Search is on for South Africa's next Speed Star

This year, at the South African Motoring Experience (SAMEx), Volkswagen will be giving members of the public an opportunity to feature on the third season of Speed Stars which will be broadcast on DSTV's Ignition TV.

On 2 and 3 September at the Volkswagen Skid Pan area at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, contestants will be given three attempts at navigating a Volkswagen up! through a technical slalom course, with only two of the fastest times per day going through to the next round.

First round

At the launch of the TV show on 12 August, the skidpan at Zwartkops Raceway provided the perfect arena for Speed Stars to kick off the first round of the nationwide search for public contestants.

On a day where South Africa's best motor racing drivers were on display in the sixth round of the GTC and Engen Volkswagen Cup Series, the public were determined to showcase their driving talent on the gymkhana course in the hope of being a step closer to fulfilling their motor racing dream.

When the chequered flag dropped at the end of the day, Kennedy Mogotsi whose son Jonathan Mogotsi won the Volkswagen Driver Search last year and currently drives for the Volkswagen Motorsport team in the intensely contested Engen Volkswagen Cup Series, topped the Speed Stars leader board with a time of 33:61 seconds. He was followed closely by Luke McDowell in a time of 34:15 seconds.

Celebrity contestants

For the third season, Speed Stars will pit public contestants against the likes of comedians Joey Rasdien and Donovan Goliath as well as track field athlete Luvo Manyonga who is a gold medallist in the long jump.

Last year's nationwide search identified 16 hopefuls, who were then reduced to four, contesting the show and taking on the celebrities, coincidentally it was public contestant, Sandro Godinho, who went on to win season two of Speed Stars.

"We are proud to be a vehicle partner for Speed Stars, not only is the show exciting and inclusive, it also features a road safety and driver education element, so if you have a driver's licence and no previous racing experience, I urge you to join us at Volkswagen Stand at the South African Motoring Experience to see whether you can drive better than our celebrities," said Matt Gennrich, General Manager: Group Communications at Volkswagen Group South Africa.