Past stars line up for spectacle of speed
FAST ’ N FURIOUS The Passion for Speed takes place at Zwartkops Raceway from tomorrow until Sunday. More than 350 racing cars and motorcycles will take to the track in more than 26 racing events. Many of the cars will be stars of yesteryear and there will also be some legendary drivers including Sarel Van der Merwe. A number of international race cars rarely seen in SA have also been shipped in for this annual event.
Volkswagen wins rally battle
ON FORM The 2015 World Rally Championship kicked off last weekend with the legendary Monte Carlo Rally. For the first two days fans were kept on the edge of their seats by a duel raging between Sébastien Ogier in the new Volkswagen Polo R WRC and Sébastien Loeb in a Citroën. Loeb eventually dropped back and Ogier took the win ahead of his two VW team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen. The domination of the podium made VW only the fifth manufacturer ever to have achieved the one-two-three at the “Monte”.
Chinese team makes history
VICTORY Dongfeng Race Team claimed a key landmark in the 41-year history of the Volvo Ocean Race this week when they emphatically won leg three in their home port of Sanya to take the overall lead with six stages to go. No Chinese team has won a leg in the race before despite two previous entries — Green Dragon in 2008-09 and Team Sanya in 2011-12. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing finished second with Team Alvimedica in third.
Choose to drive dry in February
BOOZE BREAK With more than 1,300 people dying on South African roads during the 2014-15 festive season, and alcohol abuse a factor in many of the deaths/injuries, the AlcoFreeFeb campaign helps participants experience the health benefits from a month’s abstinence, gives financial support to road traffic victims, highlights the preventable road carnage and educates about the harm excessive drinking causes. Signing up for February on www.alcofreefeb.co.za costs R100 with funds going towards continuing the work of South Africans Against Drunk Driving (www.sadd.org.za) in road safety, alcohol education, research, advocacy and victim support.
Top company car award for BMW
HIGH FIVE The BMW 5 Series is the best company car for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) according to UK news portal Business Car Manager. Now in its third year, the SME Company Car of the Year Awards are specifically aimed at companies in the small business and SME sector and recognise the best company cars. The judging panel, consisting of independent small business specialists, overwhelmingly felt that the BMW offered the best driving experience and made the most financial sense for small business executives.