Kyalami’s Festival of Motoring presented by WesBank has rapidly grown to become among Gauteng’s favourite expos of all, pandering to an enthusiastic crowd through a blockbuster show of everything motoring with latest new models, track rides and a broad selection of much to do for both the petrol head and prospective buyers looking for a chance to sample and buy their next vehicle.
Now in its third year, the Festival will include a race program among its Kyalami on-track activities for the first time in 2018 and what better than two of SA’s finest and closest-fought categories to wow a car-mad crowd than Sasol GTC and Investchem Formula 1600 taking to the track over the 31 August to 2 September weekend?
The premier 2018 SA Sasol GTC championship could not be closer fought, with arch rivals Michael Stephen (Engen Audi) and Gennaro Bonafede (Sasol BMW) involved in a title spat of note, while Simon Moss’ second Audi is keeping both on their toes. Stephen and Bonafede shared out the wins and seconds in a spectacular show last time out and there’s almost nothing to split them, while Moss, Robert Wolk in the other Sasol BMW, Volkswagen Motorsport duo Daniel Rowe and Mathew Hodges and BMW privateers Johan Fourie and Micheal van Rooyen have it all to do.
It’s a different story in the Sasol GTC2 class, where VW Motorsport GTI lad Keagan Masters has the rest of the field where he needs them, following a dramatic double-win last race. That leaves Mini teammates Brad Liebenberg and Devin Robertson, VW Golf GTI trio Charl Smalberger, Adrian Wood and Trevor Bland and Dayne Angel’s Honda Civic Type R, among others looking to celebrate defeating Masters at the Kyalami Festival.
And if it’s close at the top of the GTC championship chase, then there is absolutely nothing in it in the SA Investchem Formula 1600 championship, where young Stuart White and the experienced Nicholas van Weely are fighting over the Road to Indy shootout prize in the US in December. They will arrive to race at the Kyalami Festival of Motoring split by nothing more than a solitary championship point.
Trouble is, Scott Temple beat them both last time out and he will also be out to continue his winning form, but with the likes of young guns Cameron O’Connor, Andrew Rackstraw, Tiago Rebello and Chassen Bright; experienced drivers Andrew Schofield and Alex Gillespie and older hands Ian Schofield and David Jermy in the mix, it should be action from lights to flag from this field of nimble wings and slicks single-seater race cars.
The racing will only add to an already most popular Festival of Motoring recipe tailored to thrill the petrol head in an automotive sensory overload that covers everything from the chance to experience the very latest performance cars and all the new models to even a 4×4 village; vintage and classic cars and a host of lifestyle activities, plus the chance to interact with carmakers and motorsport legends alike. There will be a wealth of other activity on track over and above the racing too, with everything from demonstrations to shows and competitions.
Track action starts with Professional Performance, Family and Supercar Drive Sessions where show-goers can experience a flip around the track, starting Friday morning and continuing through the weekend and alternating with other on-track activities a few times a day through to Sunday. Track activities ramp up Saturday and Sunday with Pablo Clark Ferrari Challenge, Historic Racing, GT Race Car and Tata Race Truck Demonstrations, as well as Puma Flying Lions Air Displays and dices between a Nitro Air helicopter and a car on both days, while Sunday adds parades for Single Seater Race Cars and Mercedes-AMG owners.
On the racing front, Sasol GTC gets going with practice sessions through Friday, qualifying for GTC1 and GTC2 first thing Saturday and races 11h55 Saturday and 12h15 Sunday. The Investchem Formula 1600 weekend starts with practice sessions Thursday and Friday morning before qualifying 09h40 and the first race 12h35 Friday and race 2 happening 15h05 Saturday.
The Festival of Motoring happens at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, 1 Allandale Road Midrand from 31 August to 2 September. Gates open 08h00 to 20h00 Friday and Saturday and 08h00 to 18h00 on Sunday, tickets cost R220 per adult, R70 for kids under 12 and R10 for under sixes, while a Weekend Pass goes for R525 and will be available at the gate. You can also book at itickets.co.za, where you will find details on special events and track activity tickets too.