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December is turning into a big month for endurance racing in South Africa – and it is going to be an XXXL month for a quartet of South African drivers stepping tentatively into the circuit racing scene….Following hot on the heels of the Kyalami Nine Hour is the final round of the South African Endurance Series (SAES) and joining the grid at Cape Town’s Killarney circuit are four enthusiasts apprentice racers who are about to embark on the ride of their life!
Come December 10; Xolela Njumbuxa, Kwanele Letlaka, Bapi Rubuluza and Fikile Holomisa will be alongside the likes of Reghard Roets, Franco de Matteo, Steve Clark, Clare Vale, Stiaan Kriel, Robyn Kriel and Morne Jurgens. Not only will they be in the company of some of the country’s most skilful racers, but they will be driving a car that is almost identical to those of the aforementioned circuit veterans.
Xolela and Kwanele have already been blooded, bringing their Cobra sports car home fourth in category and seventh overall at the East London 4-Hr race on October 2. Joining them in Cape Town will be Fikile and Bapi, both of whom found about the Cobra opportunity via a social media campaign. Thanks to the motorsport advancement initiative from Backdraft Racing – an offshoot of Backdraft Cars, which makes fibreglass-bodied Cobra replicas in a modern factory just outside Durban – the quartet will step up a gear.
Backdraft is an established brand and exports Cobras internationally. Two years ago, they decided to build cars specifically for the SAES, and thereby create a class that not only be affordable but also allow for a level playing field in which driving skill (and of course strategy in endurance racing) would be key. To this end, what is now class E of SAES comprises near-identical replica Cobras, all powered by 300 kW V8 motors and competing under a set of rules that see tyres, brakes, suspension and other aspects of the car strictly controlled.
According to Backdraft Racing’s Brian Martin, who administers this series within a series, the keep-it-simple philosophy has resulted in some great racing and full fields – thanks in no small measure to the option of renting rather than buying a car.
“The Cobras are affordable to run, yet they are also potent beasts and a blast to drive,” says Martin. “Teams need to have all facets of their programme together if they are to be competitive and of course this includes driver changes, refuelling and all the other sideshows that often go unseen in endurance racing.
“We decided that through Backdraft Racing we had a golden opportunity to put something into local motorsport – to a large degree it continues to be perceived as elitist, where money and connections rather than skill and determination get you to the startline and we, therefore, decided to dedicate a car to an advancement programme.
“We haven’t done it for the accolades though – we’ve done it simply because we want to give something back – it’s a sport which we as a company and as individuals remain passionate about,” says Martin.
Adds Xolela, whose racing experience up to now has been running a VW Golf on a shoestring budget in his hometown of Port Elizabeth: “This has been a dream come true – I love racing and getting behind the wheel of a Cobra for the first time left me speechless. My experiences at the Four Hour were amazing and I’m super-excited about going to Killarney.”
“To see enthusiasts like Xolele, Kwanele, Bapi and Fikile racing in one of our cars is a great thrill and we hope – budget permitting – to continue the initiative into the 2022 season and beyond,” said Martin. “In the meantime, we have our work cut out getting cars and drivers ready for the event, which is going to be a serious learning curve!”
Martin also acknowledged the contribution made to the programme by various partners. These include 247 Racing Fuels (who will supply a steady supply of the amber liquid these beasts love so much), Stigworx (who will provide VBOX-based track coaching service when the team gets to Killarney), and also Dicktator, Mtrac Diff and Gearbox, Kalgard and Mr Price.
