Latest news with #SamSam
IOL News
6 days ago
- Automotive
- IOL News
How spinning is becoming South Africa's fastest growing motorsport
ALTHOUGH not mainstream but spinning is becoming the fastest growing sports in South African. | Supplied Image: Supplied Words could never really describe the feeling you get when you see a BMW E30 in a roll back burnout which ends up clouding the area around it with smoke. You can hear the car's engine limiting like it's going to break, and then all of a sudden…it disappears in a cloud of white smoke. It's not so much a sport but a stirrer of emotions, mainly adrenaline, which permeates throughout the drivers, stuntmen and the spectators alike. There's no real point structure like the Super Drift series, but rather, spinning is mainly judged by the crowd's applause - which makes it the most interactive motorsport to date. South Africa can be looked at as a pioneer of the sport, which is now entertaining crowds in Austria (shout out to Samkeliso Thubane). The amount of raw, young talent bubbling to the surface right now in the world of spinning is a breath of fresh air. In many aspects, spinning has also given the youth something to strive toward, given that is achievable to participate in financially. Aspiring for greatness Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Sam Sam has reached the pinnacle of the sport, according to McKeenan 'Troubles' du Plessis, 33, a Johannesburg spinner from team Japan Auto - who would one day follow in similar footsteps. Troubles got into the sport at 13-years-old as a stuntman and knew since then that he was destined to be a driver. A decade later, the colourful spinner drives his own Nissan VQ25 swapped BMW E30. His 'boxshape' has been fitted with a 5-speed BMW gearbox to go with the V6 Nissan power plant and runs on a Spitronics engine management system. The diff's also been welded locked. 'I think immediately after getting into the sport as a youngster, I wanted to drive one day. But I was small and didn't have the money so I became a stuntman just to stay close to the sport and grow as well. 'I used to be a stuntman for a guy named Rogan from Reiger Park Spinners. We competed mainly in Vosloorus, Soweto and Soshanguve. Since then, I think the crowds have really grown, mainly because of social media. There's a lot more attention on the sport now, especially after Sam Sam became a star and went all over the world. 'I think as a spinner, he reached the pinnacle of the sport and we all would like to be like that and go around the world spinning. Things are moving here in South Africa though and I'm sure it will grow the sport,' du Plessis said. Troubles even got himself a stuntman now - Dillon 'Toppie' Holster. Holster is often holding on to the side of the E30 for the past two years. "I enjoy hanging out of the car and showing that I fear nothing. The best part about spinning is showing off our skills. Since I started with McKeenan the sport has really grown and I hope one day people can watch it on TV like a real sport," Holster said. McKeenan du Plessis spinning the Japan Auto BMW E30 at the Gas Motorshow in Durban. McKeenan du Plessis spinning the Japan Auto BMW E30 at the Gas Motorshow in Durban. Image: Auto Rush Why so popular? Unlike drag racing and circuit or drifting, spinning doesn't require a private vault filled with cash to be successful. Do not misunderstand that, however, you do need money to get started but it is possible to develop in the sport with a 'beginner' level car. More experienced drivers tend to spruce their cars up with more power but that must be accommodated by other modifications to support the power - which is when it starts getting very expensive. Hence, most spinners try keep it as simple possible. What separates spinning from other motorsports though, is the fact that you do not need too many specialized parts in your vehicle when it comes to the gearbox, suspension or engine. A drag racing vehicle for instance, needs a custom gearbox, suspension and fuel system or else you are swatting flies with a chopstick. In short, a drag racing vehicle has to be completely rebuilt with aftermarket parts for it to be "win". Spinning on the other hand, is more about style than about speed. Its about expressing yourself and standing out from your competitors through different tricks, stunts and your stuntman. Engines on a spin car also undergo a serious amount of pressure but it's the differential that takes the most beating because of the constant locking and unlocking motion. Most spinners have opted to weld the differential at a locked position to keep the wheels spinning more easily. The cars in the sport are not necessarily the prettiest and that's because they often take a bump or two every now and again. Drivers do not care so much about the aesthetic appeal of their cars but mainly the engine, gearbox and suspension. The gearbox is not much of a deciding factor when building a spin car and it is possible to "get away" on a budget option although not advised.
The Citizen
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga car spinner spins his way to global stage
A talented car spinner from Masoyi recently showcased his skills on the global stage at the grand reopening of Red Bull Hangar-7 in Salzburg, Austria, gaining international recognition and strengthening his position as a cultural ambassador for South Africa. Samkeliso Thubane, known as SamSam, is a rare talent whose artistry and dedication to the sport of car spinning have earned him international acclaim. His participation in the prestigious event has not only brought pride to his community, but has also earned him national acclaim and highlighted his role in representing South African youth culture. He has won many spinning competitions around the country, including a particularly notable show called So You Think You Can Spin, where he came first, beating 300 other contestants to take the top spot. He has also won the Red Bull Shay'moto competition twice. ALSO READ: Pienaar coach empowers young girls through soccer The Mpumalanga MEC for culture, sport and recreation, Leah Mabuza, has commended SamSam's accomplishment. 'Thubane has truly distinguished himself as an ambassador of Mzansi through his participation in this international event. He joins the ranks of several Mpumalangan citizens whose talents have been acknowledged beyond our borders. Our province is rich in talent, and SamSam is a shining example of this.' ALSO READ: Sportreach rugby team unstoppable and undefeated Mabuza said Thubane's success is a powerful reminder of the potential that lies within Mpumalanga's youth, and that the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation remains committed to supporting and nurturing local talent to reach even greater heights. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Durban to host its first Shay iMoto spinning festival
Motorsport fans in Durban will be pleased to know that Red Bull is bringing their prestigious Shay' iMoto spinning event to the city in August at the Suncoast Casino. Petrolheads, car enthusiasts and hardcore spin fans will have the opportunity to witness the country's best spinning artists painting their masterpieces on thde Durban tarmac. From King Katra and Sam Sam to Panjaro Kruger and reigning champion Chadwin 'Boksie' Hadjie, the city will play host to spinning royalty this winter. The cooler conditions in August, combined with Durban's coastal location, are set to enhance vehicle performance. Most spinning cars used in the scene today are naturally aspirated, and these engines benefit significantly from the oxygen-rich atmosphere at sea level, as more oxygen improves combustion efficiency — giving performance cars more 'juice'.
