Excellent teamwork in EL
East London is often the forgotten city in South Africa, but when it comes to adrenaline activities, it’ s wildly overresourced.
The Buffalo City has some of the world’ s best power surfing reefs. And one of the world’ s most demanding racing circuits. It ' s officially known as the Prince George circuit, but most racers and motorsport followers know it as the East London GP circuit. Testament to its history as an erstwhile Grand Prix circuit.
With its spectacular location only a few hundred meters from the beach, the East London GP circuit has a background and surroundings that few other racing circuits can rival. Perhaps Anglesey in Wales or Philip Island in Australia. But in South Africa, East London has the most picturesque motorsport location.
Sharing the thrill
At round two of the 2026 Backdraft series, in East London, Craig Czank was not attempting to tame the formidable East London GP circuit alone. He shared the seat of his Backdraft Cobra for the four-hour endurance racing event with Fabienne Lanz.
Anyone who remembers the legendary Group N racing Fiat Unos of the 1990s will know that Lanz is a name with real legacy in South African racing. Fabienne is the daughter of Swiss master tuner, racer, and longtime South African motorsport master technician, Peter Lanz.
Craig and Fabienne complement each other’ s driving style and rhythm perfectly, making an excellent team.
Endurance racing is much more complex and demanding than just having upperbody endurance to keep on that ideal racing line for hours at a time. The most skilled endurance racers can remain consistently on the pace, while managing the car.
Built in a time when speed was everything, and aerodynamics didn’ t matter, the East London GP circuit is both feared and revered. It features two of the fastest corners in South African circuit racing. Potters Pass and Rifle Range follow each other and reward the most courageous and skilled drivers.
As a beachfront circuit, the East London GP venue does have much more wind exposure than inland circuits. That’ s always something to consider for upcountry racers, like the Czank Team.
WORDS IN ACTION 34 APRIL 2026