Motorsport joins Kyalami Festival of Motoring next weekend
The racing will add to an already most popular Festival of Motoring recipe that covers everything from the chance to experience the very latest performance cars and all the new models to even a 4x4 village
Kyalami’s Festival of Motoring, presented by WesBank, has rapidly grown to become among Gauteng’s favourite expos of all.
Now in its third year, the festival will include a race programme among its Kyalami on-track activities and what better way with two of SA’s finest and closest-fought categories, the Sasol GTC and Investchem Formula 1600 taking to the track over the weekend of August 31 to September 2 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.
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.
The racing will add to an already most popular Festival of Motoring recipe 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.
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, 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.
Sasol GTC gets going with practice sessions on Friday, qualifying for GTC1 and GTC2 first thing Saturday and races at 11.55am Saturday and 12.15pm Sunday.
The Investchem Formula 1600 weekend starts with practice sessions Thursday and Friday morning before qualifying at 9.40am and the first race at 12.35pm Friday and race 2 at 3.05pm Saturday.
The Festival of Motoring happens at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit. Gates are open from 8am to 8pm on Friday from 8am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets cost R220 adult, R70 kids under 12 and R10 for under sixes. A weekend pass costs R525 and will be available at the gate. You can also book at itickets.co.za,
