'South African Champion' chronicles 125 years of single-seater racing
A new book covering the history of South African single-seater racing, Formula One Grands Prix and the country's many high-powered specials is now on sale.
Authored by motoring journalist and motorsport aficionado Michele Lupini, South African Champion tells the exclusive story of 125 years of local single-seater racing, starting from the first race in Cape Town in 1900 and powering on past the Cooper Formula juniors of the 1960s and 1970s.
Single-seater racing was huge during the early 20th century and drew crowds of up to 40,000 to watch South African-built single-seater specials giving international guests a hard time.
Each season is written and presented in a separate, eight-chapter story in the 304-page, limited edition book backed up by comprehensive data, images and original artwork.
Multiple races featuring iconic nameplates such as Auto Union were hosted in South Africa, and the book covers the racing exploits of legends such as Stirling Moss, John Love, Jim Clark and more.
The Springbok series, and newer series such as the A1-GP, Formula Ford, GTI, Volkswagen and Formula Vee are covered, including milestone anniversaries. Only 500 books will be printed.
'It took a year to put together. The book tracks an incredible history as it tells a truly epic story.
'Much of it was long forgotten, but South African Champion recalls it all in a full and representative timeline of single seater, specials and Formula One racing in Southern Africa,' Lupini said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Alviro Petersen warns Proteas: Australia a different kettle of fish in Lord's World Test Championship final
Ryan Rickelton Proteas openers Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram must prepare accordingly for the Duke ball at Lord's. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix ONE of the biggest questions that the South African batters will need to have answers for in the World Test Championship final is the slope at Lord's. Can the Proteas batters see out the Australian quicks with the slope at the famous London ground? Former Proteas Test opener Alviro Petersen, having played at Lord's, feels that Ryan Rickelton, who will open the batting with Aiden Markram, should have no problems with the slope, given that he plays at the Wanderers, where there is one as well. Petersen highlighted the importance of playing straight in England as an opening batter due to the conditions. 'I think Rickleton will be okay in terms of the slope because he plays at the Wanderers, where there's a slope. That will help him, or at least it will give him some sort of confidence to play on the slope,' Petersen told Independent Media. 'From a technical point of view, it's important, especially in England, that you look to play in the V early on. 'Now, remember if the dismissals are not caught behind, like in South Africa, where guys generally bowl slightly wide outside off-stump because of the bounce and trying to get you to play through the covers and then nick off. 'In England, they're going to bowl quite straighter lines. 'So, you know, that's the reality. Australia are not going to give you a lot of bad deliveries. 'You have to almost hit good deliveries of boundaries or see out good spells. So, that's the reality that they're up against. 'Australia would have done their homework already. 'If Rickleton plays square of the wicket, guys, we're not going to give him anything. 'We're going to protect the square, but also, we're going to protect the straight (boundaries). We're going to ask him to do different things now.' While the whole world critiqued South Africa's journey to the final at Lord's for not facing Australia and England in the cycle, Petersen believes that the Proteas deserve all the credit. However, the former Test opener warned that the Australian bowling attack will be a lot more difficult to contend with. 'We have to give them credit... they've played off the back foot. They came back and won games. Those are important things. You can take that confidence into the World Test Championship final,' said Petersen. 'However, Australia will be a different kettle of fish. Australia play differently. They might not give you a lot of opportunities like other teams would. 'But that's the reality, that South Africa have won those games. 'Whether you play against minor teams or teams that people think are minor, it's still Test cricket, and they've won those games. 'So, I think they can use that confidence and take it into the World Test Championship final. But it's not going to be easy.'
The South African
5 hours ago
- The South African
'Crying!': Pollards pack up, ready to return home
It's the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for Marise and Handre Pollard as they pack up their life in the UK, where the rugby star has played for Leicester Tigers for the past three years. The Springbok fly-half will return to South Africa, where he will return to his home club of the Bulls, next month. On her Instagram account, Marise Pollard – who is pregnant with her second child – revealed that she had attended her final Leicester Tigers game. 'My heart is heavy. Leicester Tigers is such a special club, and it's been a massive privilege to be part of this family. Grateful is an understatement.' In an Instagram Story, the rugby WAG revealed that she had been 'crying' over the big move' In another post, Marise – a qualified teacher – appeared more upbeat. 'All packed and ready to move!' she captioned a happy snap. It's not goodbye just yet for Leicester Tigers as Handre Pollard is expected to play in their Gallagher Premiership semi-final match against Sale Sharks on Saturday, 7 June. Handre will rejoin his old club of the Bulls on 1 July. In 2022, Handre signed a R14 million-a-year contract with the English club Leicester Tigers. This secured his spot as one of SA's highest-paid rugby players. But will he take a pay cut or earn the same at the Bulls? According to Planet Rugby, the veteran player is likely to earn 'two or three times more' than the average Springbok [around R7million a year]. He is expected to receive the same salary bracket as his club abroad and in the league of big-name Boks like Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe, and Siya Kolisi. Handre's earnings will not come from the club but from the Player of National Interest (PONI) contracts that SA Rugby pays. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
10 hours ago
- IOL News
South African sprinters excel at Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi as Nene leads charge
The in-form Zakithi Nene (centre) became only the second South Afrioca runner to dip below 44 seconds in the 400m, after world record holder Wayde van Niekerk, at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi. Image: BackpagePix With all the attention focused of Zakithi Nene's blistering world lead of 43.76 to take gold in the 400m at at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi on Saturday, there were also podium finishes for Bayanda Walaza in the 100m and Shaun Maswanganyi in the men's 200m contest. The achievements marked another stellar weekend for South African sprinters. Nene was the best of the SA athletes on the international track and field circuit this weekend. He became the second SA athlete to run under 44 seconds over the one-lap distance after world record holder Wayde van Niekerk. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Nene finished well clear of Nigerian athlete Chidi Okezie, who took second place in 44.98. All eyes will be on the one-lap star as he heads for the Rome Diamond League meeting, to see if he can repeat the feat. Junior record holder Walaza also impressed in the men's 100m race in Nairobi, though he had to settle for the runner-up spot. He got off to a good start but the athletes were called back by the starter, and though there were no disqualifications for a false start, they were made to go again and this time Walaza looked a little hesitant out of the blocks the second time. Bayanda Walaza, South Africa's teenage sprint sensation, took silver in the 100m at the Kip Keino Classic at the weekend. Image: BackpagePix
