Aerial acrobatics were not the only attractions at the weekend's Wonderboom air show - the airport's 75th anniversary and a crisp, sunny Highveld winter afternoon were the perfect backdrop for a showdown between Nissan Z Owner's Club chairman Danie Volschenk in his 370Z and… an aeroplane!
Yes Cyril, Volschenk and his pearl white Zee took on a P750 XSTOL light aircraft, known for its manoeuvrability, using the car's rear wheel-drive cornering ability to get ahead of the P750 around the corners of the three lap-race and laying down its 245kW to stay with the speedy aircraft on the straights, reaching speeds of 240lkm/h down Wonderboom's main runway.
But it was neck and neck as the two charged towards the finish line and in the end, air traffic control ruled the odd contest a dead heat, saying it was too close to call.
Volschenk agreed: "That was the most awesome race I've ever been in. I saw that the plane was ahead at one point but it was very, very close at the end."
The Z club drew a lot of attention with 37 cars on parade, from a pristine 1969 240Z, to the latest 370Z coupés and convertibles - and a "fast and furious" Skyline GT-R 33 as a special guest.
Nissan SA product manager for of the Z series, Nancy Reddy, said: "It's great to see the full Z heritage on display, and as a company we're thrilled to be part of the club's ventures."
The Z Owner's Club's member are not only passionate about their cars, but also about improving the lives of those less fortunate.
In 2010 they held a charity event in aid of the destitute elderly at Frederick Place in Coronationville and Volschenk says the Z club will return later this year.
"We saw then that there were many basic things these elderly people lacked," he commented. "Now we need to improve these people's lives in a sustainable way, so they can enjoy the little comforts we take for granted and they so deserve."