Tarlton Raceway has always been part of South African drag racing folklore. Long before motorsport became polished and corporate, Tarlton built its reputation on raw horsepower, loud crowds, burnt rubber, and Friday nights that felt more like festivals than race meetings. Entire generations grew up standing against those barriers, feeling Funny Cars shake the ground beneath their feet.
That atmosphere returned in full force in March. Fans poured back through the gates as drag racing reclaimed its spiritual home, with roaring launches, packed pit areas, and the unmistakable adrenaline that only Tarlton delivers. SABAT added another layer to the experience with major giveaways throughout the day, including backup power systems, battery prizes, and merchandise draws that kept crowds gathered around the stand between races.
Now, on 30 May, Tarlton gets ready to do it all again, only bigger. “The response in March reminded everyone why Tarlton matters to South African motorsport,” said Shawn Goetsh, Gauteng South Regional Manager, SABAT Batteries. “People came for the racing, but they stayed for the atmosphere, the community, and the excitement around the entire event. On 30 May, we’re turning that energy up even further.”
The Funny Cars return to headline another high-octane evening, bringing the brutal acceleration and noise that make drag racing one of the most visceral spectator sports in the world. Fans will also get the chance to see rising young driver Marco Preturius continue his journey in the sport, adding another exciting storyline to a night already packed with action.
Away from the strip, the SABAT stand is set to become a major attraction in its own right. Visitors will be able to jump into an all-ages race simulator and experience the intensity of racing from the driver’s seat. “We wanted the experience to extend beyond the track itself,” Shaun explained. “The simulator gives fans the chance to feel part of the action, and we’ve lined up some fantastic prizes again for people supporting the SABAT stand. There’s going to be a lot happening from the moment the gates open.”
Fans who visited the SABAT stand in March walked away with far more than just an adrenaline rush. The day featured major giveaways including a backup power supply worth R25,000, a second backup power system valued at R9,000, and a battery prize worth R3,500, alongside merchandise draws and fan activations that kept the excitement going between races. At the upcoming event, merchandise purchases will once again give fans automatic entry into a range of major prize draws happening throughout the day.
Don’t miss the fun
The March event proved how much appetite still exists for drag racing at Tarlton. Families arrived early and stayed late. Long-time fans relived memories from decades past while younger spectators experienced the sport’s atmosphere for the first time. Everywhere you looked there were conversations about cars, launches, reaction times, and who was brave enough to stand closest to the strip when the Funny Cars fired up.
That is what makes Tarlton special. It has always been more than racing. It’s the smell of fuel in the cold air, the vibration in your chest when the lights go green, and the sound of engines echoing across the venue while crowds gather around the barriers waiting for the next run.
On 30 May, that tradition continues. Fans heading to Tarlton can expect fast cars, major giveaways, family entertainment, adrenaline-fuelled racing, and the return of one of South Africa’s great motorsport atmospheres. The lights are coming back on, the engines are warming up, and Tarlton is ready to remind people exactly why drag racing belongs there.
Find out more and book your tickets here.