Laps of honour: Killarney awarded historical plaque while petrolkoppe take to the pitch
LEKKER JY: Johandre Duminy on the Spin pitch at Killarney
It’s all going off at Killarney lately, what with the raceway receiving official recognition of its historical importance, as well as another recent meeting of the Street Mania outlaws.
The Cape Town Heritage Foundation awarded a Blue Plaque to Killarney International Raceway in a ceremony last week, to commemorate 76 years of continuous petrolkop activity at the same venue.
The plaque was unveiled by Mayco Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, who has done much for motorsport in the Cape, on behalf of the City. Killarney executive manager Des Easom presented, with a side-serving by mind (and fork) bending mentalist Larry Soffer.
What started as a dusty piece of wasteland on the old Malmesbury road is now Cape Town’s most-used sports venue.
The first event, in 1947, was one by the Mets, who held a ‘sprint’ trial (what we call drag now) with an MG roadster doing an impressive 22.6 over the standing quarter mile.
Things got large with an ambitious plan to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix. A completely new, 3.267km track was built for the inaugural Cape Grand Prix on December 17, 1960. The layout today is the same, with the track smoother and wider.
Then there’s the added drag strip, one-kilometre karting circuit, tar Drifting oval, 4x4 area and, for one of the Cape’s most popular motorsports, a purpose-built spinning pitch last year. Plus, there’s the only skidpan in the Western Cape, for training purposes.
In 2017, an FIA-approved Rallycross circuit was created to host the first ever round of the World Rallycross Championship in Africa, which is set to return in October this year.
Which brings us to the next big thing, the latest Street Mania. Despite the cold weather and a good few spinner upcountry at the Dada’s birthday bash (look out for coverage in next week’s Bobby Nitro) the Drifters added to the Spin numbers to entertain the attendees.
Drivers took advantage of the track time on offer to have a bit of powersliding fun.
It was a night for the juniors, with Josh White having his debut on Killarney, joining the ranks with Shaye Green and Muhammad Uzayr Rajah.
Mixing it up, former Drift King Bronny White tried his hand on the Spin Outlaw layout, confident that his old ways would return and give him an edge in the friendly competition.
Positions at the end of the night were Chadwin ‘Boksie’ Hadjie in the lead, followed by Andre Jodamus and coming in third after an entertaining effort, old hand Bronny White.
Street Mania has played a definite role in creating a safe platform not only for adults but for youth as well to enjoy motorsport.