Formula one stars Johnny Herbert and Marc Gene are the first of what is expected to be an impressive array of drivers to announce their participation in the Altech South African Formula One Two-Seater Grand Prix at the Kyalami circuit from August 7 to 9.
He learned to drive in a hearse and only got his licence at 24, but loads of determination has put Phillip Kekana at the forefront of racing in SA.
Building a race car — especially a competitive one — is not simply a matter of bolting on some trick suspension, fine tuning the engine and fitting a roll cage. The <i>Mail & Guardian</i> was present at the building of Craig Nicholson’s Class B Sabat-sponsored Mini Cooper S, and witnessed the frustrations this budget team faced before the car even turned a wheel.
The invitation was enticing. We were going to the Red island — the rather primitive, yet quaint Nosy Be island, situated on the northern-most tip of Madagascar, where extensive soil erosion makes it clear why it is referred to by its colour. To celebrate 35 years of its Hilux range, Toyota held the launch of its special-edition Hilux Legend35 on the island.
It used to be that if you weren’t a member of the Automobile Association (AA), roadside assistance consisted of your mate, the one with the battered bakkie, coming to tow you out of trouble. These days, however, there is plenty of help at hand for the mechanically challenged.
It’s probably fair to say that reviewers of cars don’t do as much as we could in the way of crash-testing. Asking questions about a new model’s crumple zones by, say, slamming the car into a concrete wall at 88kph, is generally held to be exceeding one’s brief as a motoring reporter. The new SLK oozes playboy bravado. But how was it in an (accidental) crash?
"Know what can make or break a deal? The salesman. There’s nothing to gladden a girl’s heart more than a salesman who’s informative without being patronising, and attentive without fawning all over you." Sharon Gill recently underwent the trauma of buying a new(ish) car. Things aren’t always as simple as they should be.
Building the vehicle is the easy part — planning and co-ordinating the launch is enough to make anyone sweat blood. Take a look at the lengths Toyota South Africa went to for the Hilux Legend35 launch in Madagascar last month …
Launched three years ago as part of Southern Cross School’s fund-raising campaign, the Laborie African Bush Banquet is clearly more than just some local potjie cook-out. <i>Earthyear</i> joins a unique bush bash that provides funds for education and a marketing opportunity for ecotourism outfits.