Revved up for top gears in fast lanes

Drivers ready to go full-tilt at ‘Ford and Friends’

THE East London Grand Prix track will be bursting at the seams as the eagerly-anticipated Ford and Friends race day gets under way at the track tomorrow.

The popular event makes its return to East London for the first time since 2011 and brings with it a whole host of top-class racing action that will delight fans of the sport.

Some of the best racers from across the country will be in attendance and will be looking to entertain as they fly around the country’s fastest racetrack.

Many of the competitors will today get their first feel of the course as a full day of practice rounds takes place at the track before the action gets under way.

The fast and flashy V8 Masters, the famous All Ford Race – an endurance race – the exciting Sports and GT race, open wheels and races for classic touring cars and Dunlop historics, as well as regional modifieds and clubmans rounds all add up to a day of top-class action.

Raceday will also mark the end of an era as South African racing legend Koos Swanepoel, competes in his last race ever.

He will be joined by several other SA race legends in the event, including his son Kosie, Willie Hepburn, Larry Wilford, Grant Duckham and East London’s finest – including Ian and Jaki Scheckter and Martin van Zummeren – to name just a few.

Also on show on the day will be drift demos by local hero and SA champion Wade van Zummeren in his R34 Skyline, a drag challenge featuring Tolla Daniels and his sub-10 second Mk1 Ford Escort. There will also be a karting demonstration, along with a Ford fan park, a new Ford display and classic car display.

A Ford and Friends first will also be an attempt to break the record for the most father-son-daughter – and even mother – combinations to compete at the same meeting. The action will be televised on DStv Ignition on channel 189 for the first time, while Cape race fans can catch the special Ford and Friends supporter’s bus up and back from Cape Town.

Contact the Border Motorsport Club for more details at (043) 736-4023/4 or e-mail

The action gets going from 11am with entrance R60 for spectators and R50 for those driving a Ford.