Summarize

The 2019 South African circuit racing season is not yet over. And it will not be until the chequered flag drops on the country’s oldest and longest-running motor race at the East London Grand Prix Circuit’s Border 100 Saturday 14 December, the perfect weekend for any race team to end its season.

“The Border Motorsport Club would like to invite all South African racers with cars and bikes eligible to race, to come down and compete in South Africa’s oldest motor race and one of the coolest racing weekends every year,” an East London Grand Prix Circuit stalwart challenged. 

“So we lay the gauntlet down to all South African racers — whatever you drive — be it a Ginetta or a Ligier, an Aston Martin or a Ferrari; a Challenge VW, Clubmans car, a Historic Mini, Alfa or Escort, or whatever, there’s a place open for you on our grid. Also don’t forget that our beautiful beaches offer you the perfect chance to make it a racing holiday in the week or so before and after race day — come make a splendid stay of it in East London!"

The Border 100 goes back to 1933 when Daily Dispatch motoring editor Brud Bishop dreamed up a unique 25km track down pretty Marine Drive, out over Potters Pass and back. Bishop sold the plan to the East London city fathers and the first Border 100 drew international entries the likes of winner Whitney Straight’s Maserati and Dick Seaman’s MG K3 to race six laps of the splendid 25km track in 1934.

That event grew into the South African Grand Prix, while the Border 100 has long remained on the contemporary circuit since the SAGP moved up to Kyalami in the 60s. Roll on to 2019 and the Border 100 will once again close off the SA circuit racing season come Saturday 14 December and the Club would like to see SA’s quickest race cars and bikes; drivers and riders to make the trip.

The Border 100 races 180km or 46 laps of the current Grand Prix circuit to keep it close to its traditional 1 hour 30 minutes, while there’s also the 26-lap Border 100 Endurance Race for motorcycles, over and above fun non-championship sprints for Modified and Historic Saloons and Motorcycles. 

The Border 100 Car Endurance race is open to any car complying with MSA Safety regulations and to drivers in possession of the correct MSA documentation, who are expected to share cars. There is a compulsory pit stop of least 3 minutes slower than the competitors’ average lap, while the bike endurance race requires single riders to stop, dismount and run around their pit before remounting and racing on. Or swap riders…

So, the racing fat lady has not yet sung as there remains one important appointment for 2019 — SA’s oldest race, the Border 100 must still run on 14 December and it seems to be a must-do event. Contact www.bmsc.co.za for more entry, race and spectator information.