Summarize

The Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit is gearing up for the fourth annual Festival of Motoring presented by WesBank 22-25 August, but the biggest news for race fans is that the event will host a unique V8-only race meeting alongside a significant race theme to many of the displays over the weekend.

South Africa's foremost V8 categories, the Mobil 1 V8 Supercars and the Cape-based V8 Masters will add thunder to the extravaganza weekend that also includes motorsport, supercar, classic, historic and modern car activations and displays. On track race, action will see the two series racing on their own on Saturday, before a combined reverse-grid race Sunday. 

The Mobil 1 V8 Supercars grid has swelled to twenty 450kW winged racers running on fat racing slick tyres in action with all eyes on championship leader 'Rocket Man' Mackie Adlem and his Jaguar XKR as he continues his championship duel with Terry Wilford (Fuchs Ford Falcon), Thomas Reib (Cafe 9 Chevy V8) and Franco di Matteo (Deltech Jaguar XKR). Behind them it's a typical Bowtie versus Blue Oval V8 war with a few Big Cats sewn in for good measure.

The Chevrolet camp comprises a contingent of Corvettes driven by another championship frontrunner JP Nortje, veterans Roelf du Plessis (LSP Group) and Steve Herbst (Prei Instrumentation) and young gun Julian Fameliaris. They will face off against a field of Ford V8s including the returning Larry Wilford (Fuchs) and Hennie Groenewald, Ben Morgenrood and Izak Spies in a four Mustangs and a gang of Falcons for David Coetzee (ELKSA), PS Compaan and Ian Young, while Antonie Marx (Xado), Auke Compaan will fly the Jaguar flag.

The V8 Masters races may mainly race in the Cape, but championship leader Fabio Tafani is a good old Pretoria lad who will be looking forward to not travelling that far to get to his Kyalami appointment. A couple of seconds slower a lap than the Supercars, V8 Masters is limited to over-40 year old drivers dicing identical SA-built Mustang-like 347kW Ford V8-powered APV347is and the race up front should see Tafani’s turquoise and orange machine taking on arch-rival Marcel Angel’s black and yellow Autohaus Angel challenger.

Behind them, two more Jozi veterans who also like to compete in the Cape will be looking forward to racing closer to home are Rui Campos (Campos Transport) and Paolo Cavallieri, while the rest of the field will join Angel in their great trek to Kyalami. Look out for Richard Schreuder (TRS Construction), Rob Warrington’s violent yellow machine, Brian Evans (Cape Eye Laser) next up and Sean Moore among the Gold Class boys, while Silver Class runners, Harry Taylor, Charl van Sittert (Serr Synergy), Martin Bensch (Compact Robotics) and Tim Reddell will chase them all the way.

Organised by Messe Frankfurt and fully endorsed and supported by SA Motor Industry Association NAAMSA, the Festival of Motoring presented by WesBank is about far more than just racing. A live motor show with myriad interactive attractions from the chance to self-drive most new car models on the short Kyalami Handling Track or be professionally driven around the Grand Prix Circuit are certain attractions and there’s also an interactive 4x4 Area up the hill.

South Africa’s carmakers will display all the latest and future models in and around the Kyalami pit complex where visitors will also find a Tech Zone showcasing future mobility, while Supercars, GTs, historic racers, a Best of the Best classic display and a variety of V8 muscle cars will add excitement via static and track activations, with the racing V8 pitting on the upper level.

A wonderful celebration of motoring, the family focussed Kyalami Festival of Motoring will also offer a retail area, full catering and refreshments, kid zones and a fun picnic area with a great view of the Grand Prix Circuit. Find out much more about the Festival and book tickets now to avoid disappointment at festivalofmotoring.za.messefrankfurt.com.