Transforming a major city road into a racetrack in just one week is no easy feat. When that road happens to be one of Cape Town’s main commuter routes, the challenge becomes even greater.
With Speed Classic Cape Town gearing up for its inaugural hillclimb race on 25 and 26 October, preparations are underway to convert Philip Kgosana Drive into a safe and fully equipped racecourse capable of accommodating 150 cars and thousands of spectators over two action-packed days.
Safety remains the top priority for any motorsport event, both for the drivers charging up the hill and for the spectators lining the course. To ensure everyone’s protection, Speed Classic Cape Town has invested heavily in infrastructure that meets the strict safety requirements of Motorsport South Africa (MSA).
More than 3.5 kilometres of barriers will be installed along Philip Kgosana Drive. These barriers were originally manufactured for the 2023 Cape Town E-Prix and meet the safety standards set by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), motorsport’s global governing body.
In addition to the barriers, over 5 kilometres of fencing will be placed along spectator areas to ensure crowd safety. A further 8 kilometres of fencing will surround the broader race venue to protect drivers, spectators, and the general public.
“Motorsport is a high-speed environment, and spectators naturally want to get as close to the action as possible,” says Steyn Momberg, Speed Classic Cape Town Project Director. “The strict MSA and FIA guidelines ensure that we create a safe environment, something that is essential to the long-term longevity of the event.”
Support from the City of Cape Town has been central to the planning and construction of the event’s infrastructure. Several City departments, including the Events Office, Traffic Services, Disaster Management, and Fire Services, as well as the South African Police Service, have all played key roles in ensuring a smooth rollout.
In addition to these safety measures, Speed Classic Cape Town is also working with an independent environmental management agency to ensure the implementation of a Fire Risk Management Plan. The plan was developed in consultation with private entities, SANParks and the City of Cape Town.
The event is also working with independent engineers on site to monitor noise pollution and ensure adherence to the sound and noise mitigation procedures.
Extensive measures have also been taken to engage local residents and stakeholders ahead of the event. “The main impacts on surrounding residents and businesses are traffic, vehicle access, and noise,” says Momberg. “We’ve launched an extensive public engagement plan to address these concerns, and overall, the response from the community has been one of strong support and excitement.”
Traffic Closures
19-22 October between 19:00 to 05:00: Philip Kgosana Drive — Outbound.
23-26 October: Philip Kgosana Drive – Outbound and Inbound.
27 October: Philip Kgosana Drive – Outbound.
28-30 October between 19:00 to 05:00: Philip Kgosana Drive – Outbound.
More information on road closures and diversions can be found here.
