You’ve got to love a motorsport event that pitches drivers from all sorts of disciplines against each other – and that’s exactly what Gymkhana GRiD is. Now in its seventh year of competition, Carnival City in Johannesburg will host the event for the second year in a row. 50 international drivers will be pitted against each other in two different classes – one for all-wheel drive cars, another for two-wheel drive cars.
But what exactly is Gymkhana GRiD?
Well, drivers compete head-to-head on a specially-designed course (which this year will be faster and more technical than the 2017 event) which is designed to test skills in drifting, drag racing, physical driving skill and mental agility. Whoever completes the course fastest progresses through to the next round – simple!
With all sorts of competitors and vehicles taking part, from amateurs in home-grown creations to full-on World Rallycross teams, there’s no shortage of variety. Last year’s winner, World RX champion Johan Kristoffersson, will be back in 2018 to defend his crown. He said of the event:
“It’s going to be a little bit different this year – now I know what to expect, and what to focus on to be quick! Gymkhana GRiD is very different to other events, and it’s a great challenge. I’ve raced in a lot of different categories and styles – rally, rallycross, and circuit racing – and Gymkhana is totally unique, as it’s a mix of so many skills. To see all the different drivers come to race with their own cars – which they have built themselves – is really cool to see too. So I’m definitely excited to be heading back to South Africa. I know that my team mate [Petter Solberg] is looking to reclaim the winning trophy too, and he will be pushing 110% percent, as he always says!”
A unique event which is never short on spectacle, you can keep tabs on the build-up to Gymkhana GRiD through their website and Facebook page.
