The 25th Passion For Speed set to be motorsport feast
The 25th Passion For Speed set to be a motorsport feast for fans
Zwartkops Raceway is pulling out all the stops to start the 2026 local motorsport calendar with a feast for fans at the 25th anniversary of the Passion For Speed event at the end of this month (30-31 January).
The de facto local motorsport season opener has established itself as a showpiece event on the national calendar. However, this year’s edition will provide additional reasons to celebrate the passion of everyone involved in the sport. 2026 will mark the silver jubilee of the annual event, founded to preserve the heritage of motor racing in South Africa. This year also sees the primary hosting venue and event organiser, Zwartkops Raceway, celebrating 25 years of the current circuit layout, which has since become the most utilised venue on the national and northern regions’ calendars.
While the passionate efforts of the owners and management must be commended, the real driving force behind Zwartkops Raceway’s success is a strong fan base that regularly frequents the spectator areas. The last 25 years have hardly been easy for those involved in South African motorsport, but it is thanks to continued public support that it remains a thriving industry. In appreciation of this, the organisers have put together a bigger and better two-day event programme than before.
The on-track activities will be headlined by the Legends Of 9-Hour race categories, which include Classic GT (Pre’ 06), Trans-AM & Greats of the Past (Pre 2016), Pre ’00 International Sports Racing Prototypes, V8 Touring Cars, Pre’ 66 Production Cars, Pre’ 66/68 Little Giants, and U2. While this group will be featured in a host of sprint races, another regular crowd favourite from the Legends Of The 9-Hour camp will be the 45-minute Pre/68/68 Le Mans Sports & GT race, taking place around midday on Saturday. As has become the custom, these races will also feature drivers and cars from abroad.
Adding to the celebration of historic racing will be the Evapco Historic Racing South Africa series and Historic Single Seaters. Also making another appearance on the roster is the BMW ///M Performance Parts Race Series, which will begin a new chapter in its history, with the race weekend marking the debut of the Turbo Cup and NA Cup.
A theme incorporated into this year’s Passion For Speed is the 60th anniversary of Ford’s maiden triumph over Ferrari at arguably the most prestigious motorsport event, the Le Mans 24-Hour race. The on-track activities will also include demonstration laps featuring these motorsport icons.
Complementing this will be displays by the Lazarus Ford Group, featuring the 1966 Ford GT40, the 2025 Ford GT, and the 2020 Ford GT. The Pablo Clark Racing stable will also display some of its iconic Ferrari models.
The battle between these two manufacturers has become one of the greatest motorsport stories, inspiring the 2019 James Mangold-directed film Ford v Ferrari. In a first for the Passion For Speed programme, this film will be shown on the Pit Stop Sports Café big screen on Friday night, with more details regarding this promotion to be announced on the Zwartkops Raceway social media platforms.
Usual attractions such as drift passenger rides and a kids’ entertainment area will again form part of the event. Spectators can also expect a variety of food, drink, and merchandise stalls.
Zwartkops Raceway is always open to spectators bringing along their own drinks, gazebos, camping chairs, and braais, to make the most of the experience with fellow motorsport fans. As with every Passion For Speed event, spectators are welcome to make a long weekend of the event by camping at the circuit.
Spectator tickets can be purchased in advance at a discounted rate via Computicket or at the Zwartkops Raceway office at R230 per adult and R140 per student. Children under 12 will be allowed in at no charge.
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