Endurance racing is definitely on the rise, not only internationally – on the local motorsport too. For those who do not already now, we have our very own endurance championship here in SA, known as the African Endurance Series.
Season finale
This multi-round series takes place at various tracks around SA, including Kyalami, Phakisa and Killarney and for the second time this year the championship visits the Mother City. Race fans in Cape Town can watch the season finale, which also happens to be the longest race of the calendar, 9-Hour this weekend at Killarney Raceway.
Returning heroes
32 cars are set to do battle, from pukka prototype racers such as Junos and Ligiers to more familiar sportscars such as the Porsche 911. Among the entries for this event are double Le Mans and Daytona 24-hour winner and former F1 star Jan Lammers, who will team up with SA Daytona victor, Le Mans expert and multiple SA race and rally champion Sarel van der Merwe in a Ginetta G55.
The driving field will host an array of title holders and well as local heroes, all sharing the tar of Killarney for the better part of Saturday afternoon and evening. Expect plenty of race action as there is quite a spread of performance across the assembled machinery.
Raging into the night
The 9-hour weekend starts with Friday afternoon practice leading up to a mandatory night session. Race action kicks off at midday on Saturday. Entry to the circuit costs R60 per adult, R20 for scholars under sixteen and under-12s are free.