KZN event promises to become a real classic

Knysna’s loss is KZN’S gain with inaugural Dezzi Raceway Challenge

FTER the annual Knysna Hillclimb was unexpectedly cancelled for 2013 due to sponsor withdrawal, the event is moving to a venue in Kwa-Zulu-Natal this year. Created initially as a replacement for the 2013 Knysna Hillclimb, the new event, which will run independently to any future Knysna Hillclimbs, has the potential to become an annual spectacle on the South African motorsport calendar. Set to take place on 18 and 19 May in Port Shepstone, the inaugural Dezzi Raceway Invitational Challenge – the brainchild of Dez Gutzeit who built the racing facility

Aoriginally for personal enjoyment – will see some of South Africa’s best drivers and fastest cars compete head-to-head in a flying-start, timeattack scenario. The 2.9-kilometre track, which is based on a runway and features numerous technical corners, has been built to FIA standards and boasts a full pit complex, clubhouse and safe spectator viewing points. Together with support from other Hillclimb heroes like Wilhelm Baard of Global GT-R in Hatfield, Pretoria, the new racing event has massive potential and hopes to appeal to the high concentration of racing fans in KZN, providing an opportunity for motorsport in the region. There has also been keen in- terest from the wider motorsport community and like the Knysna Hillclimb, this has potential to become a national event. Baard, who won the Knysna Hillclimb in 2011, says he was pleasantly surprised by the Port Shepstone track and has high hopes for the inaugural challenge. “Not only has Dez created a fantastic new location for motorsport in South Africa and Kwa-Zulu Natal specifically – where motorsport has dwindled in years of late – but the concept is a brilliant idea for all parties involved,” he says. “We decided to run the event at the same time as the 2013 Knysna Hillclimb would have taken place as the competitors had already prepared their cars for Knysna and had already made plans to travel and take off work in most cases. Motorsport is well known as being an expensive hobby to undertake and this way our friends and rivals are still able to exploit their hard work and wellprepared machines in an all-new and very exciting environment.” Dez, whose son Jade won the Knysna Hillclimb in 2012, comments: “Running on an invitational basis at first, we have selected the top 25 cars and drivers in the country, largely pooled from the Knysna Hillclimb fraternity, to battle it out on the track at a professional and safe racing event. “We wanted to do something great for South African motorsport and the Dezzi Raceway Invitational Challenge is sure to create a stir,” says Dez. “It will be the quintessential petrolhead event of 2013 and we hope it goes on to become an annual highlight going forward. The Challenge has very humble beginnings with massive potential. “In future we want to create an event similar to the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK, incorporating racing, parades and shows.” Spectator entry to the May 18-19 event will be R80 for adults.