Cape Town road closures ahead of Speed Classic event spark frustration

Major traffic disruptions are expected in Cape Town ahead of the Speed Classic Cape Town event on 25 and 26 October. Philip Kgosana Drive will be closed to allow organisers to build the race track, a decision that has drawn criticism from some locals who question the event’s value.

For several days ahead of the event, the road which serves as one of the main routes into the city will be subject to closures.

Some Capetonians say the road closures for the two-day event cannot be justified.

But Steyn Momberg, Director of the Cape Town Speed Classic, says they are needed to allow for the building of the race track.

"We're building the track with the Formula E infrastructure with the concrete barriers, with a catch barrier, so it takes X amount of time to build the track."

He says the closures are a result of a compromise with the City of Cape Town and admits that initially they had asked for longer closures.

"We've had many months of planning this with the City and got it to a closer concertina of closures."

He admits the closures will have a major impact on traffic in and out of the city.

"We hope that the pre-planning and how people drive will not be too severe."

Momberg responded to the suggestion from one CapeTalk listener that the race is a 'C-grade event' that appeals to few Capetonians.

"That's a subject of opinion, but the vision for the event is to create an international, iconic, Hill Climb event on the slopes of Table Mountain."

The event marks the return of hillclimb racing to the Mother City after nearly 60 years and will feature around 150 cars, from rare vintage classics to modern supercars, competing in timed runs.

Philip Kgosana Drive will be fully closed in both directions from Thursday, 23 October, through to Sunday, 26 October, for the build-up, race weekend, and tear-down.

For full details of the closures, click here.

To listen to Momberg in conversation with CapeTalk's John Maytham, use the audio player below.