WHEN Xolela Njumbuxa (20) once said his dream is to become a champion racer like Tschops Sipuka, his classmates laughed, but a teacher recognised his potential and inspired him to keep his dream on track. Today, Xolela is one of the Eastern Province’s most promising young racers on the track.
“Ever since primary school I always spoke during orals about racing and then my classmates used to laugh at me. But at Bethelsdorp Comprehensive School, where I matriculated, my science teacher, Trevor Louis, encouraged me to pursue this dream of mine,” said Xolela.
So, one day whilst still at school, Xolela called the head office of Motorsport South Africa and was put in contact with Ashwin Harri, chairperson of Algoa Motorsport Club in Port Elizabeth.
“He asked me whether I had any mechanical or racing background and I said ‘nope’. And he then offered me the opportunity to join Bright’s Motorsport Team in Uitenhage to teach me about mechanics and racing. And here I am. They welcomed me with open arms.”
Sparky Bright said Xolela at first joined the crew in the pits to learn the technical side of motorsport. “He came in very green and did not even know how to change a tyre. But he was very eager to learn and 18 months later was offered the opportunity to get into a VW Polo, made available by Volkswagen South Africa as part of their development programme,” said Sparky.
Xolela receives his racing training from racer brothers Daniel and Chassen Bright.
From streetcar to endurance and modified saloons
“We entered him for his first race on 24 October 2020 in the Streetcar category for newcomers. Xolela did very well and we were very impressed. He progressed more quickly than we thought and therefore, in the second race on 27 November, we threw Xolela in at the deep end and made him do the three-hour endurance race along with Melandré Marais from East London.”
In this he again showed his potential as they surprised Bright’s Motorsport Team, finishing third overall on index performance. In endurance racing index performance is a highly regarded award as it is a calculation of consistency. This season Xolela has been upgraded and as part of the development programme of Algoa Motorsport Club in conjunction with Motorsport South Africa, did his first race on February 6 in the Modified Saloons category in a VW Polo. He won the F Class in his first outing and now is jointly leading the 2021 EP Modified Regional Championship.
“At first I thought I was dreaming … is this really me racing? As so many people have told me it is impossible, a guy from the township, how are you going to make it?” said Xolela.
“Although nervous, it was an absolute fantastic feeling which I enjoyed thoroughly. All I kept in mind was what my mentor Daniel told me, ‘stay focussed and smooth is fast’ because if you are rough you won’t make your times . Take it smoothly and gradually you will make it.”
According to Daniel, Xolela’s willingness to understand the working knowledge of the car he is driving is a huge asset. “You have to have the knowledge of how your car operates and be able to communicate the feeling. Xolela has that and he puts into practice the advice we give him. He picks up very quickly and definitely has the feel for racing,” said Daniel.
Thank you, Mr Trevor Louis!
Xolela wishes to thank all who played a key role in his life, contributing to his dream becoming reality. Especially his sponsors Fuchs, VW Motorsport, motorsport stalwart Terry Ranger, Tschops Sipuka, Bright’s Motorsport Team, Algoa Motorsport Club and MSA.
“I do wish to thank teacher Trevor Louis who took me to my first ever motorsport event at Longmore Forest. I do not know where he is, but I will keep on looking for him, because I would personally like to thank him for believing in me.
“I will never stop dreaming. My next goal is to be on the podium at the end of the year . And then, as I like controlled chaos and extreme racing, my long-term dream and the ultimate is to race in the Dakar Rally or the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” said Xolela.
His parents have not yet seen their son in action, but hopefully will in the next race on Saturday, March 6, where Xolela will compete in round two of the MSA EP Regional Modified Saloons championship at Aldo Scribante. Spectators unfortunately, owing to COVID-19 regulations, are still not allowed on racing days.
Sparky Bright said, “I would like to thank Motorsport South Africa for their continued drive in their development programme.”
