October 31 @ 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Pretoria is preparing for a high-octane collision of aviation and motorsport as the G-FORCE Festival – The Wonderboom Airshow takes over Wonderboom Airport on Saturday, 31 October 2026. With freestyle motocross, aerobatic flying, helicopter stunts and aircraft going head-to-head with high-performance race cars, the event promises a full day of action across the skies and the runway.
For motorsport fans, the attraction is more than noise and speed. It’s the opportunity to see different disciplines built around precision, timing and control come together in one arena, with South African aviation and freestyle motocross sharing the spotlight.
One of the festival’s major ground-level attractions will be the Jungle X motocross riders, who are set to launch off ramps and perform freestyle tricks above the crowd.
Freestyle motocross, or FMX, demands more than the courage to leave the ground. Riders must control their motorcycles through take-off, aerial manoeuvres and landing, managing body position, bike movement and timing while working within a tightly defined performance space.
Every jump is a sequence of calculated decisions. The take-off determines the trajectory, the rider’s movement influences the trick, and the landing demands the right combination of balance and control. There is little room for error when a routine unfolds in seconds.
At Wonderboom, the FMX display will bring that technical challenge into an environment usually associated with aircraft and aviation. For fans who follow South African action sports, it is a chance to experience freestyle motocross as part of a broader motorsport and aerial showcase.
The runway will provide another major attraction, with aircraft and high-performance race cars scheduled to go head-to-head in a speed-focused demonstration.
The concept brings two very different performance machines into the same spectacle. Race cars depend on acceleration, traction, braking and the driver’s ability to manage speed along the available surface. Aircraft must generate sufficient lift and operate within the demands of their flight envelope.
The comparison is compelling because outright speed is only one part of the equation. Power delivery, aerodynamics, surface conditions and the precise execution of each run all influence the result.
Above the runway, pilots will also tackle a low-level pylon course, racing around markers in a display designed to showcase accuracy and aircraft control. Flying at low altitude through a defined course requires disciplined manoeuvring, careful energy management and an understanding of how an aircraft responds under pressure.
Together, these displays promise a different perspective on motorsport performance, where the challenge is not simply to go fast but to control speed in a demanding environment.
The flying programme is scheduled for 10:00 to 15:00, featuring South African aerobatic pilots and a varied collection of aircraft.
The advertised line-up includes high-performance aerobatic machines, vintage aircraft and legendary World War II warbirds. Formation flying and daring aerial manoeuvres will add to the spectacle, offering visitors a look at aviation’s evolution from historic aircraft to modern performance machines.
A display helicopter is also expected to perform flips and rolls, adding another dimension to the programme.
Helicopter aerobatics require a different approach from fixed-wing flying. Pilots must manage rotor dynamics, aircraft attitude and changing forces while maintaining control throughout each manoeuvre. The result is a display that highlights the distinctive capabilities of rotary-wing aircraft.
For aviation enthusiasts, the combination of historic aircraft and modern aerobatics offers plenty to explore. For motorsport fans, it creates a festival where the action is not confined to a single track or discipline.
The G-FORCE Festival is designed to attract more than dedicated aviation and motorsport followers. Family entertainment, jumping castles and a beer tent will add to the atmosphere, giving visitors options between the main displays.
The event takes place at Wonderboom Airport on Lintvelt Road, Doornpoort, Pretoria. Gates open at 08:00, allowing visitors to arrive before the scheduled flying programme begins.
The festival brings together several disciplines that share a common demand: precision under pressure. From Jungle X riders taking their motorcycles into the air to pilots navigating aerobatic courses, the day promises a varied showcase of performance and control.
For Pretoria’s action sports community, the G-FORCE Festival offers an opportunity to see freestyle motocross alongside aviation and motorsport in one setting. On 31 October, Wonderboom Airport will become a meeting point for fans who appreciate the machinery, skill and commitment behind high-adrenaline action.
