Wheels of the West Rand: Fast wheels keep on turning
Local racers tell about their racing careers and show off their cars in the 10th edition of Wheels of the West Rand.
Motorsport is one of the most exhilarating and adrenaline-inducing sports. The Krugersdorp News visited some local racers for the 10th edition of the Wheels of the West Rand at the Zwartkops Passion for Speed festival to share their racing experiences and race cars with the community.
Michael Grobler is a Randfontein resident and owner of The Specialist Pest Control in the West Rand where he competed in the race in his 1995 BMW E30, with a 2.8 straight six engine. He said he bought the car a couple of years ago in East London, where over the years, he has changed a lot on the car to get it up to standard to compete in races.
“My racing career started when my buddy Roland invited me to try it out, then the racing bug bit me. I started with a VW Polo in 2022 followed by a Golf Mk 1. This year, I put my BMW to the test,” Michael explained.
“I currently race in the BMW performance part race series and we race about once a month,” he said.
Michael is also very proud of one of his recent races, the Zwartkops 200 race, which consisted of 80 laps against strong competitors. He placed third.
“Despite this podium finish, I have a flaw in my racing abilities as I tend to get in front as fast as possible – sometimes at the cost of my car. I’ve learned now that the race is not won in the first lap and the season is not won in the first race,” Michael observed.
Roland Hopkins, who introduced Michael to racing is an avid racer with his 2003 BMW E46 330ci, with a three-litre engine, with a camshaft high compression forged pistons.
Roland uses a 50/50 ethanol and petrol combination which delivers 142 kilowatts to the rear wheels. The car also has upgraded and racing-grade brakes, suspension, tyres, stainless steel exhaust and M3 branches.
“My racing career started with a Lotus 7, which I raced for over a year, where I then moved on to also a Golf Mk 1, to a Polo in 2021, and finally moved to my BMW in 2024,” he listed.
He explains when he was introduced to racing by a friend, he came back to it due to the insane adrenaline rush it gave him.
“We have nine race weekends this year all over the country, as well as Maputo in Mozambique. I prepare for them by racing at the track to be racing fit and to test the car to make changes,” Roland said.
Roland explains his strong points with racing are that he can perform under pressure, as well as his focusing abilities, however, he says he lacks in fitness, as your fitness condition can have a huge impact on your condition.
Roland’s previous races include:
• 2019 – Clubman’s Racing class B champion
• 2020 – 111 Sport and Saloon overall champion and class B champion
• 2022 – Phakisa 200 champion
• 2022 – 111 Sport and Saloon class B champion and overall second
• 2023 – 111 Sport and Saloon class B champion and overall fourth
• 2024 – 111 Sport and Saloon Class E champion
Roland concluded to thank his friends, families and sponsors for their support and to live life like it is the last lap.
