When it comes to all out motortainment and its theatrics and one considers global trendsetters and big name brands, then Ken Block, should be at the top of the tyre slaying list. Gymkhana GRiD, the brainchild-racing event of Ken Block will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat; it’s a AWD (All Wheel Drive) and a RWD (Rear Wheels Drive) spectacular showcasing driver skill that has never been seen on African shores before.
Now celebrating its sixth year of tyre slaying competition, Gymkhana GRiD is locked and loaded for the 18th and 19th of November, and set to tear tyres apart at the impressive Carnival City, Ekurhuleni.
Haven’t heard of Gymkhana GRiD before? A racing format like no other, that mixes donuts with clipping points, and powerslides with apexes, it’s a real-life playground that parades the sheer speed, fun and exhilarating action of competitive driving and drifting combined. The GRiD demands strategic maneuvering through narrow gaps, around barrels and moreover in circumspect walled off bollard obstacles. Contestants within their horsepower machines have the chance to go head to head, and against the clock, on the custom designed GRiD.
“Gymkhana GRiD has been growing year on year, and to have it expand to an incredible country like South Africa is very exciting; I’m really looking forward to it,“ said Ken Block. “When I was last there for Clarkson, Hammond and May Live in 2016, my team and I had such a warm welcome. South Africans are very passionate about motorsport, and I enjoyed my time down there a lot. We have some big plans in place for the GRiD track this year – it’s going to bigger and better than ever before!” Gymkhana GRiD attracts international drivers from all over Europe and grabs its attentions from the many travelling and global press too. “We, as XS Promotions, are super stoked to be able to promote this event in South Africa and attract the worlds attention to our incredible country, our amazingly beautiful city, like Ekurhuleni, and moreover its people and fans!” states Mikey Skelton, co-owner.
XS Promotions at the same time launches AutoCircus powered by AutoTrader. This auto-exhibition, village and festival will add to the overall hype of the event. “The idea is to give the local aftermarket and industry the opportunity to move in alongside an international iconic brand like Gymkhana GRiD and parade its auto-masterpieces, products and merchandise, all with a Circus theme in mind; it fits with the venue and certainly with the racing”, says Jim McFarlane, organiser of the AutoCircus powered by AutoTrader. “The exhibition and festival will make the event a day out for the entire family. We’re looking forward to putting on a good show!” said AutoTrader CEO George Mienie.
The Gymkhana GRiD event will be run under the auspices of Motorsport South Africa (MSA) and the event will afford members of the local spinning community the opportunity to take part. MSA’s CEO, Adrian Scholtz, commented, “The Gymkhana GRiD event offers a unique opportunity for local Spinners to showcase their talents in front of the visiting global media and fraternity. It should also add great impetus to MSA’s ongoing efforts to formalize the homegrown South African initiative of Spinning as a mainstream form of South African motorsport”.
“The event is forging forward with much anticipation and the expectancy from fans alike is overwhelming as seen by their reactions and commentary on social media. The first wave of tickets is almost sold out, so we, alongside that sentiment and emotion are positive for a sell out crowd!”, says Ryan Franklin, Monster Energy South Africa Communications Manager Gymkhana GRiD is the only professionally organized and promoted automotive racing series dedicated to the motorsport of Gymkhana.
Gymkhana GRiD was the first ever stadium-style spectator gymkhana and racing event in North America and now has deployed into Europe and Africa. Gymkhana GRiD events will give pro drivers and grass roots racers a place to test their ability in a two car battle with grip and drift characteristics on a closed course in front of thousands of fans.
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