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| Tschops
Sipuka |
Broadcast
date : 27th August 2006 |
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The motorsport game in South
Africa has often been accused of being a bit of a closed shop,
as far as new talent breaking-in is concerned.
Look down the entry lists of any major race meeting and you’ll
notice famous names, or rather surnames, as sons of racing
drivers from the 1970s and 80s have been given a leg-up to the
top rung of the ladder.
So, how difficult is it for an unknown driver, and a black
driver at that, to make it to the big time?
Two guys who have cracked it are our own Gugu Zulu, who rallys
for the BP Volkswagen team, and Tshops Sipuka, a member of the
works Sasol Nissan Production Car squad.
It’s a long way from Qumbu in the Transkei to the glamour of
Kyalami and Zwartkops.
Tschops cut his driving teeth at the age of ten on a four-ton
truck in Qumbu. Ten years later, a chance meeting with his
uncle Vusi Majaj and multiple SA champ Terry Moss in a
restaurant, opened the door for Tschops.
And Tschops Sipuka in 2002, as he became the first black
driver to win a South African championship in the Engen VW
cup. But Tschops didn’t let it go to his head.
Tschops proved that 2002 championship was no fluke by winning
the title again in 2003.
He’s noted for his amazing ability in the wet, and an
extremely honest, clean driving style that holds fair play
ahead of a win-at-all-costs attitude.
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This was obviously a factor in his selection for the top Sasol
Nissan Motorsport team to contend Class A in the SA Production
Car Championship.
His most successful outing to date saw him lead the race in
Port Elizabeth before being sent spinning out of contention by
a competitor.
Other than that he has run right on the pace with his
illustrious Nissan team mates, Leeroy Poulter and Gary Formato,
and although Tschops remains realistic, he has that essential
racer’s attitude. No-one is about to beat him on sheer
driving speed.
Gugu has been winning his class in rallying this year, so it’s
been a great 2006 for our rising black racing stars.
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