Sharonlea based motorsports legend Alan Kernick was inducted in the Motorsport South Africa Hall of Fame for his outstanding achievements and commitment to South Africa motorsport.

Over the years, Kernick achieved more than most, totally dedicating his life to motorsport, and helping grow it. He is a second-generation racing driver, and started racing in 100cc karts in 1979 at the age of 16.

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He begun car racing in 1981.
In 1984, Kernick started constructing his own brand of racing cars, called Tasman cars. This led to 20 cars made over the years, one of these being the first Formula Vee in SA to have inboard suspension and adjustable brake bias from the cockpit in 1989.

Alan also had a fiberglass business where he produced all fiberglass bodies for all Formula Vees, Formula Fords, and some Wesbank modified cars, all the while manufacturing his brand of racing cars. He also drove the medical car for the world F1 Grand Prix at Kyalami, as well as the pace car for the 1984 Kyalami Wynns 1000. This lead to 1992 and 1993, when he drove the doctor’s car for the world F1 South Africa Grand Prix’s at Kyalami.

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Kernick went on to create a successful race car restoration business, leading him to race Chevron B19s, historic Formula 3 cars, historic Formula 2 cars, Wesbank modified cars, as well as a whole bunch of various historic cars, including testing a historic Formula 1 car.

He has also been the backbone to the racing success of his son, Michael Kernick. They are part of only a handful of families that are three generations of racing drivers, and being involved in motor racing. “I really appreciate everything, and all the effort my dad has put in for me,” said Michael. “I am so happy he is in the Motorsport South Africa Hall of Fame.”

Kernick later went into the admin side of racing, becoming chairperson of Formula Vee and Formula Libre, and chairperson of Northerns regions racing for 12 years. He is now the chairperson of the reconstituted Sports Car Club South Africa and is a Historic Single Seater Association committee member.

He explained that it is truly an honour to be associated with such an auspicious body, and to be inducted into the hall of fame. “Being humbled is an understatement. Having never planned for this, it is quite
something to reflect on. I am immensely proud. It continues to drive the motorsport obsession within me.”

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