Local rallycross drivers will step up onto the world stage in a big way when they take part in the 2019 SABAT World Rallycross of South Africa at Killarney International Raceway on 9 and 10 November in two fully-fledged support classes for the first time.

There will there be races for conventional two-litre front wheel-drive rally and rallycross cars, as well as for the high-revving ‘big sixes’ of the E36 Cup – three litre rear wheel-drive BMW 3 Series luxury sedan dating from the late 1990s that enjoy a cult following among South African petrolheads.

Each class will compete in two qualifying races of four laps for five cars on Saturday 9 November and one on Sunday morning, 10 November, in front of thousands of local and visiting enthusiasts. The top six cars from qualifying in each class will then go through to a six-lap final on Sunday.

The World Rallycross and second-tier RX2 class cars, however, are all four-wheel-drive, while local competitors have either front or rear wheel-drive, depending on their class.

This means that the techniques of driving on the 60 percent tar, 40 percent gravel circuit will be very different from each other, as well as from the World Rallycross competitors – possibly resulting in some unconventional racing lines, particularly in the dirt sections.

Having home-town heroes taking part in this world championship event at Killarney International Raceway will give local motorsport fans even more to cheer for.