SA’s spinning queen races drivers from around the world in Netflix’s ‘Hyperdrive’

The premiere of the new Netflix series, Hyperdrive, had South Africans on the edge of their seats this week.

Stacey-Lee May, a well-known spinner from Soweto, is competing on the show in the hope of launching her drifting career internationally and to get driving roles in movies like The Fast and the Furious.

Twelve drivers from around the world complete on a course with five obstacles on the pilot episode. The drivers are then placed in order of times.

The top three contestants automatically advance to the final episode of the show, the bottom three are sent home and the middle six get another opportunity to make the top three in the next episode.

The show tests drifting and driving skills as the course changes in every episode. Some courses test control and others test speed.

The four obstacles that make up the first course are Supernova, Light Box, Walk on Water, Target Zone and Leveler.

The production quality and commentary on the show is like a video game brought to life, and makes the audience feel the adrenaline and emotion.

Stacey-Lee May and Charlize Theron in Hyperdrive. Picture: Netflix

In the first episode, executive producer and fellow South African Charlize Theron travelled to Stacey’s home in Eldorado Park.

Emotions ran high as the 23-year-old law student’s family met Charlize, who commended Stacey’s parents for giving up so much to support their daughter’s dream.

Lester May, Stacey’s father and her spotter on the show, sold his tow-truck so the “Queen of Smoke” could travel to the US to compete in the show.

Watch Hyperdrive on Netflix to see how Stacey-Lee May fares against some of the world’s best drivers.

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