African Motorsport (Infrastucture, teams and drivers)

[Ludovic P]

Hello,
I just wanted to start the discussion about the development of motorsports in Africa. I am a team owner and manager. My team has been operating for a few years now with few drivers from Kenya and South Africa. Motorsport have a lots of aficionado in Africa even though there are yet to be great tournaments.

Some governments are looking into developing the infrastructure for tourism purpose and drive home some currency. Some countries including South Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria and Mauritius could be great location for future motorsport events.

Paris - Dakar / Eco race and so forth are still mostly dominated by drivers from Europe and Asia but there are homegrown talents that are operating in few circuits including Le Mans, Monaco Historique and so forth who are getting notice. Now, the challenges lies in more training, coaching and support.

I want to hear your honest ideas (without preconceptions) on this and how to grow the industry on the continent.

Ludo

Edited by Ludovic P on Tuesday 17th March 09:19

Edited by Ludovic P on Tuesday 17th March 10:02

[Ludovic P]

@eric
Hey Eric,
thanks for your inquiry. According to google, here are the list of existing circuits

Historic circuits
Agadir Circuit
Ain-Diab Circuit, Ain-Diab
Anfa Circuit
Casablanca Street Circuit

Street circuit
Marrakech Street Circuit, Marrakech

In Namibia
Permanent circuits
Windhoek, Khomas

In Senegal
Permanent circuits
Circuit de Dakar Baobabs, Sindia

In South Africa
Street tracks
Durban street circuit

Permanent tracks
Killarney Motor Racing Complex (WPMC), Cape Town
Kyalami, Gauteng
Phakisa, Welkom, Free State
Prince George Circuit, East London
Aldo Scribante Circuit, Port Elizabeth
Zwartkops Raceway, Zwartkop, Gauteng
Red Star Raceway, Mpumalanga
Midvaal Raceway, Gauteng—Previously Race Rite Raceway
Dezzi Raceway, KwaZulu-Natal
The rock raceway Brakpan

Drag strips
Tarlton International Raceway, Krugersdorp

Kart tracks
Celso Scribante Kart Track, Port Elizabeth
KZN Kart Club, Camperdown, KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal
Action Kart Circuit - Vereeniging Kart Circuit, Vereeniging, Gauteng
Killarney kart circuit, Cape Town
Zwartkops kart circuit, Zwartkop, Pretoria

As far as additional competition
Red Bull Cape Town Circuit in June


I hope this answers your question.
let me know

[Ludovic P]

Hey LucyP

Thanks for your insight with your stats.
Poverty and crime are global phenomenon, now, people still do business because they see opportunities and growth potential otherwise, nothing is done. The narrative one applies to one country varies depending on the person's standpoint, personal experience and so forth.

As far as racing circuits, there are already some on the continent, motorsport has aficionados like anywhere else.

[Ludovic P]

Lucy maybe you talk about the topic and Mauritius without knowing what it's happen now. In Mauritius there is a strong community of car enthusiasts that are looking for a location to practice. Secondly yes it will attract tourist and drivers as international series already shown their interest such as Formula E.
Mauritius is a safe country and the local infrastructure project are eco-friendly in their planning. Thank you for sharing your vision.

Edited by Ludovic P on Tuesday 17th March 15:47

[Ludovic P]

Hello Lucy,
We know that Motorsport as in every other country in the world is an exclusive sport. Not many attend the Grand Prix wherever they are hosted however, there was a spike in participation of people of African descent in buying tickets when Lewis Hamilton became who he is today. and the trends continues.

They were already existing circuits and and leagues here and there. Lewis Hamilton e has inspired many across the African continent/people of African descent to become pilots, mechanics and overall generated a greater level of interest in the sport.

Now, as far as Africa, there are 54 countries many of which have been striving fairly well for the past decade in terms of economic growth, see IMF data.

the African consumer market is about over 300 million people with disposable income they spent on many things including travel, leisure, sports and you name it. Yes, there is poverty, but there are also industries, upper middle classes, middle classes and everything in between and beyond just like in any other continent.

Motorsport is indeed an exclusive sport, it is not meant for everybody, this applies as well in an African context. I think what is interesting to look at here, is how this specific sport can create an industry that could become sustainable in the long run (job creation, career, revenues). It is also a matter of learning from what exists and adapt it to local settings (this for pricing, sponsorship, type of championship, training...). And also, it is interesting to check the people who are currently working to make this happen on the ground.
BR

[Ludovic P]

Hey Lucy P,

Thanks for your feedback. Again, I will say, differing worldviews and personal experiences shape one's understanding of the matter. That's all.

With that said, we are talking motorsport enthusiasm/prospects in Africa. Now if people have the interest, necessary investments and drive to make it happen/continue making it happen, we are here for it.

[Ludovic P]

Hey Colin/Nampach,
Thanks for your feedback and response.
What are your thoughts about coaching and training drivers/pilots and technical staff? There are several initiatives going on, we just need to know how to do it in a way that not only enhance skills but also helps the global visibility of future/currently trained pilots.
Types of partnerships or other forms of collaboration that could work out.
Thanks again

Edited by Ludovic P on Tuesday 17th March 20:36

[Ludovic P]

Hey Lucy P,

For reference and in alignment with your attention for details, the Year of the Return celebrations in 2019 were meant for the entire African diaspora not exclusively for African Americans. It was meant to reminisce what started 400 years ago in 1619.

You may be aware that there are over 200 millions + afro-descendent across The Americas (from the North to the South and including the Caribbeans).

End of December the date for both Afrochella and the Full Circle festival initiated by a mix of Ghanaian American celebrities including Boris Kodjoe and Bozoma St John done in collaboration with Essence Festival (as of recent) and the Ghanaian government.

That said, why does it matter with Motorsports event? All the ingredients are met.

Lastly, a discussion on sports without the condescension is always better appreciated.

[Ludovic P]

Hey Eric M

Here are some of the current championships

- African rally championship
- Africa Eco Race (ivory coast/ kenya / uganda / rwanda / tanzania / zambia / south africa / madagascar
- South African Endurance series (prototypes and GT )
- South Africa Karting ( Rok Cup / Rotax Cup )
- Volkswagen Oettinger Polo Cup SA
- Formula M South Africa
- Formula Ford 1600 SA
- Mauritius National Rallye
- Mauritian Slalom Championship
- Redbull Car Park Drift Mauritius
These are some examples for all Motorsports but this is not an exhaustive list.