Red Bull Showrun thrills Sandton, ignites F1 hopes for South Africa

On Sunday, 6 October 2024, the streets of Sandton rang out with the roar of V8 engines and screeching tyres as 25 000 people were entertained by various Red Bull athletes and their friends.

Before taking to the streets, Aras Gibieza (Red Bull KTM Factory stunt rider, David Coulthard (former Formula One driver with Red Bull), Elias Hountondji (part of Red Bull Drift Brothers), and Samkeliso “Samsam” Thubane (the world’s first Red Bull spinning athlete), shared the importance of events like the Red Bull Showrun, not just for F1 fans, but all motorsport enthusiasts.

Elias and Samsam chatted about the difference between spinning and drifting. Spinning is an extreme art form, with a co-driver, no helmets, and the safety is maintained by the brilliant mind of the driver knowing their limit. On the other hand, drifters wear fire suits, helmets, and are strapped into a safety harness. Their creativity lies within pushing the limits of the track.

Samsam explained that spinning started in the 90s and the recognition of the sport is doing a lot to destigmatise it from being a gangster sport to a world-class discipline. The Kwa Magesh Sports Academy is where people who want to spin can go for training. However, there’s a need for a bigger academy to allow greater access and provide cars for training.

The question on everyone’s lips, of course, was when is F1 coming back to South Africa? David Coulthard, who had the opportunity to drive the RB7 on the Kyalami track in the days leading up to the Red Bull Showrun, said the track has all the element drivers like, including elevation change and high-speed corners.

While DC didn’t know what would be required to elevate Kyalami from an FIA Grade Two to a Grade One, he speculated that it might be related to run-off areas and that none of the challenges are insurmountable.

As a personal aside – considering the success of the Formula E street race in Cape Town in 2023, I do think a Mother City street track will be extremely popular, and with a greater diversity in tourist attractions, it might not be a bad idea to offer that as an F1 option.

Mayor of Johannesburg, Dada Morero, said that if it comes to a bidding war between the two cities to host a Formula One race, the Minister or Sport Gayton McKenzie will be positioned to facilitate the best outcome.

Both Samsam and DC mentioned increasing interest and participation by women in spinning and open-wheel racing like Formula One.

“We all know from research there’s no physical or mental reason women can’t compete at that [F1] level. There just hasn’t been the numbers. Historically, there’s been thousands of young boys going into carting and just a handful of young girls, but that is changing.”

And as promised, there were several female drivers on track during the event, including Kayla Stacey spinning, and Clare Vale in a customised Mustang competing for the fastest lap in a custom car.

When the (rubber) dust settled on Katherine street, and the V8s echo in our memories, I’m sure more South Africans will be encouraged to ask the questions and push for answers to get Formula One back and revel in the thrill and competition of Red Bull Racing facing off against the other teams. And of course, by bringing events like the Red Bull Showrun to our cities, there’s already an extensive, and dedicated RBR fanbase here.

Red Bull Showrun – the rundown

Coulthard, a former Red Bull Racing driver and a 13-time Grand Prix winner, was at the helm of the 2011 championship-winning RB7, captivating the crowd with high-speed runs, burnouts and doughnuts. The sound of the RB7’s engine, which produces 750 horsepower and can reach up to 18 000 RPM, reverberated across Sandton.

“It’s always special to bring Formula 1 to the streets and engage with fans in such an up-close and personal way. Driving the RB7 here in Johannesburg was incredible—the energy from the crowd was electrifying,” said Coulthard after completing his first run. “The enthusiasm for motorsport in South Africa is palpable, and it’s a privilege to be part of that excitement.”

The Oracle Red Bull Racing RB7, one of the most dominant Formula 1 cars in history, clinched 18 out of 19 pole positions and won 12 races during the 2011 season, securing both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. The car’s presence in Johannesburg allowed fans to experience the thrill of Formula 1, offering a taste of the speed and precision that makes the sport so exhilarating.

Local spinners Samkeliso “Sam Sam” Thubane, Vaatjie and Katjia wowed the crowds with their tyre-burning antics and Lithuanian motorbike stunt rider Arūnas ‘Aras’ Gibieža also took to the streets. Known for his gravity-defying tricks and flawless control, Gibieža pulled wheelies, stoppies and burnouts. His and local stunt-riding hero, Brian Capper kept the audience engaged and added to the festival-like atmosphere in between the car runs.

For newly signed Red Bull athlete, Sam Sam, it was a special day. “It was amazing to see the South African motorsports fans come out and enjoy all the different vehicle styles and drivers,” he commented. “Also, for me to be on the same ‘track’ and stage as David Coulthard was amazing. We put on a good show!”

The event wasn’t just about speed and stunts, but also about bringing the community together. Red Bull Showrun Johannesburg successfully created a family-friendly environment, with food and beverage stalls spread across the venue, making it a day of fun for fans of all ages.

The Red Bull Showrun in Johannesburg is part of a global series of events that bring Formula 1 to fans in unique city locations. Over the years, Red Bull has taken the thrill of F1 to cities like Cape Town, Tokyo, and Guadalajara, allowing audiences who may not typically have access to live races a chance to experience the sport’s magic firsthand.