Bobby Nitro loves it when dedication and perseverance in motorsport eventually pay off.
That’s the case with the latest development in the spin community, as SPIN (Supporting People in Need) have just hosted their first fully legal event at the Hills in Mitchells Plain.
Those of you who follow the sport of spin would know that for years, and from many different angles, spinners have been trying to secure a pitch; a legal, permitted, safe and reliable pitch to let loose on come the weekend.
It has been a long spin to freedom, but last weekend’s incident-free event at The Hills represents a breakthrough. And word on the street is that Bobby Nitro’s consistent coverage of the build-up has had an influence.
WE MADE IT: Aslam Bowers smokes it up at the Hills in Mitchells Plain.Photo: Shahiem Bell
Jonathan ‘2J’ Schaffers of SPIN, a man who has been instrumental in getting this to happen, says: “We have made history in the Western Cape. The Hills is now a fully permitted spin zone for a full year, while we look for another venue, and we will be hosting spin events two Sundays a month plus one Saturday on which we run an academy supporting the participation of women and youth in spin.”
Jonathan has improved safety by placing concrete blocks as barriers, to replace the tyre walls. This kind of safety measure is difficult to get sorted, but once it is in place it makes sure that safety criteria for events are adhered to.
FUN: Tarquin Joostenberg from Ocean View.Photo: Shahiem Bell
Jonathan adds: “After 14 months of regular meetings with the City, putting our cause to the events committee and others, we are seeing some real results. SPIN would like to thank the mayor and every City official involved for making this a reality.”
John Minords, the Clerk of the Course, has been involved in the search for a pitch for 25 years. He says: “I have been battling for legality for so long, and it is important now to look after what the City has put on the table for us. It has been a long run for me, and we certainly can’t have things fall by the wayside due to one or two ill-disciplined individuals.”
As Clerk of the Course, John makes sure order is maintained, and says: “Safety was brilliant. With concrete blocks, a fence 1.5 metres from the blocks, and people at least five metres from cars, that ticked the crowd safety boxes, what with the almost 2 000 people there.
LOVING IT: USN ambassador Firdous Asmodien.Photo: Shahiem Bell
“Vehicles were thoroughly scrutineered. Bonnets were on, nothing open, windshields in, tanks at the back, wheel nuts checked, all loose material off or secured. We were very specific with drivers. And, to their credit, they stuck to the rules.”
Add to this the event medics, standby ambulance and marshalls, and you’ve got a fully legal event.
The day, dare we say, was incredibly successful. The spinners turned out on their best behaviour, the crowds turned out and had a ball. In fact, it has been said in the past by a top Lentegeur cop that on the days that spinning is happening in the area, there seems to be a marked drop in the crime rate.
BEST BEHAVIOUR: Cars lined up early in pit area, ready to burn some tyres.Photo: Shahiem Bell
The Saturday youth academy, says Jonathan, is part of SPIN’s main objective, which is to contribute to social upliftment in the communities. In fact, he says, there is a plan in place for five young drivers to participate in this year’s Drift City event. What an excellent carrot to dangle for aspiring and upcoming spinners.