Over the last few days you would have seen lots of beautiful images, videos and a few oopsies at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, but most exciting news for South Africans has to be local lad taking a prestigious award among all the legendary drivers, including former Formula 1, Le Mans and WRC champs and winners.
Capetonian Giniel de Villiers and his Dakar Racing Toyota Hilux was honoured with the Driver’s Award at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. De Villiers (41) drove the Hilux on hot laps on the 4 km Goodwood forest stage and was chosen by marshals and the clerk of the course as the most exciting driver on the weekend. This award would have surprised few as Giniel and his special red-painted Hilux was fourth fastest of all contenders on the forest stage and was only beaten by three World Rally Championship (WRC) cars.
The former SA Touring Car, Off-road champ and 2009 Dakar Rally winner is also a previous recipient of CAR’s Motorsport Award.
“The guys really liked the bakkie,” says Giniel of the spectators and the handful of co-drivers lucky enough to make it into the Hilux. “I had the Hilux on two wheels on Friday and I guess that people really enjoyed that.”
“We come here to have some fun and showcase the Dakar Racing Hilux, yet in some sense it is also the spiritual start to our Dakar campaign, which will start in full force at the end of this month in the Namib desert,” says Giniel.
“The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an amazing show…“So many great and historic racing cars and drivers are on hand and the atmosphere is incredible. If you love cars, you have to attend this festival at least once in your life.”
