For many participants, illegal street racing is driven by speed, adrenaline, and competition.
That reality was brought into sharp focus last month when a fatal crash during an alleged illegal street race along Steve Biko Road in Gezina, Pretoria, once again thrust the underground racing culture into the spotlight. While such incidents are often underreported and play out largely out of public view, they tend to surface most devastatingly, through fatal crashes that expose a broader problem on South Africa’s roads.
The push to move racers off public roads comes amid growing concern over dangerous driving in KwaZulu-Natal. Earlier this year, the provincial Department of Transport launched a hunt for the men who filmed themselves driving at breakneck speed overtaking other users on the road.
The video went viral on social media and the department said it was heartening to see that many of those who saw the clip it had condemned the video. At the time Transport MEC Siboniso Duma condemned the incident. He also warned that illegal drag racing and heavily modified vehicles pose a serious threat to other road users.
Authorities have increasingly turned to social media to identify offenders, saying reckless drivers are contributing to preventable crashes and fatalities on the province's roads.
KwaZulu-Natal has long been regarded by many racing enthusiasts as the home of South African drag racing, efforts are intensifying to steer racers away from illegal street competitions and into safer, controlled environments.
In May Dezzi Raceway in Port Shepstone, hosted a "Street to Strip" event aimed specifically at attracting street drivers (illegal drag racers)who would otherwise race on public roads.
Raceway manager Mo Adam said the response was overwhelming with 93 entrants turning up despite the circuit's preferred limit of 80 vehicles. Adam said the cap is intended to ensure that competitors get sufficient time on the track rather than paying entry fees for only a handful of runs.
"We had 93 entries, all street-legal cars," Adam said. "We were very specific that your car had to be a street-legal car, not a dedicated track car."
Unlike illegal street racing, the event was conducted under strict safety conditions, with medical personnel, fire services and marshals on site. Drivers competed over a regulated 400-metre strip, with restrictions on the types of vehicles allowed to participate.
Adam, himself a former street racer, said the objective was not simply to provide an alternative venue but to change attitudes around safety while preserving the social side of the sport.
"It's not only about bringing people off the street to come and race. It's also about family. It's camaraderie. It's time for people to chill from their daily lives," he said.
He believes that the success of the event is an indication that there is significant demand for legal racing opportunities. Since that Street Two Strip event in May, interest has remained high.
"On the day while I was clearing up, five guys asked me, 'When's the next one?' Ever since then my phone has not stopped because they want to know when the next one is. There's a hell of a lot of interest."
He said a second Street to Strip event is planned and will also feature spinning and drifting exhibitions.
Duma has called on citizens to expose reckless drivers by contacting them or outing them on social media. Recently the department launched a hunt for a man and his friends who filmed themselves driving at breakneck speed while overtaking other users on the road.
“With institutions of higher learning and schools closed for winter holidays, we are bracing ourselves for illegal racings especially on excluded municipal roads. Our Road Traffic Inspectorate is working with traffic departments in various municipalities as part of clamping down against drag racing,” said Duma.
He warned that through the #NenzaniLaEzweni operation, they were removing irresponsible drivers as they are a danger to unsuspecting innocent road users.
“Weekends should be the time for families to bond instead of funerals caused by reckless drivers.”
Duma said that certain roads in suburbs, townships, and other areas have been turned into hazardous zones with residents and innocent road users living in fear.
“Illegal drag racing involves cars with modified engines. Such cars are a danger, as the steering and braking systems are left unaltered (and unable) to handle the high speed.”
It is for these reasons that RTI and Operation Shanela will now take drastic measures to sustain a zero-tolerance and no-nonsense attitude.
With the advent of social media, we are encouraging communities to send us videos of illegal drag racing,” he said.
“No significant trends, it has been around for many years. It is nationwide and often only makes the news when there are severe crashes or major incidents.”
He explains that participants, the attraction is often speed, status, and the thrill of pushing limits. For everyone else on the road, the risks can be deadly.
“There are no safety regulations as to vehicle fitness, seatbelt restraints, guardrails, or fencing for onlookers. The general motoring public is exposed to unnecessary risk,” said Jonck.
He warned that when speed increases, so do the chances of tragedy.
“The faster the vehicle travels, the longer it takes to bring it to a safe stop, the less time there is for evasive manoeuvres, and the more significant the impact and consequences of a collision.”
According to Jonck, illegal racing is often fuelled by more than just a love of cars.
“Definitely the adrenaline, peer pressure, social media, car culture, and the feeling of invincibility. There is also the belief that people can control it better than others who end up in crashes.”
Motorsport officials say illegal racing highlights a reality many enthusiasts fail to appreciate, there is a world of difference between racing on a track and racing on a public road.
“The key difference is safety, structure, and responsibility,” said Cindy Van Der Laan, General Manager of the Southern African Endurance Series (SAES).
“Sanctioned motorsport takes place in controlled environments under strict regulations, with trained officials, medical teams, and comprehensive safety standards. Illegal street racing occurs on public roads not designed for competition, placing everyone at unnecessary risk.”
Van Der Laan said professional motorsport is built around protecting both competitors and spectators.
“Sanctioned motorsport incorporates technical inspections, safety equipment, trained marshals, medical response teams, and controlled circuits. Street racing has none of these protections.”
She further detailed that many participants are driven by a genuine passion for speed and competition.
In KwaZulu-Natal, long regarded by many racing enthusiasts as the home of South African drag racing, efforts are intensifying to steer racers away from illegal street competitions and into safer, controlled environments.
In May Dezzi Raceway a racing circuit in Port Shepstone, hosted a "Street to Strip" event aimed specifically at attracting those involved in street racing (illegal drag racers)who would otherwise race on public roads.
Dezzi Raceway manager Mo Adam said the response was overwhelming with more than 90 entrants turning up despite the circuit's preferred limit of 80 vehicles. Adam said the cap is intended to ensure that competitors get sufficient time on the track rather than paying entry fees for only a handful of runs.
"We had 93 entries, all street-legal cars," Adam said. "We were very specific that your car had to be a street-legal car, not a dedicated track car."
Unlike illegal street racing, the event was conducted under strict safety conditions, with medical personnel, fire services and marshals on site. Drivers competed over a regulated 400-metre strip, with restrictions on the types of vehicles allowed to participate.
Adam, himself a former street racer, said the objective was not simply to provide an alternative venue but to change attitudes around safety while preserving the social side of the sport.
"It's not only about bringing people off the street to come and race. It's also about family. It's camaraderie. It's time for people to chill from their daily lives," he said.
He believes that the success of the event is an indication that there is significant demand for legal racing opportunities. Since that Street Two Strip event in May, interest has remained high.
"On the day while I was clearing up, five guys asked me, 'When's the next one?' Ever since then my phone has not stopped because they want to know when the next one is. There's a hell of a lot of interest."
He said a second Street to Strip event is planned to take place in the next month or two and will also feature spinning and drifting exhibitions.
“Many people are drawn to speed, adrenaline, and competition. The challenge is channelling that enthusiasm into structured motorsport programmes where drivers can develop their skills safely and potentially pursue meaningful careers.”
The recent crash has also sparked renewed calls for enforcement. As a result of the deadly incident, a multi-disciplinary law enforcement operation was conducted along Steve Biko Road. Ward councillor Leon Kruyshaar was among those who joined the metro police during the operation.
“We’ve got the Metro Police, we’re busy with law enforcement,” he said. “Last week we had a serious accident here where one of our residents got injured in an accident and passed away. Really, really bad situation. So we’ve decided to start with these operations.”
Kruyshaar said he hoped authorities would maintain pressure on offenders. He also proposed the creation of a legal drag-racing facility where enthusiasts could race in a controlled environment.
Recently, AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit also raised concerns following the fatal incident.
In a letter to SAPS, the unit’s head, Adv. Gerrie Nel, said race participants appeared to have little fear of law enforcement action.
“The failure of law enforcement to prevent the practice of holding road races on a public street, while other vehicles still have access to that street, is not only reprehensible, but may also support an argument that law enforcement was complicit in the reckless lawlessness that has yet again claimed a life,” said Nel.
“Members of the public must be able to use public roads at any time of day without fear that racing vehicles will endanger their safety.”
The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) echoed those concerns.
“MISA strongly condemns illegal drag racing which poses a grave danger to motorists, pedestrians, and professional drivers. These reckless activities endanger lives and undermine road safety. Every fatal crash leaves families devastated. MISA continues to call for stricter enforcement of traffic laws, targeted awareness campaigns, and improved collaboration between authorities and the public to protect communities. Road safety is non-negotiable - reckless driving has no place on South African roads.”