Chris Theko
Over 2000 spectators were kept on their toes during Saturday’s thrilling car spinning and drifting show at the Makoanyane military barracks in Maseru.
Popular performers from Lesotho and South African showcased their best spinning manoeuvres to the delight of the spectators who could not get enough of the adrenalin-pumping activity.
The crowd went wild with merriment as the daring spinners with a devil-may-care air, swept the track with their BMW 325s dubbed “Gusheshes”, which are described as the drifters’ best choice of vehicle.
The annual show, titled “Smokey Spinning and Drifting†saw the likes of Isla Bonita and Sam Sam of Mpumalanga and Pretoria respectively taking on local drifters such as Lebona, Shooting, Seisa, Tšoeu, Lithebe, LS-Lephoi and Team Tebello among others, while legendary DJ Tseko took care of the revelry on the musical side of things.
Seisa and Lephoi emerged as the people’s favorites, Sam Sam also did not disappoint with his breath-taking moves. It was a tough battle incorporating challenging stunts of drifting between four lined up cars.
According to event organiser Lithebe Tlali, of LK Entertainment, the event did not have female spinners this year.
“Unfortunately our ladies team could not be part of the event due to unforeseen circumstances but next time they will be included,†said Tlali.
This motorsport originated in SA’s townships in the early 1990s with the most popular cars from the 1991 BMW 3-series model range. The BMW 3-series is called Gusheshe owing to the gruff sound their engines make when they are being revved.
Although the motorsport was synonymous with car theft and township gangsterism during the 90’s, it has since gained mainstream appeal with people from all walks of life participating.
In Lesotho, the shows are held at various places, including the Masianokeng filling station in Maseru and Cloud 9 Club in Hlotse.
Among the greatest challenges facing development of the activity, Tlali says, is the dearth of appropriate venues for the development of the sport in the country.
“We incur high costs in order to organise these events and we only generate income from the entrance fees,†he says.
He stated that although some people regard car spinning as a daredevil sport, it is however, relatively safe as there are still no injuries recorded to date in the country since 2008.
Appealing to the corporate sector to support the motorsport, Tlali pointed out that the intention is to hold frequent competitions in order to increase the fan base.
