Jefferies’ superb performance in Macau

Formula BMW Pacific - Guia Street Circuit, Macau – 22 November

In what is generally regarded as the most difficult and challenging circuit in the world, Zimbabwe’s Axcil Jefferies put in a superb performance at the Guia Street Circuit in Macau to end his first season of single seater racing.

Macau is a unique event on the motorsport calendar and a number of guest drivers from Formula Three bolstered the Formula BMW field which swelled to 24 cars.

The weekend didn’t start well for the 15-year old Air Zimbabwe/Pioneer Corporation backed driver as a bout of food poisoning left him violently ill. He was feeling a bit better for qualifying on Saturday when he was eighth fastest having concentrated on learning the circuit.

Sunday’s race was dramatic from the start but Jefferies’ level-headed calmness came to the fore again. He adopted a cautious approach which paid of handsomely as he avoided the opening lap carnage that unfolded around him. As a result the safety car was deployed for 3 laps.

When the flag fell he was a sixth, which became fifth after European F/BMW champion Felipe Nasr was excluded for overtaking while the safety car was out. More important is the fact that he was second of the regular Formula BMW Pacific drivers and won the Rookie and Junior driver awards. He was also once again the driver top driver in the four car Eurasia team.

Guest driver William Buller took the victory with teammate Jim Pla in his wheeltracks.

Last year, as a member of the Castrol Toyota Development Team, Jefferies won the South African Junior Max kart championship to back up the Rotax Mini-Max title he won in 2007.

This year was his first season of car racing and to be classified third in the Formula BMW Pacific championship and win the F/BMW Pacific Junior title is proof that this young driver has the talent to go far in motorsport.


- Steve Wicks -