War on the tarmac
A massive drag event was held last weekend at Okahandja's air strip which pitted the best South Africa has to offer against our local talent.
The 'Race Wars' drag race with Namibian and South African drivers and riders at the Okahandja airstrip on Saturday saw some of the fastest times on the local motorsport scene.
Of the total cars and motorbike entrants, 11 were from South Africa, mostly Cape Town.
The much-hyped event which featured dragsters from South Africa opened their gates around 09:00 while racing commenced at 10:00.
Namibian drag racers performed well, either edging the South African dragsters or losing narrowly.
Namibia's record holder over the quarter mile, Dewaal Theunissennd, who in his Toyota Levin clocked a time of 10.46 seconds last year, showed up at the event but didn't have any recorded runs. Theunissennd broke the side shafts of his car while attempting to launch his vehicle during a race.
South African Reece 'Buddy' Robertson on his BMW S1000RR bike was the fastest over the quarter mile (about 400m), with a time of 9.48.2 seconds after three attempts of 9.6s and 9.7s.
He told Nampa the success was possible after a pit stop.
“We changed the chain, the sprockets and tyre pressure to achieve the time,” said the racer, who used a customised machine with an extended framework to reach speeds of over 250 km per hour.
Robertson said this was to prevent the front wheel from lifting at the start, which can be dangerous and costs time.
Another South African, Zain Ryland, in his Ford XRT8TT ensured the best time in a motor vehicle when he clocked 10.89.7s. He was followed by Michael van Zyl's Volkswagen Golf 7R which clocked 10.95. The “Mad Tuned” branded 7R now holds the record as the fastest Golf in the country and the first Golf to breach the 11 second mark.
Namibian racer, Adam Mohamed and his 1987 Toyota Stallion pick-up dubbed 'Tolla Bakkie', recorded 11.55.6s.
Mohamed said the track was difficult due to the poor traction but he managed to take on several South Africans with their vehicles that are evidently better equipped.
“I had a couple of good runs with the South Africans and it was a good experience for me,” he said.
Some of the South Africans, who are used to race on well-prepared and specially built tracks, were impressed with the runway, apart from the traction at the start and their cars losing power due to the track being so high above sea level.
Warren Thomas, one of the organisers, told this reporter they are already planning the next event after the overwhelming response from both spectators and participants. Approximately 2 000 spectators showed up to the 'drags'.
Drag racers however were uneasy upon hearing an announcement stating that drag racers were to race any participant that was in line with them at that moment. Thus, there was a stark display of mismatched races.
This, coupled with the fact that the entries for racing were closed at around 12:00, disheartened many Namibians.
Thomas said racers weren't allowed to pick their opponents because it would've prevented the smooth flow of the event.
Racers losing by big margins as a result of this decision did not appreciate the decision resulting in a few individuals withdrawing from the event.
Thomas said approximately seven cars and four bikes from South Africa competed with the locals in Okahandja.
The dates and venue have not been set yet but it will most likely be held at Okahandja again, as it is the only place with an unused airstrip that can be used for drag racing.
– Additional reporting by Nampa
COBIE BOK
Of the total cars and motorbike entrants, 11 were from South Africa, mostly Cape Town.
The much-hyped event which featured dragsters from South Africa opened their gates around 09:00 while racing commenced at 10:00.
Namibian drag racers performed well, either edging the South African dragsters or losing narrowly.
Namibia's record holder over the quarter mile, Dewaal Theunissennd, who in his Toyota Levin clocked a time of 10.46 seconds last year, showed up at the event but didn't have any recorded runs. Theunissennd broke the side shafts of his car while attempting to launch his vehicle during a race.
South African Reece 'Buddy' Robertson on his BMW S1000RR bike was the fastest over the quarter mile (about 400m), with a time of 9.48.2 seconds after three attempts of 9.6s and 9.7s.
He told Nampa the success was possible after a pit stop.
“We changed the chain, the sprockets and tyre pressure to achieve the time,” said the racer, who used a customised machine with an extended framework to reach speeds of over 250 km per hour.
Robertson said this was to prevent the front wheel from lifting at the start, which can be dangerous and costs time.
Another South African, Zain Ryland, in his Ford XRT8TT ensured the best time in a motor vehicle when he clocked 10.89.7s. He was followed by Michael van Zyl's Volkswagen Golf 7R which clocked 10.95. The “Mad Tuned” branded 7R now holds the record as the fastest Golf in the country and the first Golf to breach the 11 second mark.
Namibian racer, Adam Mohamed and his 1987 Toyota Stallion pick-up dubbed 'Tolla Bakkie', recorded 11.55.6s.
Mohamed said the track was difficult due to the poor traction but he managed to take on several South Africans with their vehicles that are evidently better equipped.
“I had a couple of good runs with the South Africans and it was a good experience for me,” he said.
Some of the South Africans, who are used to race on well-prepared and specially built tracks, were impressed with the runway, apart from the traction at the start and their cars losing power due to the track being so high above sea level.
Warren Thomas, one of the organisers, told this reporter they are already planning the next event after the overwhelming response from both spectators and participants. Approximately 2 000 spectators showed up to the 'drags'.
Drag racers however were uneasy upon hearing an announcement stating that drag racers were to race any participant that was in line with them at that moment. Thus, there was a stark display of mismatched races.
This, coupled with the fact that the entries for racing were closed at around 12:00, disheartened many Namibians.
Thomas said racers weren't allowed to pick their opponents because it would've prevented the smooth flow of the event.
Racers losing by big margins as a result of this decision did not appreciate the decision resulting in a few individuals withdrawing from the event.
Thomas said approximately seven cars and four bikes from South Africa competed with the locals in Okahandja.
The dates and venue have not been set yet but it will most likely be held at Okahandja again, as it is the only place with an unused airstrip that can be used for drag racing.
– Additional reporting by Nampa
COBIE BOK
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