Regarded as one of the world’ s fastest and most unforgiving old-school circuits still in use, East London has South Africa’ s two fastest corners: Potters Pass and Rifle Range. They are in sequence and, to most racers, the truest test of courage and skill on any South African circuit.
Like Dezzi, the afternoon onshore winds at the East London Grand Prix circuit are always a variable on the dual back straight. The East London Grand Prix circuit’ s back straight, divided by The Esses and Cox’ s Corner, runs almost parallel to the coastline. That means strong afternoon onshore winds are from left to right, which can make setup and racecraft a real challenge into The Esses, which is a right-into-left combination. For Craig and the Czank Racing Team, the journey to East London in late April will be another eventful journey to build community with other racers. But also the opportunity to race a true driver’ s circuit. One created in a time before computeraided design, when speed and flow were the guiding principles.
FROM THE STRIP TO SIMOLA
This year might be Czank Racing’ s return to circuit racing, but quarter-mile competition and hillclimbs will feature, too. Drag racing remains a deep passion for Craig.
Czank Racing will be a regular presence at Tarlton, the spiritual and true home of South African drag racing. Doing their best to find traction, achieve the lowest response times, and ultimately put on a spectacular show, which is what the drag racing community and its committed followers deserve.
The Simola hillclimb is of great significance to Czank Racing, as it is unquestionably the premier speed weekend and celebration of all things performance motoring on the local calendar.
Last year Craig’ s custom turbocharged Lotus Exige was a spectacular presence on the hill. This year? Well, more on that next month …
MARCH 2026 36 WORDS IN ACTION