October 25, 2022: The largest motorsport event in Africa – the MF Autobody 24 Hours of iLamuna – is set to make history this weekend with an all-female team and the youngest known driver to compete in a 24-hour Main Circuit race.
Open only to ‘Lemons’ costing less than R55k, the gruelling endurance event will see a full field of 74 clunkers battle side-by-side on circuit for 24 hours, nonstop, this Saturday and Sunday at Redstar Raceway near Delmas. The grid will comprise a huge variety of rust buckets ranging from decommissioned tow trucks, to disgusting Datsuns, to tetanus-fillied Totoyas and everything in between.
Crews of up four drivers, with team names such as Boetfighters, Nucking Futs, Sax & Violins and fan-favourite Princess Asstina the Fifth, will begin the race with a run across the track to their cars in a classic Le Mans-style start at 12.15pm this Saturday, and cross the finish line bruised and battered at the same time on Sunday.
Among these teams is the first ever all-female 24-hour endurance team in Africa. BeauAnn Hegyi, Jo-Anne Gibbon, Lea-Anne Massey-Hicks and Natalie Weston will tackle the exhausting iLamuna race in an old Mercedes SLK. The stereotype-smashing Pink Arrows ladies team has entered with hopes of inspiring other women to challenge themselves.
Team captain Beauann says: “Yes, racing is traditionally a male-dominated sport but the four of us want to prove to ourselves, and hopefully other women, that we can do the things we sometimes think we can’t. I hope our iLamuna entry encourages more women to not let stereotypes define them and to enter motorsport. A 24-hour race is certainly a daunting experience, but we’re excited for the challenge!”
Another notable driver, Nikki Vostanis, will become the youngest-known driver to contest a 24-hour Main Circuit race at just 15 years old. Nikki’s track experience began with karting in 2021 and since then he has scored podium placings in the Toyota Academy’s inaugural Yaris Cup, as well as a top-five finish in his Polo Supercup debut. The youngster forms part of the Asiento Rapido team which will hope to carry Nikki’s racing momentum forward this weekend in their Seat Leon.
Billed as “the most glorious and irresponsible thing drivers will do all year, the third annual MF Autobody 24 Hours of iLamuna is proudly supported by Dunlop tyres, Havoline oils and Insurisk wealth management. Race fans can follow the action onFacebookor Instagram.
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