A Nascar-style oval-track racing series is to be introduced in South Africa next year.
The driving forces behind the new Nascar series are Phakisa Raceway boss Bobby Hartslief, WesBank racer Peter Lindenberg and Formula One powerboat promoter Jan Johnson. The series will initially be based at the 2,5km Phakisa Raceway oval track in the Free State, currently the only track in South Africa specifically designed for the high-speed Nascar racers.
Plans are afoot, however, for the series to incorporate rounds at several existing road circuits, while a number of promoters are investigating the construction of oval tracks suitable for the series.
The new series will be based on the North American Nascar concept, which features tough space-frame chassis enveloped by fibreglass bodies (styled after current American production cars) and powered by massively powerful Chevrolet or Ford V8 engines.
The South African version, however, will have a distinctly local flavour, with 30 chassis presently being laid down by Jimmy Price's High-Tech Auto company in Port Elizabeth.
The local cars will be available with a choice of Chev or Ford bodies but a decision has yet to be made as to whether they will be Ford or Chevy-powered. Tyres will be provided by Goodyear.
According to Lindenberg, power output will be in the region of 460bhp and a complete car is expected to cost in the region of R290 000.