Gouws Motorsport prepares for new season of Formula Vee after impressive showing at 60th anniversary event
Gouws Motorsport brought back Formula Vee legend Gawie Gouws, putting him in the cockpit for the Passion for Speed event at Zwartkops Raceway.
Nearly 20 years after his last competitive outing, Gawie Gouws was back in the cockpit, proving that true racers never lose their edge.
He raced for the Blairgowrie-based Gouws Motorsport at the Passion for Speed event at Zwartkops Raceway, a special occasion for Formula Vee, marking the 60th anniversary of the category in South Africa.
Read more: Local racer has a few hiccups at Zwartkops Raceway, but looks forward to future races
As part of the celebrations, current drivers invited past Formula Vee legends to join them on the track, sharing cars in a tribute to the sport’s rich history.
For Gouws Motorsport, it was Johan Gouws and Gawie, a true icon of Formula Vee. Gawie’s career spanned from the early 1970s to the mid-90s, earning championship titles in three different decades, one in the 70s, another in the 80s, and his final in the 90s.
Johan explained that when he began racing in 2006, he started in the very car Gawie had won his 1996 championship with. “In my first-ever race, we shared the seat in a two-hour endurance event, completing driver swaps and refuelling along the way. That day, we finished second; a moment that remains a special memory in my career.”
At the Passion for Speed, Gawie spent Friday’s practice session reacquainting himself with the car, adjusting to the differences in modern Formula Vee machinery compared to the cars of his era. Despite the long time away from racing, his skill and instincts quickly came back.
For qualifying, he took on the challenge and put the car 12th on the grid. An impressive effort given the high level of competition.
In race 1, Johan took over driving duties. He had a monster start, immediately making up positions and setting sights on the front-runners. By the halfway mark, he had worked his way up to 7th place, steadily closing in on the leaders. Unfortunately, an electrical issue struck, cutting their charge short and forcing them to retire early.
Determined to bounce back, they worked quickly between races to resolve the issue, ensuring they were ready for race 2.
Gawie was back behind the wheel, starting from the back of the grid. He wasted no time getting into the mix, making quick overtakes and battling hard throughout the race. By the checkered flag, he had climbed to 8th place, delivering a strong result and reminding everyone why he is a Formula Vee legend. More importantly, he was back where he belonged, racing hard and loving every second of it.
With the 2025 Formula Vee Championship kicking off on March 1 in Zwartkops, Gouws Motorsport will now shift their attention to the season ahead, with Johan at the wheel. “We are targeting a podium finish, determined to showcase the true speed of our car. Last season was filled with unlucky incidents and avoidable accidents, preventing us from translating our pace into the results we knew we were capable of. This year, we’re focused on turning that around.”
Johan added that with a fast car, strong preparation, and renewed determination, they’re ready to take on the challenge and fight for top results.
Fans can be part of the action, with tickets available online and at the gate on race day.
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