For the first time ever, Killarney International Raceway will host a ‘time attack’ event on 23 and 24 April, powered by the city of Cape Town and Masterdrive.
The Killarney Speed Festival is a new and exciting motorsport event open to almost any type of car or motorcycle, with classes for Street Cars (subdivided according to engine type and drivetrain), Classic Cars, Historic Racing Cars, Modified Saloon Cars (also subdivided according to engine type and drivetrain), Single Seaters and Sports & GT Cars, as well two categories of Motorcycles.
Competitors run one at a time over a 1.9-kilometre course, starting about 150 metres before Malmesbury Sweep, proceeding up the Tygerberg Straight through Interceptor Corner, followed by Quarry Corner, the Joubert Straight and Hoal’s Hook to finish on the Porsche Straight at the current finish line. The quickest time wins and there are trophies for each class plus the various overall shootouts to be King of Killarney.
The course runs anticlockwise, the opposite of the conventional circuit direction, and it has been laid out to favour well-handling cars – some of the ‘big bangers’ may be in for a surprise! But the big difference between the Speed Festival and racing as we know it, is that contestants run solo. The start procedure is also unique: the contestants make a standing start when the red light turns green but timing will only begin when they cross the timing line, about 10 metres from the start line.
The event will run over two days, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 April. Saturday will see practise and qualifying runs, while Sunday features a warm-up session, final qualifying and class finals, culminating in a shootout featuring the fastest vehicles in each category.
Spectator tickets for each day, from Computicket or at the gate, are R80 for adults, R20 for scholars under 16 and free for children under 12 – but you can also purchase discounted tickets for both days at R100 for adults, R40 for scholars under 16 and free for children under 12. Western Province Motor Club members also get in free on both days, on production of their membership book at the gate.
All the Killarney food and beverage outlets around the course will be open all day on both days to keep spectators ‘fueled up’ and, as always, you’re invited to park alongside the course with your gazebo or umbrella, your cooler box and skottelbraai and make a weekend of it.
Picture: Supplied
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