Zwartkops will celebrate 25 glorious years of its fan favourite Passion for Speed featuring a dazzling entry including several international attractions to the Pretoria racetrack this coming Saturday 31 January. The quarter-century celebrations will only add to the splendid atmosphere of a special day rooted in the original Piper Series and the memories of the 9 Hour and Springbok Series of the 1960s and ‘seventies.
Topping the Passion for Speed bill, the Pre-74 International Sports Prototypes have attracted overseas entries including Kennet Persson’s thundering 1967 Can Am McLaren 5B and Janne Kling in an original Le Mans 1965 Ford GT40. They have some rapid locals to deal with, including Peter Bailey’s Porsche 917 tribute, Larry Wilford, and Neil Lobb‘s Lola T70 ?K3B coupes, Mark du Toit’s Doug Serrurier tribute Trans Lola T70 spider. Jonathan du Toit races a Chevron B8, Lee Thompson the ex-Broeckhoven Lolette and Seef Fourie Jr. the ex-Jack Holme Ecosse MK2.
The GT pack will also entertain. Porsche 911 RSR gang, Keegan Campos, Andre Bezuidenhout, George Avvakoumides, Andre van der Merwe and Herman Kluge will have more than enough to keep them busy in the likes of Rudolf de Vos’ Little Chevy Firenza Can Am and the Hennie Groenewald Datsun 240Z. Just as it was in the 9 Hours of yore.
Even closer to those great original endurance races, the 45 minute Le Mans Sports & GT Tourist Trophy adds a compulsory pit stop and voluntary driver change. Headed by international entries from Janne Kling’s Ford GT40, Michiel Campagne and Frans van Maarschalkerwaard’s Daytona Cobra and Patrick Mortier driving an AC Cobra with Ryan Quan-Chai, their job will not be easy, knowing the TT winning habits of the local likes of Warren Lombard’s AC Cobra, Jonathan and Mark du Toit’s Ford GT40 and James Temple’s Daytona Cobra. Add Peter Bailey and Oliver Dalais’ Ford GT40s, Michael Kernick and Marc Miller’s Ford Daytona, Allen Meyer’s Chevron B8 and Robbie Frank in a Lotus 23B and Josh and Jake Dovey’s Ginetta G4R.
Special interest TT South Africana also includes of John and Chad Ten Doeschate’s Marauder Mk.3, Ben van der Westhuizen’s Mk.2 and Ish Baloyi and Nicole Donker’s GSM Darts. Old Group N fans will be delighted by Chris Davison and Stuart Mack’s Opel Kadett Superboss, Jason Campos’ BMW 325iS and Peter and daughter Fabienne Lanz driving the Fiat Uno Turbo Peter won with back in the day. Plus Kosie Swanepoel will drive the 1974 Toyota Celica his dad raced in the ’71 9 Hour.
Another huge Passion for Speed attraction, the Pre’66 Legends of the 9 Hour Production Cars will see overseas visitors Frans van Maarschalkerwaard and Harmen van Putten’s Chev Camaro and Michiel Campagne in a Chevy Bel Air thrill the Passionate crowd. But they’ll have some pretty stiff local competition to deal with. Like Ford men Ben Morgenrood and Chad Ten Doeschate’s Mustangs, Lee Thompson’s Galaxie, Colin Ellison’s Thunderbolt, Mark du Toit in a Fairlane and Hennie Groenewald and James Temple’s Capri Peranas. Add Jonathan du Toit’s Chevy Nova, Seef Fourie Jr.’s Mercury Cougar and Warren Lombard in a Studebaker Lark.
A 25th birthday Passion for Speed novelty is the new Classic GT Legends class with a fresh mix of eclectic historic racecars together for the first time. Entries include Modified V8s, Franco di Matteo’s Mustang and Opel men, Lee Thompson’s Astra, Seef Fourie Jr in a Rekord and Joe dos Santos’ Calibra up against 70’s legends Hennie Groenewald’s Camaro, Rudolf de Vos’ Can Am, Andre Diedericks’ Capri Perana, Carel Pienaar Datsun 240Z and Oliver Broome’s BMW 3.0 CSL. And contemporary GT3 gang, Wayne Roach, Nathan, Sam and Damian Hammond’s Lamborghini Gallardos, Mark du Toit’s Ford GT1 and Mo Mia’s Porshe 996 for good measure.
The local South African Historic Single Seaters always deliver great interest. Look forward to classic Formula Fords, Vees and other machines that made local racing history over the years. And possibly even a few Formula Atlantics and rasping rotary Formula South Africa machines.
Evapco HRSA Sprint races always entertain with their blend of Porsches, V8s and rotaries up front and a horde of classic racing Fords, Alfas, Datsuns, Volkswagens and the rest in chase in the classes. So big is the HRSA entry, that it’s split into two with Classes F and G racing alone on Saturday. Should be fun! There’s also a healthy grid of Legends Little Giants, while contemporary race fans can look forward to the BMW M Performance Parts Series swarm racing with a little extra Passion in a unique turbo and normally aspirated split.
There’s of course far more to the Passion for Speed with Zwartkops Raceway pulling out all the stops to start the 2026 local motorsport calendar with a feast for fans. Formula 1 and drifting demos, aerobatic displays, and Zwartkops’ spectacular Fan Experience. Enjoy the pit walk and driver meet and greet with special autograph, photo opportunities, and passenger rides. Family friendly fun zones pack in race simulators, karts, quad rides, and kids’ entertainment from jumping castles to face painters, balloon artists, and stilt walkers to a scavenger hunt.
The Passion for Speed action doubles up with a second meeting to open the regular Historic and Regional season at the Red Star Raceway a week later, but 31 January for the Zwartkops Passion for Speed really should be your destination this coming Saturday. Log on to Computicket to book your discounted tickets, or buy them at the gate at R230 per adult, R150 for students with kids under 12 free.
What : Passion for Speed Preview
Where : Zwartkops Raceway, Pretoria
When : Saturday 31 January 2026
