Motorsport Stars Thrill Fans at Cresta FastFest Motorsport Expo
By Everyday Mzansi | Events
Johannesburg, South Africa – Motorsport enthusiasts were treated to an unforgettable experience on Saturday, 18 July, as some of South Africa’s biggest racing stars stepped away from the track to meet fans during the Cresta FastFest Motorsport Expo at Cresta Shopping Centre.
While the roar of racing engines was temporarily replaced by cheers from excited spectators, the atmosphere remained electric as visitors enjoyed the rare opportunity to interact with championship-winning drivers, capture memorable photos and hear firsthand stories from behind the visor.
Among the headline attractions were Formula V Champion Chloe Stuart, who made history as the first woman in more than 50 years to win the prestigious Formula V title, Silver Cup 2.0 Champion Morgan Stewart of the Pablo Clark Easy Equities Racing Team, and internationally acclaimed South African motorsport champion, coach and mentor Fabienne Lanz.
The trio drew large crowds throughout the day, with fans eager to meet the personalities who have become household names on South Africa’s racing circuits.
Friendly Competition Off the Track
The excitement continued with the crowd-favourite Pit Stop Challenge, where the professional drivers swapped championship racing for a light-hearted battle to complete the fastest tyre change before putting their skills to the test on Formula One racing simulators.
Spectators enthusiastically cheered on their favourite drivers as friendly competition unfolded in front of an engaged audience.
Celebrating Motorsport History
Away from the action, the drivers explored the AvanteGarde Sports Memorabilia Exhibition, curated by renowned collector Yadre Gouws. The exhibition showcased signed memorabilia from some of the world’s biggest sporting legends, including Siya Kolisi, Brad Binder, Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner and Charles Leclerc, celebrating sporting excellence across multiple disciplines.
Building More Than Racing Champions
Speaking during the event, Pontso, Events and Athlete Sponsorships Manager for the Pablo Clark Easy Equities Racing Team, highlighted the importance of developing well-rounded athletes.
“Our programme develops complete athletes through driver coaching, sports psychology, data analysis, technical support, sponsorship relations and media training. We look for drivers who perform on the circuit while also presenting themselves professionally to fans, sponsors and the public.”
Eyes on the Next Race
The racing season is far from over for the stars of FastFest.
Chloe Stuart and Morgan Stewart will next compete at the Regional Extreme Festival, campaigning their BMW E46 330i six-cylinder race cars, while Fabienne Lanz’s busy international schedule includes appearances at the Backdraft Cobra event in Mozambique, the Inland Historic Race, the Backdraft Cobra Sprint at Zwartkops, and the T4 Nations Cup Karting Finals in Spain later this year.
More Than Fast Cars
Beyond showcasing high-performance vehicles, the FastFest Motorsport Expo also highlighted the many career opportunities within the motorsport industry. Visitors learned about professions in engineering, vehicle technology, media, photography, marketing and sponsorship, offering aspiring young enthusiasts insight into careers that extend far beyond the driver’s seat.
For one exciting afternoon, Cresta Shopping Centre transformed into a miniature Grand Prix paddock where South Africa’s racing champions inspired the next generation and reminded fans that motorsport is ultimately about passion, people and perseverance.
The FastFest Motorsport Expo continues at Cresta Shopping Centre until 27 July, with one of the major highlights still to come. On 25 July, visitors can look forward to the highly anticipated Show and Shine Competition, where motoring experts will judge some of the country’s finest customised and classic vehicles competing for the coveted FastFest 2026 title.
Admission is free.
