The Southern Equitorial Ferrari Automobili Club, better known as SEFAC, has once again rallied it’s members from around the country to host it’s Kyalami track day, one of the most popular and biggest annual events for the club in terms of member participation. Members, who must own a Ferrari to carry this title, gather from all over South Africa to participate in this well organised and exciting event, focused on allowing Ferrari owners to stretch the stabled thoroughbred legs of these provocative automotive equestrians where their bloodlines originate … on a racetrack.
The collection of cars on offer for the public to drool over encompasses everything from the 365GTB Daytona of the 1960s, all the way up to some of the very latest models, which this year included the 599 GTO and the new FF, Ferrari’s first four-seater, four-wheel-drive offering. Not to be missed were the various stampedes of 360 Modenas, F430s, 458 Italias, the ever-awesome Ferrari F40s and an appearance from a very rare steed indeed, the Ferrari F50. However, a huge treat to the tifosi (fans) and yet another special stallion to be seen roaring around the track was the Ferrari 250 GT SWB, as piloted by Sir Stirling Moss to victory at the RAC Tourist Trophy event in 1961, a vehicle which is impressively fluent in V12 linguistics.
As always, the event is well organised and enthusiastically attended by the SEFAC members and the general public, who wait in excited anticipation for this annual showcase, which SEFAC reports to have reached numbers of up to 15 000 spectators. Besides the Ferraris of course, attractions to be found at the event included the Ferrari Store, loaded with all kinds of wallet-slimming Ferrari goodies, as well as a very technologically advanced driving simulator which was located in the member’s pit area. Suspended on electronically controlled hydraulic arms, the driver experiences vibrations and simulations of acceleration, braking and body roll while at the same time clutching the racing steering wheel, all nestled in front of three huge LCD screens to give the driver a full-view experience. Eager to test their driving skills, people of all ages queue for a chance to beat the fastest lap time, which on this occasion was set by the very capable Jaki Scheckter.
Also, people who are lucky enough to know a member of the club can sign an indemnity form, don a helmet and be whisked around the track in Italian style. However, if you don’t know any of the members and can get there early enough, you can get yourself in the passenger seat of a Ferrari by buying a ticket from the Cotlands charity counter and you too can enjoy the thrill of being driven around the track in a Ferrari, plus you’ll be doing a good deed by contributing to charity at the same time. SEFAC continue to hold events for their members throughout the year and each year endeavour to raise funds towards charitable causes like Reach for a Dream, Cotlands and Casa Serena old-age home in Bedfordview, a very noble and kind effort indeed.
Thank you SEFAC for another fantastic Kyalami track day, we look forward to the next one. For those looking to attend, this event is usually held on the second weekend of July every year.
Watch this video as I was taken around the track in an F430.
