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Car spinning in South Africa - 8th October 2021

Car spinning is an official motorsport in South Africa. It entertains big crowds.

Car spinning began in some neighbourhoods of Johannesburg, over 30 years ago. People who stole cars enjoyed spinning because they wanted attention.

Events manager, Ayanda Mbele explains the sport’s history.

Ayanda Mbele: "People would steal cars and go celebrate in the locations, so they would spin the cars. And then also during funerals as well they would spin cars, cuz it's, it’s, it’s, it’s, it’s the culture. It's what people love to see."

Spinning isn't legal on city streets. Events take place legally in some stadiums. Drivers spin around in circles. Some people drive without holding the steering wheel. Others hang upside down and open the doors.

Austin Kruger: "I like the adrenaline it gives me. I started on a quad bike first before I started spinning, so that’s how it happened. When I got into the spinning, I bought my first car. I started on the streets and that's how we, we built it, and now we’re doing it in an arena."

Tracey-Lee May explains why women like spinning cars.

Tracey-Lee May: "You get stunts, you get doughnuts, you get. It's like a combination of all different motorsports tied into one and it's so much fun. And the reason why I’m spinning is to show females that you can do anything you set your mind to doing."