Greyville speed king tests his skills at Dezzi
Raais Asmal will be competing in the first stop of the Falken Polo Cup at the Dezzi Raceway in Port Shepstone.
TWENTY-YEAR-OLD engineering student at UKZN Howard College, Raais Asmal from Greyville, will be competing in the first stop of the Falken Polo Cup at the Dezzi Raceway in Port Shepstone this weekend.
Asmal first started racing go-carts when he was 10 years old, and credits one of his proudest moments to winning the VW Driver Search in 2017.
One of the youngest drivers in the race this weekend, Asmal says he’s looking forward to racing on his favourite track and hopes to finish in the top 10.
“I’m one of the very few who has raced there before, last year in the Superhatch. I know this weekend will be in a much faster car, so I will still have lots of learning to do. But I know that my experience racing there will benefit me,” he said.
For many racing at Dezzi Raceway will be a first time experience, especially due to the recent changes made to one turn on the track.
“We’ve essentially made the track wider and smoother for improved side-by-side racing,” commented track owner Desmond Gutzeit.
The Falken Polo Cup is one of the most anticipated events on the motor racing calendar. Cars are custom-made by VW for racing with every part identical, right down to the fuel used. By racing using the exact same car as a rival, it evens the playing field and brings to the fore the individual skill of the driver. It’s in this arena that new talent is spotted, and where new names rise.
“It is one of the most competitive races in the country because of this intense focus on the driver’s skill. It’s very exciting to watch!” commented Riaz Haffejee, Chief Executive Officer of Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (SRSA). SRSA is the holding company for the two brands sponsoring the Extreme Festival event, that being Dunlop and Falken Tyres.
For Asmal, this weekend is going to take him one step closer to achieving his ultimate dream. “I’ve always wanted to race in Formula 1. Michael Schumacher is one of my role models.”
The Extreme Festival presented by Dunlop and Falken Tyres takes place at Dezzi Racetrack, Port Shepstone, on Saturday, 2 March. Under 12s get in free. Cost is R80 at the door for adults. Doors open at 8am and close at 5pm. Visit: extremefestival.co.za.
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