Tony Rust Race Track: Keeping a legacy alive

Built in the early 1980s by racing legend Tony Rust, the Tony Rust Race Track remains one of southern Africa’s most iconic and fastest tracks.

Measuring 2.6km with a 36m elevation change, it offers more than thrilling race. It also serves as a training ground for advanced driving courses.

However, maintaining the venue is a constant struggle. The track relies on gate fees, facility rentals and the support of motorsport enthusiasts to cover costs.

“Even that is not always enough,” says groundskeeper Geh Visagie. Salaries, water and electricity bills must be paid, while heavy rains often damage roads and infrastructure. Problem animals also sometimes wreak havoc on the ablution facilities.

Some income comes from buildings rented out by the Windhoek Motor Club (WMC) to local businesses. But the circuit’s upkeep extends beyond infrastructure. Safety fences, tyre barriers and other requirements must meet international standards set by the International Motorsport Federation and monitored locally by the Namibian Motorsport Federation.

Between events, Visagie and his small team maintain the grounds, repaint markings, trim the grass and sweep debris off the tarmac.

“It’s done for love and charity,” he says. “If we don’t keep our hands on maintenance, the track will fall apart.”

He praises his staff for their commitment and thanks local supporters such as Cecil Koorts of Cema Racing, who invested in the go-kart circuit, Xico Coetzee and the Namboer team, who upgraded the drag strip, and M+Z Motors, regular hosts of motoring events.

After nearly two years with the WMC, Visagie’s efforts are visible despite limited funding. Yet he dreams of turning the raceway into a ‘motorsport city’, similar to Cape Town’s Killarney Raceway, where businesses such as workshops, bars and restaurants operate from the track.

“That’s my dream for Tony Rust: for it to become a place where motorsport and business coexist,” he says.

The raceway also offers a 4×4 and off-road track with graded obstacles next to the main circuit.

According to WMC chairperson Richard Slamet, the club runs on about N$25 000 a month, with no direct support from the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture.

Resurfacing the entire track would cost around N$5 million.

Tony Rust Race Track hosts various events, including international circuit races involving Namibia, South Africa and Angola, as well as go-karting, drag racing, spinning and drifting.

The venue features spectator stands, pit areas and a broadcasting tower.

Upgrades between 2013 and 2015 included resurfacing and new safety barriers to meet International Automobile Association (FIA) standards, reinforcing the track’s role as the hub of Namibian motorsport.

Now, Visagie and his team are back at work preparing for the season’s final national race in November, keeping alive uncle Rust’s vision of speed, passion and perseverance.

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