BB Motorsport demonstrated their dominance this past weekend at the Zwartkops Top of the Hill event, walking away with the overall modified production car title and securing two class victories. The Pretoria-based team, known for its high-performance machines, made a bold statement at this inaugural event, with star driver Reghard Roets leading the charge in the BB Motorsport Nissan GT-R.
Roets’ Narrow Victory in the GT-R
Reghard Roets, behind the wheel of the BB Motorsport Nissan GT-R, delivered a stellar performance to claim both class and overall victory. In a gripping finale, Roets edged out his closest rival, Peter Zeelie, by an astonishing three-hundredths of a second, with a time of 53.257 seconds against Zeelie’s 53.295 seconds. This thrilling finish marked the culmination of a weekend filled with intense competition, as the drivers battled across the 2,000-meter circuit of Zwartkops Raceway in a time attack format.
The track’s tight and twisty layout presented a unique challenge, especially for seasoned hillclimb drivers accustomed to more traditional circuits. Roets faced fierce competition throughout the weekend, with a close contest in the B5 class for four-wheel-drive modified production cars. After three practice runs and four qualifying sessions, Roets managed to overcome the pressure, delivering a time fast enough to beat out top competitors Aldo Scribante and Devin Robertson.
Speaking on his victory, Roets praised the event and its potential: “For the first event, the Zwartkops Top of the Hill was amazing. All the big names were there, the vibe was great with big crowds, and the racing was exciting all weekend. This time attack style of motorsport has real potential, and I look forward to seeing it expand as these events bring out the big cars with the big horsepower, and that’s what the crowds want to see.”
Blackhawk Patrol Shines in Class
In addition to the GT-R’s success, BB Motorsport’s monstrous Nissan Patrol Blackhawk, piloted by veteran motoring journalist Reuben van Niekerk, also claimed class honours. Van Niekerk stepped in at the last minute, replacing BB Motor Group’s CEO Arnold Du Plessis, who was away on business. Despite the sudden call-up, Van Niekerk quickly adapted to the supercharged V8-powered, 2.6-ton beast, continuously improving his performance throughout the weekend.
The Blackhawk Patrol, with its sheer size and power, proved to be a formidable contender on the challenging Zwartkops circuit. Van Niekerk posted his fastest time of 1 minute 12 seconds in the class final, securing a well-earned victory. “Jumping into the big Nissan Patrol Blackhawk at the last minute was daunting at first, but I was really impressed with what it could do around the tight and twisty Zwartkops Top of the Hill circuit,” said Van Niekerk.
A Triumphant Homecoming for BB Motorsport
For BB Motorsport, the Zwartkops Top of the Hill event represented more than just a chance to compete—it was an opportunity to showcase their capabilities in front of their home crowd. After a challenging outing at the Simola Hillclimb, where both the GT-R and Patrol suffered transmission issues, this weekend’s results were a satisfying validation of their hard work and determination to improve.
Demar du Plessis, BB Motorsport’s manager, reflected on the team’s performance: “This is a great result for BB Motorsport, especially in our backyard. After a somewhat disappointing Simola Hillclimb, we’ve worked tirelessly to improve both cars, and this weekend is validation that we are moving in the right direction.”
Looking ahead, BB Motorsport hopes that the Zwartkops Top of the Hill event will inspire similar competitions across the country, providing local communities with a chance to witness the finest high-performance cars in action. As the event grows, it promises to become a highlight in the South African motorsport calendar, offering a unique and exhilarating time attack format that is sure to captivate fans and drivers alike.
With their double victory at Zwartkops, BB Motorsport has reaffirmed their position as a powerhouse in the South African motorsport scene, and the team is eager to build on this momentum in future events.
