It doesn’t matter if you’re talking four wheels or two; South Africa has a rich history in motorsports. This is home to some of the world’s best racing drivers who have shone both on the global and local stage. Here’s a look at five of South Africa’s top racing drivers and the cars and bikes that made them famous.
1.Jody Scheckter: The Formula 1 Champion
Car: Ferrari 312T4
Ask any South African, and they will probably tell you Jody Scheckter is the most famous South African racing driver. Scheckter, best known for his aggressive driving style, won the Formula 1 World Championship in 1979. For his championship-winning season, he drove the iconic Ferrari 312T4. Most will agree that this particular Ferrari was a marvel of engineering, built around a flat-12 engine that delivered the “voomah” needed to dominate F1 that year.
The 312T4 won three Drivers’ and four Constructors’ titles for Ferrari, cementing the model as the most successful car in F1 history. Crucial to its success was a revolutionary transverse orientation (the “T” in 312T4) of the gearbox behind the engine, which moved the car’s center of gravity forward.
To this day, Scheckter is the only South African to have won a Formula 1 Championship, so it’s no surprise he is a national hero in the motorsport community.
2. Giniel de Villiers: The Dakar Legend
Car: Toyota Hilux
Giniel de Villiers is a huge name in off-road racing, particularly for his wins in the punishing Dakar Rally. He’s had multiple stage wins and podium finishes, but notably, he won in 2009, confirming his place as one of the world’s top rally drivers.
In recent years, De Villiers has driven a Toyota GR DKR Hilux, that rugged beast which withstood many a Dakar Rally. The GR DKR is the off-road competition version of South Africa’s favorite, the Toyota Hilux. The 2024 model, roaring in on a 3.4-litre V6 turbo-petrol engine, producing 300 kW of power and 620 N.m of torque, will set you back an eye-watering R16 million (estimated).
But regardless of the financial cost, a good portion of De Villiers’ success can be laid at the rubber feet of the reliable and powerful Hilux, while the rest must go to his physical endurance, driving prowess, and tactical proficiency.
3. Wayne Taylor: The Endurance Racer
Car: Cadillac DPi-V.R
While we’re on the topic of endurance, Wayne Taylor is a name that will resonate through the endurance racing driverscommunity. Although his career highlights have mostly been in the United States of America, Taylor is a born and bred South African. Taylor is best known for his outrageous successes in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and his multiple wins in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
He is famous for driving the DPi-V.R, a prototype race car made by Cadillac, which excels at speed, agility, and endurance. The DPi-V.R, unveiled in 2016, announced Cadillac’s grand return to sports car racing after a 14-year hiatus. Taylor’s team drove the car to its first win at the 2017 Daytona, and it has garnered several race wins since then.
Taylor also leads his team with skill and experience, consistently taking them to podium places at many endurance races.
4. Hudson Kennaugh: The Superbike Maverick
Bike: Yamaha YZF-R1
Hudson Kennaugh is legendary for winning the 2003 South African Supersport 1000cc Superbike Championship on his first attempt. He followed that up in 2005 with the championship title at the GSX-R Cup. Since then, Kennaugh has used his super-skills of versatility and speed to compete in various races, notably the British Superbike Championship and the Isle of Man TT race.
His ride of choice is often the powerful and agile Yamaha YZF-R1. With its advanced aerodynamics and world-renowned engine, the R1 has provided the perfect saddle from which Kennaugh can mete out track justice using his trademark aggressive riding style.
David Perel: The GT Racing Specialist
Car: Ferrari 488 GT3
European GT racing knows David Perel’s name well for competing in prestigious events like the Blancpain GT Series. Perel’s surgical precision in driving the Ferrari 488 GT3 has garnered him places in multiple championships such as the VLN, Creventic, and Italian GT.
In 2020, his work ethic and adaptability won Perel a tied first place in the European Le Mans Series with Kessel Racing. The Ferrari 488 GT3, which comes with a twin-turbocharged V8 engine, aluminium chassis, and carbon fibre body, makes the word “masterpiece” an understatement. This level of engineering and performance delivers results on the track, giving Perel exactly what he needed to earn success and recognition in GT racing.
Honourable Mentions
This list would not be complete without a few other South Africans who deserve recognition for their racing prowess in motorsport.
We would be remiss not to mention the rallying and circuit racing legend, Sarel van der Merwe, and Terry Moss, who made waves in the touring car circuit. And when it comes to motorbikes, Sheridan Morais must be mentioned for his stellar performance in international competitions, all of which is to say that South Africa deserves its reputation as a breeding ground for top-tier racing talent.