Any naysayers and armchair critics out there who like to criticise the state of South Africa motorsport, on both two and four wheels, would have done well to attend the prestigious Motorsport South Africa (MSA) Awards evening held at Emperors Palace on Sunday, 1st December.
If ever an indication was needed of the rude health of motorsport in South Africa and the success of South African drivers, riders, and manufacturers internationally, then this was it.
No one has ever said it has been easy but the awards evening was a tribute to the resilience, dedication, and passion of South Africa’s motorsport athletes, teams, and contributors.
“This evening is a celebration of the determination and drive that define our motorsport community. It brings together the veterans, newcomers, and icons who have consistently thrilled their fans throughout 2024,” said Anton Roux, Chairman of Motorsport South Africa.
“The people in this room tonight are the ones who make motorsport happen in South Africa,’ he added. “We are recognising the achievements of 55 of you—congratulations to each one. At the same time, we must acknowledge the role of parents, spouses, grandparents, coaches, technicians, and friends who supported you on your journey here. We also extend our gratitude to sponsors, including Toyota’s Glen Crompton, VW’s Mike Rowe, and KTM’s Franziska Lucka, for their invaluable contributions. It is our duty to ensure that sponsors receive excellent value for their support.”
Roux highlighted MSA’s excellent year, with 315 events held, including impressive international performances by competitors across disciplines, including two-wheels, single-seaters, rallying, and the GT series.
He noted, “It’s not just on the track where we’ve excelled. Our outgoing CEO, Adrian Scholtz, is currently serving as a steward at the inaugural FIM Intercontinental Games in Jerez, Spain. This recognition speaks to the quality of South African motorsport. Additionally, our CEO, Vic Maharaj, now serves on the FIA World Motor Sport Council, and I continue my term as a member of the FIA Senate.”
Roux also reminded the audience that the third round of the W2RC World Championship will take place near Sun City in 2025, following the Dakar Rally and Abu Dhabi events. “I cannot wait to see the likes of Nasser Al-Attiyah, Sébastien Loeb, and Stéphane Peterhansel competing on South African soil. Considering that half the cars in the Dakar are manufactured here, this event promises to be monumental.” That last point in itself is more than enough to dispel any lingering thoughts that SA is underperforming in global motorsport.
In addition to the 65 national champions being honoured across categories such as motocross, enduro, cross-country, rally, karting, rally-raid, single-seaters, and saloon cars, 30 Protea Colours were also awarded to individuals who represented South Africa on international stages, showcasing world-class talent.
The awards ceremony also shone a spotlight on those who go above and beyond the call of duty. The MSA Special Awards recognised the contributions of individuals who help sustain and grow motorsport in South Africa, including Volunteer of the Year, awarded to Chairman of the Off-Road Marshal Unit of Southern Africa, Chris Kruger, and Photographer of the Year, awarded to independent, Andre Schoeman.
MSA’s highest form of recognition, the Golden Helmet Award, is bestowed upon individuals for exceptional achievements in, or contributions to, motorsport over several decades. “We are so proud that there were five worthy recipients of this award in 2024. In addition, five members of the South African motorsport community received MSA Special Awards for outstanding feats on the international stage or in recognition of their significant contribution to the sport,” continued Roux.
Four recipients were honoured this year in the MSA Pioneer Award, aimed at honouring competitors of colour who in the past paved the way for future generations in local motorsport, often in difficult and challenging circumstances.
The prestigious Pioneer, Special and Golden Helmet Awards honoured trailblazers and legends of the sport. Among this year’s honourees were Lukas David Hipondoka, Lance Isaacs, Mustapha Innes Murudker and Minota Ann van Bergen (Pioneer Awards), Abduraghman Amlay, Bradley Cox, Vere Hein, Taylor Hill and Johann Spies (Special Awards) and David Bland, Wayne Farmer, Jess Huggett, Derek Jacobs and Jeff Waberski (Golden Helmet Awards.)
“These specific awards highlight the incredible impact that individuals have made in shaping motorsport in South Africa, both past and present,” added Roux.
Recognising and acknowledging the generational gap and the role women are increasingly playing in motorsport, Roux paid special mention to the achievements of Minota Ann Van Bergen, who made history as a pioneer in South African motorsport, becoming the first woman to win a national rally championship in the country. To date, Minota is the only South African woman to have won both a national and international rally title outright, and she remains the sole woman to have received Springbok colours in rallying. Her achievements have paved the way for women in motorsport, proving that women can succeed in a male-dominated field on equal terms as evidenced by Taylor Hill, a 16-year-old young lady who exemplifies unwavering determination in her pursuit of becoming a professional motorsport driver. Born with a genetic condition, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder (CMT), a degenerative hereditary nerve disease, Taylor has followed her love for karting and overcome challenges posed by her disability. Despite using a wheelchair and lacking feeling in her legs, she remains undeterred.
“Embracing the FIA’s commitment to inclusivity, Motorsport South Africa has been inspired by the journeys of both these women,” acknowledged Roux.
“Motorsport is not just about competition; it’s about community, growth, and resilience,” said Roux. “We are proud to celebrate the achievements of 2024 and look forward to an even brighter 2025.
“To all award recipients, congratulations. Remember, you are role models and your every move will be watched by fellow competitors. In today’s digital age remember your social media posts are like a fingerprint or your DNA. What you post is there forever. One of the very first things that any promoter, sponsor or team manager will look at before they select you, is “your fingerprint”. So post responsibly and wear your blazers with pride,” Roux concluded.
The evening was a great success, the food and venue excellent and the company varied and distinguished. Most of all, however, the evening was confirmation, were any needed, that motorsport in SA is thriving and that the future looks very bright. All we can do is look forward to 2025 with great anticipation.
