Speed freak

Rally driver Gugulethu "Gugu" Zulu is fondly known as "the fastest brother in Africa".

But this suave speed machine is equally comfortable in the slow lane, especially when chasing after his gorgeous, marathon-loving girlfriend, Letshego Moshoeu.

Popular BP/VW racer Zulu joins fiancée Letshego on their annual Two Oceans Marathon pilgrimage to Cape Town.

"It's a date for life," says Zulu, who has pledged to lend support for Moshoeu on the run.

He dreamed of racing when he was just six, and first went on to a track in 1999 after graduating from the Isondo Racing Academy.

Legendary rally driver Sarel van der Merwe was quick to spot his talent and became Zulu's mentor in 2001, when he gave him the second seat in the inaugural Sasol Steam Team.

There was no stopping Zulu and he repaid Van der Merwe's faith in him.

Zulu's need for speed is unquenched. Racing is in his blood and he has a handful of national titles under his belt.

Apart from racing, he is also an instructor at the Volkswagen driving academy in Kyalami.

What was your first car?

A Ford Laser 1.4. I called her Susan.

How did you get it?

My aunt was trading in her car for a newer model. I offered her cash for the trade-in amount and took the car.

What did it cost and how long did you have it?

R6000 and I had it for about two years.

What attracted you to it in the first place?

I used the car for my matric dance. I managed to get my licence a week before the dance. I had initially asked my folks to hire an Audi A4 for me, but they laughed at my suggestion and offered the family car, which was the Nissan Skyline. But I did not really like it much, so I asked my aunt and she obliged.

What's your current car?

I have a Golf 6 GTI and I love it. It's dark grey and has a DSG box ( I ordered a manual, but it was not available).

What made you choose the car you have?

Courtesy of my racing commitments with VW, I get to drive a VW Golf GTI as one of the perks

If you won the Lotto, what vehicle(s) would you buy?

Two cars, the AC Cobra and the Audi RS4 Avant B8.