. That and the affordability.”
Joining in a couple years later when he saw how much fun his son was having, the duo worked their way to the front. Graham claimed the category title in 204-2015 with Peter wrestling it from him last season (2015-2016).
“There are about 20 other competitors we help, as well as the five cars we’ve built up for people too. In the workshop at the moment there are eight cars sitting here – all part of the series,” added Peter.
“The best thing I get from the series is racing against my son. In saying that I’m not too old yet – to beat him. Overall I’m out to enjoy myself, that’s all. Whatever else happens, happens.”
First to put the family name to the trophy, Graham says a win of that calibre cements the time and effort put in to preparation. What keeps him going? “It’s all about the racing, the people we race with and having fun. Dad and I have done the enduro races together and no matter whether we are winning or losing we are having good fun,” said Graham.
Despite their raw pace in qualifying the three races at the series southernmost venue on the calendar was dominated by Michael Kennedy. Peter took the opening race win but it was consistency by Kennedy and a win in the handicap race that placed him ahead of the champion pairing.
Growth in the Open class of cars saw 25 head to Manfeild and while separated in to three groups it was the regulars topping the time sheets. Group B honours were taken by Michael Starnes with three wins in his M3 E36. Overall Matakana’s Andre Mortimer held fellow pace setters Rob Berggren and Andrew Nugent at bay in the Group A category, to win the weekend.
The E30 category of 30 cars was comfortably topped by defending champion Matt Griffin, taking two of the three race wins. A largely new contingent of competitors for the new season includes last year’s Castrol BMW Race Driver Series scholarship winner Robert Hill.
Heading for the final event on the 2016 calendar the series next event will be held at the newly refurbished Bruce McLaren Taupo Motorsport Park – 19 to 20 November.
Supporters of the series and Castrol BMW scholarship car include BMW New Zealand, Castrol, TransVision Graphics, Toyo tyres, Koni shocks/King Springs, Stocks, P and S Autocentre, Tracktime and Classic Car Cover.
Castrol BMW Race Driver Series calendar 2016-2017
R1: Icebreaker – Hampton Downs 10-11 September
R2: IRC – Manfeild 22-23 October
R3: Taupo – 19-20 November
R4: Tasman Revival – Hampton Downs 14-15 January 2017
R5: NZ Championship – Taupo 2-5 February 2017
R6: Tasman Revival – Pukekohe 18-19 February 2017
R7a: Legends of Speed – Hampton Downs 25-26 March (E30 and 2L categories)
R7b: NZ Championship – Pukekohe 31 March – 2 April (Open class)
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