The Killarney International Raceway in Cape Town, South Africa, hosted the first African Time Attack event affiliated with the international Time Attack name on September 25 and 26. The event, run by MD Motorsport, a division of MasterDrive, drew large crowds over the two days, indicating growing interest in the discipline in South Africa. The event provided a controlled setting for drivers to test their cars against the clock.
The competition involved solo runs on a 2.2 km point-to-point course, where drivers chased the fastest time from a standing start. The margins at the top were tight, with every tenth of a second counting. The event featured purpose-built race cars and everyday performance cars, with the street car category crowning its own winner.
Nian Du Toit emerged as the winner of the King of Killarney title, ahead of Silvio Scribante and Aldo Scribante. Du Toit also won the King of Race Cars category, with the same top three finishers as the King of Killarney. In the King of Street Cars category, Wayne Hoffman took the top spot, followed by Willhelm Kunn and Zac Laden.
The King of Classics category saw Franco Scribante take the win, with Franco Donadio in second and Silvio Scribante in third. MasterDrive's youngest Driver Search Program winner, 16-year-old Suhaa Jacobs, competed in the event, showcasing her improvement over the past few months, according to Gino Nourse, General Manager of Coastal regions at MasterDrive.
MasterDrive CEO Eugene Herbert emphasized the importance of responsible performance driving, stating that as vehicles become more powerful and technologically advanced, drivers need to match their capability. He noted that the event provided a legitimate platform for enthusiasts to explore their cars' limits in a controlled environment, rather than on public roads.
The event was supported by various partners, including Castrol South Africa, the ROSE Foundation, and Efficiency Sports and Marketing. Gino Nourse expressed enthusiasm for the event's future, citing spectator support as a positive indicator for Time Attack's growth in South Africa. MasterDrive is already looking forward to next year's event.
The Killarney Time Attack event demonstrated the growing interest in motorsport in South Africa, with a range of cars and drivers participating. The event's success is a positive sign for the future of Time Attack in the region, with plans already underway for next year's competition.
Key points
- Nian Du Toit won the King of Killarney and King of Race Cars titles at the Killarney Time Attack event.
- The event was the first African Time Attack to be affiliated with the international Time Attack name.
- The competition featured a range of cars, including purpose-built race cars and everyday performance cars.
