Old school still cool - and fast!

The 11th International Historic Raceday is going down at Zwartkops Raceway this weekend. Break out the earplugs because it's going to get loud

SO what is this event all about?

Well to put it in a nutshell, the annual International Historic Raceday is all about celebrating the awesomeness of classic racing metal.

The brainchild of Zwartkops owner Peter du Toit, this unique motoring extravaganza has some of South Africa's finest historic racing cars battling it out for on-track supremacy.

From those delicate Formula One cars that rewrote the record books in the 1960s to flame-spitting Porsche 917s tamed by fearless pilots such as Mark Donohue in the 1970s, there's something to rock the world of any old-school aficionado.

Sweetening the deal is a large contingent of foreign cars and drivers: experienced racers keen to give our local talent a tough run for their money.

This year we can expect no less than two ex-Le Mans winners - Richard Attwood and Jan Lammers.

So, get those autograph books out.

But surely old cars can't be that exciting to watch?

Quite the contrary! Although many of these cars are worth mega bucks, the racing is nothing short of spectacular - especially in the hotly contested Pre66 Legend Saloon and Pre74 Trans-Am classes.

Headlined by massive American muscle and pony cars, the racing has been known to get pretty psychical, with competitors often trading paint on their way to the chequered flag.

Mix in the collective roar of those unsilenced V8 engines and you get a spectacle that makes our modern production cars seem lame.

But if classic racing cars really aren't your thing, then you'll be pleased to hear that the Ultimate Street Car Challenge is also forming part of the programme.

A brand new formula that packed grandstands last year, this class is home to an array of modified streetcars; the likes of which include modern Porsches, Ferraris, Subarus and BMWs.

There'll also be a GT4 Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Corvette getting in on the action.

Are there any South African heroes on the entry list?

Always. This year Sarel van der Merwe will be mixing it up in a massive 1965 Ford Galaxie.

You can also catch Wille Hepburn (Chevrolet Camaro) battling his age-old nemesis, Ben Morgenrood (Ford Mustang).

Other names to look out for are Ian Scheckter, Dawie Olivier and the ultra-talented Hennie Groenewald.

I have heard rumours about a modern Formula One car making an appearance. Is it true?

Indeed. Michael Schumacher's championship-winning Benetton B195 will be wowing spectators with its iconic Mild Seven livery and wailing Renault V10 engine.

Raced by the seven-time world champion in the 1995 F1 season, this 552kW beast will be driven by experienced Dutch campaigner, Jan Lammers.

A seasoned motorsport veteran, Lammers is no stranger to Formula One. He raced with Ensign and ATS in the early 1980s. Andre Bezuidenhout is also expected to make an appearance in his Dallara Cosworth, a car that can lap Zwartkops in 55-seconds.

How close to the action can I really get?

Very. You see, unlike other forms of motorsport, the historic series is incredibly fan friendly.

This means you're more than welcome to get up close and personal with all your favourite cars and drivers.

So be sure to take a stroll through the pit lane with your camera. Best of all is the fact that Zwartkops Raceway also has some of the best spectator points in the country.

No matter where you sit, be it in the grandstands or atop the pit lane, you'll be able to see a lot of what's happening out on the circuit.

Okay I'm sold. How much is it to get in?

It is R150 for adults, R80 if you're a student. Children under the age of 12 get in for free. Tickets can be bought at the gate, or you can get them through Computicket - which will shave a generous R30 off the adult price.

Racing kicks off at 7.45am, so I suggest it would be a good idea for you to arrive early to secure a good seat.

Food and liquid refreshment will be available at the circuit's Ace's Café, which is located opposite the pit lane.

Our man Falkiner takes on legends in Mustang:

TAKING a break from his road-testing activities, MotorMania's Thomas Falkiner is going to be taking to the racetrack tomorrow in his Sunday Times-sponsored Ford Mustang Fastback.

Having been a successful campaigner in the Midas Historic Tour, he'll be battling this time against opposition including the likes of talented Ditch drover Jan Lammers, Leeroy Poulter and Willie Hepburn in what is bound to be the take-no-prisoners Trans-Am category.

So, no pressure then.