Van Zyl leaves competition in his dust

Hurlyvale resident Nicholas van Zyl is on the fast track to making a name for himself after he won two class victories at Red Star Raceway.

The 18-year-old Edenvale High School learner took to the track in November when he competed in this year’s final event for the Bridgestone BMW Club Racing Series.

“I qualified second for race two and won. I just got going and things went well. Race two was an easy race, all I needed to do was finish a minimum of fifth, but I finished third.”

Van Zyl finished the top of the series with a total of 88 points, the top of the E class and the highest amount overall.

He was followed by Andreas Meier (class B) with 84 and Varish Ganpath with 76 (class D).

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“Besides winning the two titles, I’m one of the youngest racers to win the series overall. It feels amazing and took a while to sink in.”

With almost two years of racing experience underneath his belt, the E class racer hopes to become a household name among racing and motorsport families.

“I’ve always liked motorsports, I love the adrenaline of racing,” said van Zyl.

“My dad, Wayne, bought my car as an early birthday gift, he saw it online and spoke to my mom about it. She thought he was crazy but he just believed in me, my passion, my potential and what I was capable of.”

Remembering his first race at Midvaal Racecourse, van Zyl said he was full of nerves but it felt amazing.

Since then he has had more seat time and gained invaluable experience both on and off the track through simulation racing.

Starting a racing career in Grade 11 and establishing a name for yourself during your final year is no easy feat.

Van Zyl said finding that balance between schoolwork and bettering his performance can be challenging but is necessary.

Looking to the future, van Zyl hopes to create a career out of his passion for racing.

“I would love to race overseas in Germany, which is the centre of racing, but for now I would just like to move up a class or two and improve my skill as a racer.”

Van Zyl thanked Savspeed racing for all of the maintenance and work they’ve done on his car.

Although racing is a very independent sport, van Zyl said the lockdown affected him.

“We tried having online championships with simulation racing but it’s not the same,” said van Zyl.

“I was just itching to get out and back on the track. In a way, you’re worried you will forget how to race but once you’re back out there you remember it’s like muscle memory.”

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