Vale mixes it with motorsport greats

The extraordinary racing format, which mixes donuts with clipping points and powerslides with apexes, was making its first ever appearance in South Africa.

The tyre smoke-filled vision of racing genius Ken Block, Gymkhana GRiD’s unique competition setup allows small power to take down big brake horsepower (BHP) in all-out automotive combat.

Split into two classes, Gymkhana GRiD gives drivers of all-wheel drive (AWD) and rear-wheel drive (RWD) cars the chance to go head-to-head and against the clock on a custom-designed course.

Driving her Continental SA #86BRZ Subaru, the ‘First Lady of South African motorsport’ was one of 32 drivers who battled it out in the timed RWD category. Victory went to the UK’s Luke Woodham, who beat fellow UK drivers Adam Elder and Danny Cross to take his fourth consecutive Gymkhana GRiD rear-wheel drive title.

“It was a great experience,” said Vale.

“It was quite different to what we are used to here in South Africa.

“We haven’t had many events like that in the country where so many legends of motorsport like Ken Block and Petter Solberg take part.”

Vale added that series like Gymkhana GRiD are the future of motorsport.

“Things have changed a lot in motorsport.

“Instead of standing at the side of a racetrack all day getting covered in dust in the hot sun, you now have this instant entertainment which is brought to the spectator as opposed to the spectator coming to the track.

“Hopefully it will lead to other similar events coming to the country, and perhaps someone will initiate and develop our own local Gymkhana series.

“It is much more affordable than drifting because you burn a lot less tyres,” she added.

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