Stefan laps up race victories

Nelspartan oval track racer Stefan Vosloo, is a young man who becomes slightly emotional when he relates his road to success in racing. He was introduced to the sport in 1999. He was still a primary school kannetjie when his mom took him to watch oval track racing in Nelspruit and he recalls his admiration for some of the older drivers of the time like Barries and Chris.

Stefan grew up in Kriel and moved to Nelspruit in 1999. “My dad, a miner and who died when I was five, was forever tinkering with Pontiacs and Firebirds – big cars with big engines.

“Times were tough and money tight – my room was plastered with pictures of cars – at the races, I was always running up and down behind the fence – I just could not get enough of it. Having completed school, I started working at Autocraft Panel beaters where uncle Jasper Lennon became like a stepfather to me,” says Stefan. “I became the workshop foreman at Autocraft within five years.”

“At the time I owned a Ford Laser and most of my money was used to kit this car with all the bells and whistles. I also bought my first oval car – a Mazda 323 in 2007. And, not having a trailer, I drove this car to the track to compete in the Rookies race. I won my first race – it was just absolutely bloody marvellous and I have never, and will never forget the emotional high I experienced at the time. That feeling of accomplishment will never leave me.”

Well with help from a family member and a sponsor, Stefan was enabled to compete in regional and national events. He eventually lost an engine in a national race. I then race with an Escort.

But life happens and Cupido is fearless. “I met my wife, got married and devoted the next five years to build life around the family and focus on developing my career. Then two years ago I again became involved with the oval track fraternity – bought a car and started racing again.

It went well with regular podium finishes but then I bought a stock rod Golf 1600 that raced at Rietkuil. I upgraded it to 1660 race spec (work on the head, carburettor, exhaust and gear ratios and suspension) and since then we are like salt and pepper – everything just keeps going right. And despite my car making fewer kilowatts than most of my competitor friend’s cars, I am the BOSS!”

Stefan found the sweet spot in terms of kilowatts and power that actually reaches the road. There is no need to over-spend and best is – he does all the work himself. The latter being an integral part of accomplishing his goals.

He is ahead on points in the 1660 Class, but then COVID-19 put a spanner in the wheels so things are a tad uncertain for the rest of the year.

But this is but the beginning of what he wants to achieve in motorsport – rallying is quite expensive – oval tracking on tar, perhaps? He has paid lots of school money over the years but never shies away from sharing knowledge with others. “Compliment a competitor when it is due, show respect, don’t be a hooligan but drive hard and clean and your persistence will be rewarded.

Well, eighty six trophies later – no championship title as yet (on the way though) and with growing confidence and skill, tremendous family support – “I will achieve my dreams,” concluded Stefan.