Illegal street racing in Cape Town: 'It's about money, some call-outs pay up to R5000.'

Pippa Hudson speaks to Govan Whittles, a producer at Carte Blanche about illegal street racing.

Sunday's (22 September) episode, delved into the latest in the world of illegal street racing.

In 2009, the Ghost Squad – an elite traffic enforcement team netting thousands of Cape Town motorists every month for reckless driving, running robots and the like – set out to curb illegal street racing.

According to Alderman JP Smith, Safety and Security Council Member - street racing is illegal and included in the by-laws of the City of Cape Town which is the only City to do it.

Whittles says JP Smith and the City of Cape Town have provided a location for street races to race legally at Killarney but racers whom Whittles interviewed say the legally designated track 'doesn't feel the same as the road' nor does it have the 'danger' factor to it.

So, illegal street racing is still going strong, accounting for 300 complaints every month across the City of Cape Town, notes Whittles.

Street racing or drag racing clubs also exist and they are organised on WhatsApp groups with the culture of 'calling out other fast cars' to race spontaneously.

This can happen when one driver sees another at a robot or on a highway and 'calls them out to a race' immediately or at another secret location. 

Why do people street race illegally? 'It's about money,' says Whittles.

'Call-outs can pay up to R5000 if you win,' adds Whittles.

Some racers also race for the danger, bragging rights and the spontaneity of a race to prove how fast their car can go.

"It's about money... that's a lot of cash to show my car is faster than yours."

- Govan Whittles, Producer - Carte Blanche

The Ghost Squad also use advanced technologies such as drones and surveillance planes which uses thermal technology to spot races.

While these street racers are happening around the Atlantic Seaboard and around industrial areas, residents in these areas 'play a crucial role in helping the Ghost squad spot street racing as it happens' adds Whittles.

Spectators often fill the side of the streets while the race happens without a care they will get fined if they are caught, notes Whittles. 

Watch some of this Carte Blanche episode below:

"The best people to tip off police are residents because they know when the races will happen outside their homes."

- Govan Whittles, Producer - Carte Blanche

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.