Festival of Motoring announces 2024 dates, extended WesBank partnership

5th December 2023 By: Tasneem Bulbulia - Senior Contributing Editor Online

The Festival of Motoring, described as an African celebration of automotive excellence, will take place from August 30 to September 1, 2024, at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, in Johannesburg.

This will be the seventh iteration of the event.

Another highlight is the renewal of WesBank’s naming rights partnership for an additional three years.

This extension is said to underscore the festival’s influence on the automotive industry and to solidify its role as a platform for industry players to connect with motoring enthusiasts.

“The Festival of Motoring stands out as a must-attend event on the annual motoring community calendar, and we are delighted to continue our partnership with WesBank for another three years.

“This ensures that we can enhance the visitor experience and build on the immersive nature of the event, surpassing the expectations of our fully engaged audience together,” says event organiser Messe Frankfurt South Africa MD Michael Dehn.

“The Festival of Motoring stands as a significant highlight on the local automotive calendar, capturing the attention of motoring enthusiasts from across the nation and beyond,” acclaims WesBank CEO Ghana Msibi.

“This event has transcended the traditional boundaries of a mere car show, transforming into a premium exhibition that spotlights cutting-edge mobility solutions accessible to the local market.

“As South Africa’s leading provider of innovative vehicle and asset finance solutions, WesBank is proud to ‘power’ this event for the next three years. Our participation is geared towards presenting the finest offerings in the mobility space to both our current and prospective customers, ensuring they experience the forefront of what is available,” he adds.

Hosted within the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, the Festival of Motoring is poised to deliver an immersive experience, showcasing the latest industry achievements, cutting-edge products and technological advancements.

Emphasising innovation, on-track activities and entertainment, this event offers manufacturers an opportunity to engage with an audience.

“The Festival of Motoring provides the ultimate motoring experiential platform. Whether exploring automotive passions, enjoying the sights and sounds of favourite brands, test driving the next vehicle purchase, or simply indulging in adrenaline-fueled fun with family, this event caters to diverse interests, drawing in all segments of the automotive landscape over three days,” says event show director Judy Maharaj.

The Festival of Motoring brings together automotive enthusiasts hailing from across South Africa.

This gathering features an offering of 10 000 test drives executed over three days, conducted by professional drivers.

The Festival is indicated to reflect an 18% purchase intent among its attendees, while attendees are highlighted to have an above-average car ownership profile, with all German brands securing a prominent presence within the top 15 brands owned.

Attendees can anticipate several activities, from experiencing passenger and performance models driven around the Kyalami track by professionals to first-hand encounters with cutting-edge technologies.

The Festival is also family-friendly.

Tickets for the Festival of Motoring 2024 will be available from March 2024.