If you love cars, then these are the motoring events you MUST attend at least once in your lifetime!
Being a car guy or car girl means more than just looking at cars as mere appliances or status symbols. Its about enjoying cars, a passion for driving and naturally, attending events where people just like you and I can share our passion for engines, power and everything which makes these four (sometimes three or 6) wheeled machines such a big part of our lives.
With that said, weve lined up some of the most exciting motorsport events that you must attend to be called a certified petrolhead.
The 24 Hour of Le Mans
The 24 hours of Le Mans is the worlds most famous (or infamous) endurance race. Founded in 1923, the race was only meant to take place thrice, but it became so popular it stuck around for the rest of us under 100 years old to enjoy.
The race takes place in France at the Circuit de la Sarthe and has given rise to some of the most legendary battles in racing history, the most popular one, the battle between Ford and Ferrari having been immortalised in the 2019 film, Ford vs Ferrari.
As the name suggests the race runs for 24 hours and pushes drivers mentally and physically, while the reliability of the cars is tested to the limit.
If you wish to attend the 2023 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, then clear your diary for 10-11 June 2023.
The Monaco Grand-Prix
With the glitz, glamour, thrills and spills, the Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most prestigious events on the Formula 1 calendar.
First run in 1929, the race is one of the oldest street circuits in modern Formula 1 and it has become famous not only for the tight, and sometimes dangerous racing that is usually associated with street circuits but also for its famous backdrop, a super yacht-filled marina. The 3.337km track itself also has its fair share of noteworthy landmarks which include the entrance to the Fairmont hairpin and the tunnel where the shrill screams of the high-strung F1 engines echo to the delight of attendees.
Despite Monacos reputation as a playground for the rich and famous, normal people can attend the Grand Prix, so if youre one of those aforementioned normal people and you have savings burning a hole in your pocket, the 2023 edition of the Monaco Grand Prix is taking place on 28 May 2023.
Gatebil
Unlike the 24 Hours of Le Mans or the Monaco Grand Prix, Gatebil is the hooligan of motorsport events, a five-festival series of drifting, time-attack, show cars, FMX, pit girls and general fun and motoring mayhem.
Gatebils biggest drawcard is the level of engineering prowess that goes into the cars that attend the events. If you want to see an 80s Volvo station wagon kitted with an AMG motor in a drift battle with a turbocharged Mazda rotary-powered wide-body kit Toyota 86, then Gatebil is probably where its going to happen.
The massive appeal of Gatebil though is that it gets rid of the snobbery that you will find at most race events, at Gatebil it’s all about fun and loving cars. If that sounds like an event that you want to be a part of, the fourth leg of the Gatebil festival is taking place at Rudskogen race circuit in Norway from 9-11 September and their final event will be taking place from 23-25 September at Mantorp Park in Sweden.
The Knysna Simola Hillclimb
The Knysna Simola Hillclimb forms part of the Knysna Speed Festival, and for those of you who are not familiar with Hillclimb events, it is a timed event where competitors go out one by one to set the fastest time. In the case of the Knysna event, the hill is the 1.9km road leading up to the Simola Hotel, Country Club and Spa.
To give you an idea of the times and speeds, the 2022 winner in the Single Seater and Sports Car Shootout, Andre Bezuidenhout, won his class with a best time of 0:00:34.161 seconds at an average speed of 200.228km/h in a Gould GR55 single seater. Equally impressive was Franco Scribante, who won the Modified Saloon Car Shootout in a HEAVILY modified Nissan R35 GT-R with a best time of 0:00:38.129 seconds at an average speed of 179.391km/h.
If you want to be a part of the Knysna Simola Hillclimb then make sure you have your hotel booked and leave signed for 4-7 May 2023.
Have these four events whet your appetite? Well, make sure you begin planning your trip to all four because you wont regret it.
Looking for a car that could get you to the Knysa Simola Hillclimb (You may need a plane to get to others)? Then make sure you visit the ClickaCar Virtual Showroom.