Upgrade completed at Killarney Raceway’s skidpan to elevate motorsport training in Cape Town

The long-awaited upgrade of the skidpan facilities at Killarney Raceway, situated in the Western Cape, has officially been completed, marking a significant investment in South Africa’s motorsport and road safety landscape.

This professional-grade training environment is the sole skidpan in Cape Town, developed through a collaboration between MasterDrive and the Western Province Motor Club (WPMC).

Eugene Herbert, CEO of MasterDrive, emphasised the necessity of this upgrade, stating, it is the only skidpan in Cape Town and it was important to ensure it meets professional standards.

“Additionally, there was a desperate need for an above-average facility. Consequently, MasterDrive, assisted by WPMC, upgraded the facility and committed to its ongoing management.”

The renovations to the skidpan are not only pivotal for individual drivers but also enhance the entertainment value that motorsport brings to South Africa.

“Additionally, the refurbished skidpan plays an important role in the entertainment function that motorsport plays in South Africa. It encourages drivers to keep antics meant for a controlled area to a professional-grade skidpan, ”Herbert added.

According to Eugene ‘Gino’ Nourse, the general manager of coastal regions at MasterDrive, the project represents a commitment to enhancing Cape Town’s infrastructure for motorsport and road safety. “The value of this is well over R500 000. It shows full commitment to transforming the skidpan into a state-of-the-art facility, ”he explained.

The upgraded skidpan not only benefits individual drivers but also caters to a range of organisations. “A key objective of the upgrade includes contributing toward social investment initiatives, particularly those focused on youth development. MasterDrive will use the facility to deliver educational programs targeted at improving driving practices among young drivers,” Nourse says.

Moreover, the skidpan serves as a venue for team-building activities that combine education and entertainment, a concept MasterDrive calls “edutainment.” This innovative approach will help reduce risks across various organisations while enriching drivers with experiences often accessible only to a select few.

With the upgraded skidpan now fully operational, residents of Cape Town are encouraged to take advantage of this exceptional facility.