Summarize

Zwartkops Raceway has confirmed that the annual international Passion for Speed Festival will return to its traditional season-opening midsummer date 28-29 January 2022, with spectators in all likelihood to be able to return, too. This year's races were forced on to a midwinter date behind closed doors due to lockdown. But the spectacular weekend of racing promises to be back to its classic best at the Pretoria circuit. 

"We are delighted to confirm that our 2022 Passion for Speed returns to its traditional date over the weekend of the 28th and 29th of January,” Zwartkops boss Peter du Toit confirmed. “It will be a bumper weekend of the best racing and at this point, it seems we will also have the all clear to welcome back international drivers, who will drive local cars, and our spectators. "They have always made such a great contribution to this wonderful global celebration of cars, racers and racing."

Passion for Speed evolved out of the annual International Historic Series races, when David Piper led a trek of the finest international sports, GT and other racing cars to South Africa every year. The weekend has since developed into a unique and hugely anticipated annual fixture. All the expected historic and national racing classes that festival fans have come to adore over the years, will be back as usual at the end of January.

The traditional Passion for Speed TT for Le Mans Sports & GT, International Sports Prototypes and Pre’74 Trans Am cars will once again form the cornerstone of the weekend. Each of those classic classes will also race on their own, backed by Zwartkops’ regular Pre-1966 racing series, with local stars racing overseas drivers too. Add races for HRSA and Midvaal Pre-’80 Saloons, Charlies SuperSpar Historic Pursuit, Marlboro Pre’66 Legends of the 9 Hour and Little Giant Production Cars and Historic Single Seaters too.

But that’s not all — not by any stretch of the imagination as several national, regional and club racing series also join the fray. The G&H Transport National Extreme Supercar National GT3s, V8 Supercars, BMW Car Club and Lotus Challenge will also commence their 2022 seasons. Add Greats of the Past Invitational, F1 and other exotic racing demonstrations. And a wide array of off-track attractions for a truly spectacular weekend of racing. How’s that for a show!

“We cannot wait to get back to a traditional midsummer Passion for Speed weekend with our international competitors spectators back too,” Peter du Toit concluded. “It’s been a trying couple of years, so we trust that this classic event will prove to be the pipe-opener to a year to remember. “See you at Zwartkops end January!"