Thrills and spills in Mossel Bay's first kaskar race

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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay's first-ever kaskar race took place in Marsh Street today, 30 August.

The street was lined with onlookers, excitedly waiting to see some homemade carts zoom down from the top.

The event was a collaboration between the SAPS, Eden FM, Mossel Bay Municipality and various CPFs in Mossel Bay, and was held as a fundraiser for school sports equipment.

Teams made up of members of all ages arrived with their hand-made personalised carts and were eager to compete.

One team, the Braai Tjomme, told Mossel Bay Advertiser they were not nervous about the competition. "We pensioners don't get nervous anymore," they said.

Onlookers watched as the cars, made from various materials (including one with the seat of a wheelchair built in), gained momentum and eventually sped past.

Often a race could not take place without at least one vehicle crashing or veering sideways.

The team known as Braai Tjomme. Photo: Gabriélla Siebritz

The overall winners were Team Tarka, split into two groups, and the Red Racers. The Red Racers, three boys of Erika Primary, told the Advertiser they are incredibly happy with their performance.

"I'm very proud of myself," said Liqhawe Dubedube, one of the Red Racers.

Their car was built by a former educator at Erika Primary, Adrian Adams.

Adams told the Advertiser that although he had known he wouldn't be at the school by the time the kaskar race came around, he still wanted to encourage the learners to participate and took on the building of the cart himself.

Both Tarka teams and the Red Racers received bronze, silver and gold medals. All participants received a certificate during the prize-giving once the races were over.

It is hoped that the kaskar race will become an annual event for Mossel Bay.

Ethan Petersen, Bradwill Sekibo and Calem Joseph of Team Tarka. Photo: Gabriélla Siebritz