Speed Classic Cape Town is back: reviving a century-old motorsport tradition
A younger model posing next to an older model for the Classic Cape Town speed race happening next month
Image: Armand Hough
Cape Town is putting the pedal to the metal once again. The Speed Classic Cape Town, returning this October, revives a motorsport tradition that first roared to life along the city’s hills over a century ago.
Backed by Motorsport South Africa and the City of Cape Town, the event pays homage to the Mother City’s rich racing heritage, dating back to the first Cape hill climbs in 1912. Philip Kgosana Drive once hosted adrenaline-fueled races that became the highlight of the local sporting calendar.
The sport may have laid dormant for years, but now it’s back reconnecting a new generation to the thrill, precision, and glamour of hill climb racing.
Co-founder Garth Mackintosh said: “With just over six weeks to go, the excitement is palpable as we prepare to stage a truly unique race. We have received tremendous support from the City of Cape Town thus far and look forward to bringing another world-class event to the Mother City.”
Motorsport returns to the heart of Cape Town this October as the Speed Classic Cape Town takes over Philip Kgosana Drive
Image: Armand Hough
The two-day spectacle, running between 25–26 October, blends motoring heritage with modern speed.
Classic Car Saturday will showcase 70 rare vehicles, including a 1980 Ferrari 308 GTB, one of only five in South Africa, and the sole 1930 Bentley 4.5L Le Mans in the country.
Sunday shifts gears to the King of the Mountain showdown, where supercars and speed machines battle for supremacy. Expect a Ferrari SF90 Stradale that rockets 0–100 km/h in 2.5 seconds, the mighty Lamborghini Aventador, and the 1,500-horsepower Nissan GTR35 “The Sheriff,” piloted by local and international champions.
The driver line-up adds further excitement. South African racer Franco Scribante will pilot a South African six hours winning 1970 Chevron B19, a rare prototype with only around 30 ever built. Franco will be joined by Silvio Scribante who will be behind the wheel of 1970s Ford Capri Perana.
International entries include Swiss drivers Serge Endress in a 1965 Lola T70 Spyder, one of less than 50 worldwide, and Matthias Annefield in a 1971 Ford Capri Perana.
The last Camps Bay hillclimb was reportedly held in 1962.
Image: Armand Hough
The Ford Capri Perana is a rare factory supported muscle car unique to South Africa, born from Basil Green's genius engineering in collaboration with Ford. While 500 were originally made, only around 100 cars still exist.
The former F1 driver, 24-time 24 Hour Le Mans competitor, and winner of the 1988 race, the legendary Dutch race driver Jan Lammers, will also travel to Cape Town to race on Saturday.
Collectors and enthusiasts will see automotive masterpieces brought out of private garages and onto the tarmac.
“Classic cars are like art, and you just cannot replica them,” said Speed Classic Cape Town Race Director Enzo Kuun. “What makes the Speed Classic Cape Town so special is that on Classic Car Saturday we are brining these cars out of the collections and onto the track, and are inviting car collectors to showcase their cars.”
Safety remains paramount, with Motorsport South Africa-approved courses, Formula E-grade barriers, and experienced disaster management teams. The event also features a race village, grandstands, live feeds, kid-friendly zones, and food stalls, making it a full-day experience for all.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said: “We are proud to support the Speed Classic Cape Town. This race has the potential to grow into a mainstay event and showcase our city globally.”