Petrolheads were spoilt for choice at a Gymkhana event in Bellville, at the weekend, however, the racing had to come to an end as organisers did not have the necessary paperwork.
YQ 4 Hope, Witzenberg Motorclub and Northlink College hosted the event to raise funds for bursaries for students.
Athlone born racer, Abdul Sayed, from Ottery, said hosting the gymkhana event was a dream come through.
More than 25 racers from all around the province took part in the event.
Sayed, who is part of YQ 4 Hope, a non-profit organisation, said: “Motorsport doesn’t really give back to society. We came up with this initiative with YQ 4 Hope, Witzenberg Motorclub and Northlink Colleges. We pay an entry fee to drive, but the entry fee goes towards bursary funds for people in the community via Northlink Colleges. That is the initiative and what we want to continue growing.”
Overall winner, Rafique Firfirey and his co-driver and brother, Hishaam Firfirey, drove in the YQ Mini Cooper S 1.6 Turbo. They also won in the Class 3G division.
Sayed and partner, Leon Engelbrecht, won a gold medal in the Class 28B section, in their YQ Toyota 1.8 Conquest.
Drivers, Anton Smit and Natasha de Jager, were a fearsome tag team in the Class 12F, winning first position in their Datsun LDV 1600 bakkie.
The loud Nissan Sentra 200STi, driven by Wade Erasmus and Ernest Jooste, finished first in the Class 19A section.
In the Class 12C, André Smit and Natasha de Jager, drifting in the Autoworx VW Golf MKl 1600, took the gold medal with style.
Veteran driver, Duncan Jephtas, 65, from Kuils River, driving in a VW Golf, said the sport has a good camaraderie which keeps him young.
“We might look like hooligans to some people, but to control the car in that limit takes a lot of skill. The turnout was good for entries. It is a pity we had to be shut down by law enforcement for paperwork. We can’t race on the road so we’ll have to work on the paperwork to get back,” said Jephtas.
Francois Muller, from Kuils River, racing for the Northlink College team, said it was his third event.
Muller said they have workshops at Northlink College where they teach people to work on cars.
“I’ve always been involved in motorsport but this was something new so I enjoy it very much. I would encourage everyone to get involved in motorsport. It gives them an alternative avenue and keeps them off the streets,” said Muller.
VW Golf 16V Turbo driver, Leon Engelbrecht, from Stellenbosch, was in a “friendly competition” with his wife, Monique Engelbrecht.
Monique, driving in a VW bug (Herbie), said she enjoyed the day, especially coming up tops over her husband.
