Spinning
Everything you ever wanted to know about the sport of Spinning
It’s NOT drifting. To begin with…
“In pure, simplistic classification terms,” says Vic Pardal, Sportive Director of Red Bull Shay’ iMoto, “Spinning is the art of controlling chaos while creating entertainment, just like theater, while Drifting is a motorsport, governed by a strict set of rules and formats.”
While it may not be respected as a Motorsport to some, to the spinning community it has become their pride and joy. "It is a culture and a movement… And yet, it is the only ‘motorsport' that covers all races, faces and different shoelaces,” Vic says. “It is the only motorsport that is accessible for everyone in this country.”
Red Bull Shay' iMoto
According to Vic spinning is deeply rooted in South African culture and has been happening for over 30 years. “Traditionally it was used as a celebration of life at people’s funerals, and for certain other celebrations and purposes which were beyond the law,” he says, explaining that while it remains loud and raw and remains true to its roots, spinning has evolved a lot over the past three decades and emerged from its sometimes shadowy connotations to the mainstream motoring scene.
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“As long as there have been rear-wheel drive cars in South Africa, people have been spinning cars,” he says. “But spinning is very different today to what someone’s uncle or grandfather was doing years ago in a, let’s say recreation centre parking lot” Vic says.
In the mainstream sphere spinners have become performers - out to entertain the crowds. “It’s pretty much a travelling circus where we as the paid-performers travel from town to town to entertain the masses,” Vic says.
Red Bull Shay' iMoto will take place in September this year and is set to once again showcase the best South African spinning talent with 12 drivers competing for the title. Those 12 will be made up of the top six drivers from the online entry system (go cast your vote here!) the top four drivers from Red Bull Shay' iMoto 2020; as well as two selected wildcards.
Find out more about the event (and how you could win an exclusive viewing experience to attend it) here.