OUR KIND OF FESTIVAL

One of the many positive attributes about being a car enthusiast is the excitement of planning a bustling annual calendar, filled with scheduled track days, Concourse events and motoring festivals. ‘Barren’ is the word that comes to mind when describing the 2020 season, after the postponement or outright cancellation of large sanctioned events as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The restriction of movement and limitation of events and gatherings is not something we could have ever prepared for. While the confirmed postponement of the famed Festival of Motoring was reported as early as May this year, we decided to look back at the premier motoring event in South Africa from exactly a year ago, while reminiscing over our experiences as guests to the FCA marque.

Inspiration is what propels us forward. It is the additional ingredient that separates mediocrity from greatness, not only in a creative sense but seemingly in everything we do. Being exposed to countless automotive events on and off the local calendar, there are truly few that can leave such a resounding sense of awe and inspiration as that invoked by the Festival of Motoring. While the annual local motoring calendar is constantly engaged with an array of different events, this is unlike any other that has come before it. As a result, it has rightfully earned the status of the largest automotive event on the African continent. Considering its inception only came about in 2016, the monumental achievement of its exponential growth and popularity in a mere four year period is worth noting, placing South Africa as a hopeful for international motorsport once again. Although the festival itself is still in its infancy, no other location would have been more fitting to host an event of this caliber than the historic Kyalami track complex, once home to the South African Grand Prix and the dominance of the 3 litre GTV6 production racers. While there may have only been a limited number of hero cars and historic legends in comparison to other globally renowned motoring festivals, all participating manufacturers, racing teams and privateers endeavored to vie for as much influence towards the general public as their competitors. The expected results were elaborate displays of vehicles and a brimmed four-day schedule that provided unrivaled entertainment, both on and off the race track. It was a true encapsulation of the phrase automotive festival - at least in our understanding of the definition.

The first day of attendance hastily drew myself and my colleague through the well-kept paddock, tightly studded with automotive brands and marques, all ready for the large crowds and the general public. At the very end of the long procession of branded pit-garages were those of FCA, displaying their full range of scintillating press cars. We immediately felt at home among the company of some expert drivers standing aside the high performance models. After a few minutes of discussion about the drivers' experiences thus far, we finally heard the words we had been so eagerly awaiting; “Shall we go for a lap?”, said in an unmistakable South African accent. With the entire range patiently awaiting their turn on track, our obvious first choice was the Giulia Quadrifoglio. Adorned in Rosso Competizione with elaborate Alfa Romeo Racing liveries plastered around the car, we were ever eager to see the King of the Ring strut its stuff for 4.5km on Africa's most reputable circuit. While hastily loading our camera bags and equipment into the footwells of the seats, it was recommended that we board with only the essential equipment for the duration of the ride ahead. Eventually, with just a camera in hand we jumped back into the car, fastened the seatbelts and got comfortable in the body hugging alcantara and leather seats. So began our slow drive to the pitlane exit, the driver reaching to the center console and initiating the race mode setting while fiddling with driver aids on the infotainment display. This was a sign of things to come for the next few exhilarating minutes. 

The pitlane exit was illuminated by a solid green light while a marshal on the pitwall signaled us through. The accelerator was immediately depressed, and the left hand shifter paddles tactfully engaged. The ZF gearbox instantaneously downshifted, twice, bringing alive the Ferrari-derived, twin-turbocharged V6 to the aural sensation of its upper rev-range. The acceleration was brutal... unexpected from a four-door sedan that still had all of the creature comforts of a luxury land barge. A sprint to the first corner pushed us into our seats. The in-car G-forces prompted us to grab onto any fixed fascia with one hand to counterbalance the seemingly heavy weight of the camera in the other. The first corner approached rapidly. A tense panic pushed my feet onto the footwell long before the car began decelerating under the command of the driver. This continued for the remaining 15 corners of the famed anti-clockwise race track, while passing the slower moving vehicles that seemed to be standing still. The rehearsed racing line and premeditated braking zones were fixed within the drivers repertoire for the weekend. The machine beneath us was just as equally ‘in its element’, making use of all of the technological and mechanical advantages it had been provided with - much like the 3 litre GTV6 on the same tarmac in the generations prior. Our eventual return into the pitlane and reunification with stationery ground beneath us warranted a sigh of relief and relaxation of the tensed muscles. Many petrolheads may not feel entirely comfortable being a passenger in a car that is constantly being pushed to the edge of its limit, myself included. However, a skillful driver expertly controlling the car around the historic racetrack does justice to all of the masterful passion and ingenuity put into this arresting family sedan. Be that as it may, which petrolhead wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to get behind the wheel and attempt to tame one of these 500 horsepower sedans!

We were fortunate enough to experience the Stelvio Quadrifoglio Verde, the 595 Abarth and the colossus Jeep Trackhawk around the circuit throughout the weekends duration too, coming to grips with the full might of the FCA marque. However the festival was not only focused around ferrying electrified passengers for a lap of the circuit. A set of 4x4 obstacle courses were also established in the north west quadrant of the compound for overland enthusiasts, while advanced driver displays could be found on the inside area of the racetrack - with masterful drivers demonstrating millimetre precision to the thousands of intrigued onlookers. These too were constantly abuzz with parades of automotive finesse and acrobatics throughout the weekend. The world class raceway certainly did not lie dormant.

The event hosted a variety of different sanctioned races including the earthshaking Mobil 1 V8 Muscle series, GT3 Spec Races and some Historic Trophy action. The sky above the locale was not vacant either. Aerobatic displays were routinely exhibited throughout the weekend by a squadron of expert pilots, who seemingly wanted to be closer to the tarmac than some of the spectators. It was truly bustling from start to finish, leaving a sense of satisfaction and awe with those on the ground. 

Contradicting feelings of overwhelming gloom and prodigious gratification arrived in the closing minutes of the final day. Spectators vacated the public areas, branded insignia was packed into cargo trucks and the cars that populated the pit garages were driven through the paddock one final time. In a matter of hours the previously-lively compound slowly underwent a transformation to its original, yet desolate form.

A hindsight review of thousands of photos and hours worth of recorded footage begin to create a sense of the sheer scale of the event. Absorbing and reflecting on the abundance of sights and sounds from four eventful days of gasoline-inspired goodness enables the recollection of the thrills, smiles and delight experienced by so many, both old and young. These events are crucial in inspiring and motivating current and future petrolheads alike. As we reminisce over this weekend, with a blank calendar marking the one year anniversary from the 2019 edition, we can only long to have taken greater joy in savouring each moment somewhat more.

Photo Gallery and Video by Ivano Mattiello and Alex Shahini of Slipstream Visuals