Big crowd entertained in celebration of women in motorsport
A sizeable Zwartkops Raceway crowd were treated to an action-packed Saturday (9 August) as everyone celebrated the achievements of women in South African motorsport.
Coinciding with National Women’s Day, the race day included a callout to all attendees to dress up in pink. This call was backed by various stakeholders in the automotive and motorsport industry, such as AMG Experience, Volkswagen Driving Academy, Dunlop Tyres, ATS Motorsport, 1st Race, Sparco, Motorsport South Africa, The Institute For Driving Safety, Motorsport Fanatix, Perfume Arts, Clubmans Racing, SPS Silver Cup 2.0, and BMW Car Club Gauteng, who donated prizes to entice spectators, competitors, and officials alike to take up the Touch Of Pink Challenge.
Participation was not merely limited to pink shirts, hairspray, or interesting outfits. A host of competitors also added pink to their car liveries or pit areas. The marshals and officials also joined the celebrations.
Boasting a packed programme of racing series, the day’s highlight was the PABAR Monoposto Ladies Race, a historic first all-female main-circuit race in South Africa, with cars made available by regular competitors in the Northern Regions single-seater series, as well as cars competing in other single-seater championships. The competitors included a host of experienced and debutant drivers. Contested over five laps, the race was won by Monique Wallendorf, with Bianca Ferreira and Roxana van Weely completing the podium.
“It was a historic occasion for South Africa, Zwartkops Raceway, and likely the whole of Africa, something that I am really proud to have been a part of.” Said Nicole Donker, one of the competitors, who finished the race in fourth place. “This was not the easiest event to put together as we knew there would be a lot of eyes on us, but we added a successful chapter to South African motorsport history today, on a day that we celebrate the achievements of women in our country. We want to thank everyone who made this event possible and who contributed to our successful outing.”
The event drew support from a host of South African and international competitors, who formed part of the celebrations by collaborating with the social media campaign that accompanied the event. One of these drivers, Tyler Robinson, who earlier this year became only the second female race winner in the Astron Energy Polo Cup, and who also competes in the Clio Cup Mid-Europe, was also in attendance for the Pabar Monoposto Ladies Race. “While I did not compete in the race, I was not going to miss supporting the ladies as they took to the circuit.” Said Robinson. “I thoroughly enjoyed the race, and I look forward to seeing all of you compete again.”
The commentary team also included a female voice. Addisyn Moloney, the youngest commentator in South African motorsport, formed part of the team that kept the crowd informed, while also collaborating on the social media campaign.
Tanya Human, Chief Executive Officer of the Zwartkops International World Of Motoring facility, also echoed the sentiments conveyed as she thanked everyone who made the event possible. “We hoped, worked towards, and believed that we would make this event a successful one, but the result exceeded even our expectations. Thank you to those who participated, officiated, and organised. I know many of us had a few early mornings and late nights, but being part of such a fantastic event was one of the best rewards ever. Thank you to our event partners for your input and donations; we would not have been able to pull this off without you. Lastly, thank you to everyone who took up our Touch Of Pink Challenge. We may have brought you the venue, programme, and prizes, but you brought the atmosphere that made this celebration of women in motorsport one of 2025’s most memorable events.”
Zwartkops Raceway will enter a busy season soon. Apart from various corporate events and shows, the remainder of the 2025 motorsport calendar will also see another round of the Historic & Inland Championships on 20 September, before the season finales for both the national (25 October) and regional (8 November) rosters of the Extreme Festival. The motorsport season will then be concluded with the second Top Of The Hill event on 22 November.
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