The smell of burning rubber together with the aroma of braaivleis, gave true meaning to fun in the sun for the large crowd of spin enthusiasts who turned up for the much anticipated ‘Rehoboth Spin Invasion 2’ , which was held at ‘Die Kraal’.
A good turnout of over ten local spinning cars included a smaller than expected show from Botswana, which put the ‘Woema’ into the Rehoboth community on Saturday. As expected the ‘manne laat waai’ with dare devil tricks and contagious energy that has become synonomous with this fast growing motorsport discipline which has a fan base spread around the country.
The crowds were entertained by Namibia’s top spinning teams, represented by the Windhoek NAMTOL Motorsport Club, Coastal Spinners, Rehoboth spinners ‘Four-Fourz’, as well as local individuals who were all there to give it a full ‘tonk’. There was even participation from three local female drivers – Monique Sandy and Charlotte who were out to prove that they are not taking a back seat for the men.
One of the highlights in amongst the bunch, must be the yellow and black BMW taxi themed spinning car which hails from Swakomund. The ‘Taxi’ is driven by owner Eschel Smith, otherwise known in spinning circles as ‘Gawi the Taxi driver’ with his co-driver and stunt man ‘Zulu’.
He told Woema that they are part of the Coastal Spinning and Drifting Club based in Swakopmund, which has about 15 active spinners in the club, and has been going for almost a year. He said that his ‘Taxi’ themed spinning car has inspired other guys to come up with something quirky for their cars, and that we will be seeing more spray jobs in future springing up.
Doughnuts, wheel spins, jumping onto roofs and other new and daring stunts saw the spinners go all out to outdo each other, with each trick drawing an overwhelming responsive from the appreciative crowds. Commenting on the event, Windhoek NAMPTOL spinner ‘Most Wanted’, Peter Opali told Woema, “Everyone did a lot of crazy stuff, taking their tricks to the next level which is really becoming a test of skill.”
He said that the spinners were given such a warm welcome by the Rehoboth community, and jokingly, added that spinning has become so popular it is well on its way to becoming a ‘national sport.’
Meanwhile, the engines have hardly had time to cool off than the guys are off and running again. An invitation was extended for a spinning demonstration to take place at the Otjowongo Show grounds on Saturday and a group are heading up that way on Friday.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the fans that attended the spin show this past weekend – it was an amazing and very entertaining event,” said Peter. “Big ups to all the drivers for showing real skill and talent and spinning with all of you was awesome – see you in Otjiwarongo.”
Two young beauties who mingled with the people , were Miss Namibia Brumhilda Ochs and her first princess Bernadine Kubersky seen here with a local spinner.
Charlotte Movers one of the ladies who put up a show in the ‘Taxi’
A spinning spectacle rocked Rehoboth on Saturday, as the sport gathers momentum and a huge national fan base
The ‘Taxi’ in action driven by Gawie the ‘Taxi driver and his co-driver stunt man ‘Zulu’
Most Wanted Namtol spinner Peter Opali in action