South Africa’s leading racing champions meet fans at one of Johannesburg’s biggest motoring events
The engines may have been silent, but the excitement was unmistakable as South Africa’s top racing drivers took centre stage at the Cresta FastFest Motorsport Expo on Saturday, 18 July. The popular motoring event transformed Cresta Shopping Centre into a vibrant celebration of speed, motorsport culture and automotive passion.
Visitors had the rare opportunity to meet some of the country’s most accomplished racing stars, take photographs, record videos and hear first-hand stories from behind the visor.
Motorsport champions headline Cresta FastFest
Leading the day’s appearances were Formula V Champion Chloe Stuart, the first woman in more than 50 years to win the prestigious Formula V title, Silver Cup 2.0 Champion Morgan Stewart of the Pablo Clark Easy Equities Racing Team, and internationally recognised racing champion, coach and mentor Fabienne Lanz.
The trio attracted enthusiastic crowds throughout the day, giving motorsport fans an unforgettable opportunity to engage with drivers usually only seen on race weekends.
Pit Stop Challenge delivers plenty of action
Away from the racetrack, the drivers showcased their competitive spirit in the crowd-favourite Pit Stop Challenge, battling to complete the fastest wheel change before putting their skills to the test in Formula One racing simulators.
The friendly competition quickly became one of the event’s biggest attractions, with spectators cheering on their favourite drivers throughout the afternoon.
Building South Africa’s next generation of racing talent
Speaking at the event, Pontso, Events and Athlete Sponsorships Manager for the Pablo Clark Easy Equities Racing Team, highlighted the importance of developing well-rounded racing professionals.
“Our programme develops complete athletes through driver coaching, sports psychology, data analysis, technical support, sponsorship relations and media training. We look for drivers who perform on the circuit while also presenting themselves professionally to fans, sponsors and the public.”
The event also showcased the wide range of careers that support motorsport, from engineering and technical roles to photography, marketing, media and sponsorship management, inspiring young enthusiasts to explore opportunities beyond the driver’s seat.
Rare motorsport memorabilia on display
The racing stars also explored the impressive AvanteGarde Sports Memorabilia Exhibition, curated by collector Yadre Gouws. The collection features signed memorabilia from global sporting icons including Siya Kolisi, Brad Binder, Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner and Charles Leclerc, celebrating legends across multiple sporting disciplines.
Racing season continues for South Africa’s stars
Chloe Stuart and Morgan Stewart will next compete at the Regional Extreme Festival, racing their BMW E46 330i six-cylinder race cars.
Fabienne Lanz’s busy racing calendar includes the Backdraft Cobra Mozambique event on 25 July, the Inland Historic Race in September, the Backdraft Cobra Sprint at Zwartkops, and the T4 Nations Cup Karting Finals in Spain later this year.
Cresta FastFest continues until 27 July
The Cresta FastFest Motorsport Expo runs until 27 July, with even more attractions planned.
One of the biggest highlights takes place on 25 July, when the highly anticipated Show and Shine Competition will see customised and classic vehicles judged by motoring experts in the race for the coveted FastFest 2026 title.
Admission to the event is free, making it one of Johannesburg’s must-visit automotive experiences this winter.
