Breaking Barriers in Africa: All-Female Team and Youngest Driver Ignite 24-Hour ‘Lemons’ Race Showdown

4 mins read
motorsport endurance race

The MF Autobody 24 Hours of iLamuna is a pioneering motorsport event in Africa featuring an all-female team and the youngest known driver participating in a 24-hour Main Circuit race. The race is unique as it caters exclusively to “Lemons” vehicles, with a price tag of less than R55k, and attracts a diverse mix of vehicles and teams. This event shatters stereotypes and encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage in motorsport, pushing the limits of what is considered possible.

What is the MF Autobody 24 Hours of iLamuna?

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

The MF Autobody 24 Hours of iLamuna is a pioneering motorsport event in Africa featuring an all-female team and the youngest known driver participating in a 24-hour Main Circuit race. The race is unique as it caters exclusively to “Lemons” vehicles, with a price tag of less than R55k. The event encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage in motorsport, pushing the limits of what is considered possible.

A groundbreaking historical event is on the horizon for motorsport fans in Africa, as the MF Autobody 24 Hours of iLamuna will feature an all-female team and the youngest known driver participating in a 24-hour Main Circuit race. Hosted at the Redstar Raceway near Delmas, this endurance event attracts a diverse mix of vehicles and teams, pushing both drivers and cars to their limits.

A Varied Assortment of “Lemons”

The MF Autobody 24 Hours of iLamuna is a unique event, catering exclusively to “Lemons”—vehicles with a price tag of less than R55k. With 74 clunkers in the lineup, the race will exhibit an eclectic range of rust buckets, from retired tow trucks and crumbling Datsuns to corroded Toyotas and more. Embracing the event’s eccentric character, teams such as Boetfighters, Nucking Futs, Sax & Violins, and crowd-favorite Princess Asstina the Fifth will compete side by side in a 24-hour, nonstop battle.

A Classic Le Mans-style Kickoff

The race is set to begin with a traditional Le Mans-style start, where drivers sprint across the track to their vehicles at 12:15 pm on Saturday. The contest will rage on until the finish line on Sunday, with drivers emerging exhausted and battered after an intense 24-hour face-off.

A Historic All-Female Endurance Team in Africa

Among the competing teams is the first-ever all-female 24-hour endurance team in Africa, the Pink Arrows. BeauAnn Hegyi, Jo-Anne Gibbon, Lea-Anne Massey-Hicks, and Natalie Weston make up the team, who will compete in an aged Mercedes SLK. The Pink Arrows’ mission is to smash stereotypes and inspire other women to challenge themselves in motorsport. Team captain BeauAnn expressed her hope that their entry will motivate more women to defy expectations and enter the world of motorsport.

A 24-Hour Main Circuit Race With the Youngest Driver

Another groundbreaking achievement will take place as 15-year-old Nikki Vostanis joins the event, becoming the youngest driver to participate in a 24-hour Main Circuit race. Vostanis started karting in 2021 and has since earned podium finishes in the Toyota Academy’s inaugural Yaris Cup and a top-five finish in his Polo Supercup debut. Nikki will be teaming up with Asiento Rapido, driving their Seat Leon.

A Magnificent and Reckless Odyssey

The third annual MF Autobody 24 Hours of iLamuna is regarded as the most magnificent and reckless undertaking drivers will engage in all year. The event is proudly backed by Dunlop tires, Havoline oils, and Insurisk wealth management. Motorsport enthusiasts can track the race on Facebook or Instagram, ensuring they catch all the thrilling action.

Shattering Stereotypes and Pushing Boundaries

The MF Autobody 24 Hours of iLamuna not only offers an entertaining and challenging motorsport event but also serves as a platform for breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes. By providing an opportunity for the first all-female endurance team in Africa and the youngest driver to compete in a 24-hour Main Circuit race, the event encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage in motorsport, pushing the limits of what is considered possible.

A Promising Future for Motorsport in Africa

The MF Autobody 24 Hours of iLamuna is more than just a race; it is a testament to the growth and potential of motorsport in Africa. As the event gains recognition and support, it is certain that many more talented drivers and teams will emerge from the continent, challenging the status quo and reshaping the world of motorsport.

1. What is the MF Autobody 24 Hours of iLamuna?

The MF Autobody 24 Hours of iLamuna is a pioneering motorsport event in Africa featuring an all-female team and the youngest known driver participating in a 24-hour Main Circuit race. The race is unique as it caters exclusively to “Lemons” vehicles, with a price tag of less than R55k.

2. What type of vehicles participate in the race?

The race caters exclusively to “Lemons” vehicles, with a price tag of less than R55k. This means the race will exhibit an eclectic range of rust buckets, from retired tow trucks and crumbling Datsuns to corroded Toyotas and more.

3. How does the race begin?

The race begins with a traditional Le Mans-style start, where drivers sprint across the track to their vehicles at 12:15 pm on Saturday.

4. Who is the first-ever all-female 24-hour endurance team in Africa?

The first-ever all-female 24-hour endurance team in Africa is the Pink Arrows. BeauAnn Hegyi, Jo-Anne Gibbon, Lea-Anne Massey-Hicks, and Natalie Weston make up the team, who will compete in an aged Mercedes SLK.

5. Who is the youngest driver participating in a 24-hour Main Circuit race?

Nikki Vostanis is the youngest driver participating in a 24-hour Main Circuit race. He is 15 years old and will be teaming up with Asiento Rapido, driving their Seat Leon.

6. Who sponsors the race?

The race is proudly backed by Dunlop tires, Havoline oils, and Insurisk wealth management.

7. What is the goal of the race?

The MF Autobody 24 Hours of iLamuna not only offers an entertaining and challenging motorsport event but also serves as a platform for breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes. By providing an opportunity for the first all-female endurance team in Africa and the youngest driver to compete in a 24-hour Main Circuit race, the event encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage in motorsport, pushing the limits of what is considered possible.

8. What does the future hold for motorsport in Africa?

As the MF Autobody 24 Hours of iLamuna gains recognition and support, it is certain that many more talented drivers and teams will emerge from the continent, challenging the status quo and reshaping the world of motorsport. The event is a testament to the growth and potential of motorsport in Africa.

Lerato Mokena is a Cape Town-based journalist who covers the city’s vibrant arts and culture scene with a focus on emerging voices from Khayelitsha to the Bo-Kaap. Born and raised at the foot of Table Mountain, she brings an insider’s eye to how creativity shapes—and is shaped by—South Africa’s complex social landscape. When she’s not chasing stories, Lerato can be found surfing Muizenberg’s gentle waves or debating politics over rooibos in her grandmother’s Gugulethu kitchen.

Previous Story

Game-Changing Security Moves: South Africa Leads Maritime Revolution Against Piracy and Cyber Threats

Next Story

The Battle for Rugby’s Soul: How Danie Craven’s Legacy Fuels the Stormers in a High-Stakes Showdown at Stellenbosch

Latest from Blog

Five Nights, Five Worlds: Galileo’s December Cinema Safari Through the Western Cape

Get ready for Galileo’s December Cinema Safari, where movies come alive in amazing places! Imagine watching action flicks in a garden, or a highflying movie on a helicopter pad. Each night has tasty food, fun activities, and cool surprises that match the film and setting. It’s five nights of pure movie magic under the stars in the Western Cape. Don’t miss this oneofakind outdoor cinema adventure!

From Angels to Banjos: How Cape Town’s 2023 Festive Lights Sparked a Culture War

Cape Town’s 2023 festive lights sparked a big fight! They swapped out old angel decorations for new ones showing banjo players and carnival masks. This made some people very angry because it changed what Christmas felt like. Others thought it was a good way to show off local culture and history, especially the “Kaapse Klopse” tradition. So, a simple light display turned into a huge argument about culture and who gets to decide what the city looks like.

City of Gold, City of Guns: The Mid-Day Murder That Stopped Johannesburg Cold

DJ Warras, a beloved radio star, was tragically murdered in a busy Johannesburg food court. This wasn’t a random robbery, but a planned hit by a ‘reputation guardianship’ gang. These groups extort money from performers and businesses, using violence when people refuse. It seems DJ Warras was killed because he spoke out against them, turning a regular lunch hour into a shocking scene of crime and fear.

Silent Sappers: How a Pin-Sized Beetle Is Redrawing Cape Town’s Skyline

A tiny, pinsized beetle is slowly killing Cape Town’s trees. This beetle digs into trees and introduces a deadly fungus that chokes the tree from the inside. The city is fighting back with special teams, tree injections, and even citizen help to track the beetle’s spread. They are planning to replace many trees with stronger native species, but it’s a huge, ongoing battle.