Summarize

Perhaps South Africa’s favourite race weekend, the annual Zwartkops Passion for Speed celebrates 25 glorious years of the event originally seated in the Piper Series over the weekend of 30 and 31 January 2026. Set to as always, attract an international field to Pretoria, this year will be no different, except for the extra quarter-century celebrations with organisers set to confirm the international line-up shortly. 

There is however already more than enough to get excited about. Topping the Passion for Speed pops, the Pre-74 The International Sports Prototypes usually attract a strong overseas entry to join the local Springbok Series Lolas, Chevrons and the like. Stunning prospects include an overseas Ferrari and a Can Am McLaren to take on the best of the local Le Mans Ford GT40s, Can Am McLaren M1As and more. There will also be a full complement of Lola T70 s including Larry Wilford and Neil Lobb’s MK3 Coupes and Mark du Toit and Russel Fear in their Spyders. Ford versus Ferrari at its best!

They will be joined by the local regulars and a few visiting GT Porsches, and a gang of rumbling Trans Am V8 Touring Cars. Talking V8s. Many of the Sports, GTs and V8s will also race in another Passion for Speed highlight, the prestigious annual 45 minute Le Mans Sports & GT Tourist Trophy. It attracts the best of the local Cobras, Daytonas, Lolas and GT40s. And expect extra international flavour there, too.

Another huge Passion for Speed attraction, the Pre’66 Legends of the 9 Hour Production Cars. Rest assured the giant Ford Galaxies, Falcon Thunderbolts, Fairlanes, Mustangs, Mercury, Chevy Impalas, Novas and Camaros, Studebakers, Plymouths, and the rest as always will be to thrill the Passionate crowd. With international spice mixed in there too and the smaller classes to entertain as ever behind. 

Not to be outdone, the local South African Historic Single Seaters always deliver great interest. Look forward to classic Formula Fords, Vees and other machines that made local racing history over the years. And maybe even few Formula Atlantics and rasping rotary Formula South Africa machines. 

The Evapco HRSA Sprint races always entertain with their blend of Porsches, V8s and rotaries up front and a horde of classic racing Fords, Alfas, Datsuns, Volkswagens and the rest in chase in the classes. Contemporary race fans can also look forward to that swarm of BMW M Performance Parts Racers commencing their new season with a little extra Passion.

There is of course far more to the Passion for Speed with Zwartkops Raceway pulling out all the stops to start the 2026 local motorsport calendar with a feast for fans. Specific focus will be paced on the Ford versus Ferrari legend, the iconic Ford Capri Perana V8 and unique South African machinery like Jack Holme’s Ecosse, Eric Broeckhoven’s Lolette, the GSM Dart, Protea and Marauder, amongst others.

Add Formula 1 and drifting demos, aerobatic displays, and Zwartkops’ spectacular Fan Experience. Enjoy the pit walk and driver meet and greet with special autograph, photo opportunities and even passenger rides. Interactive family friendly zones pack in race simulators, karts, quad rides, and kids’ entertainment from jumping castles to face painters, balloon artists, and stilt walkers to a scavenger hunt, along with much more family fun. 

The Passion for Speed action doubles up with a second meeting to open the regular Historic and Regional season at the Red Star Raceway a week later but be sure to diarise 30 and 31 January for the Zwartkops Passion for Speed. Log on to Computicket to book your discounted tickets, or buy them at the gate at R230 per adult, R150 for students with kids under 12 free. Log on to www.zwartkops.co.za email info@zwartkops.co.za or call 071 670 0585 for more info.