70 years of Ferrari racing in SA – More than just cars

By Kurt Solomon

There are certain events you attend that stay with you long after the lights go out and the engines cool down. The launch of the book 70 Years of Ferrari Racing in Southern Africa was one of those evenings for me.

Not only because of the incredible history being celebrated, or the breathtaking Ferraris scattered throughout the beautiful venue, but because it reminded me how fortunate I’ve been to cross paths with some truly remarkable people along my own journey.

Firstly, a massive thank you to Carel Nolte for the invitation. Standing there, surrounded by smart, inspiring people – and, of course, decades of Ferrari racing heritage – was genuinely nostalgic for me. I found myself reflecting on how much of my career and many of my experiences have been shaped by the people in that room.

I had the privilege of working with both Carel Nolte and Paolo Cavalieri during my time at Etana, and later again with Carel at EasyEquities, the naming rights sponsor of Pablo Clark Racing. To this day, I consider both of them not just exceptional business leaders, but role models in how they treat people, build brands and inspire those around them.

What stood out throughout the evening was that Ferrari is never just about cars. It’s about passion. Legacy. Precision. Emotion. The pursuit of excellence.

That same mindset is something I’ve seen firsthand from people like Carel and Paolo throughout the years.

The book itself is an incredible piece of work. Compiled by Denis Klopper together with Pablo Clark Racing and a wider team of contributors, it documents seven decades of Ferrari racing history in Southern Africa, from the very first Ferraris competing locally in the 1950s through to modern GT and endurance racing. The publication spans 384 pages and includes more than 650 images, race results, technical information, stories, driver line-ups and previously unseen archival material. It also pays tribute to key figures who helped shape Ferrari’s racing legacy in South Africa.

And then there’s Pablo Clark Racing.

Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to have a few unforgettable experiences with Pablo Clark and Ferraris. From driving some of these incredible machines around tracks like Kyalami and Zwartkops, to witnessing the passion and professionalism behind the scenes, it’s impossible not to get swept up in the emotion of it all.

But one memory stands above the rest.

A few years ago, through Easy Equities and Pablo Clark, I had the opportunity to visit Maranello, the spiritual home of Ferrari. For anyone who loves motorsport, engineering, or simply the idea of chasing greatness, it’s difficult to explain what that experience feels like. Walking through a place where decades of innovation, obsession, victories, failures and relentless pursuit of perfection all come together is genuinely inspiring.

You leave realising something important: greatness is rarely accidental.

Whether in motorsport, business or life, the people and organisations that succeed over long periods of time usually share similar traits: consistency, resilience, passion, attention to detail and the willingness to keep pushing when things get hard.

Ferrari’s story in South Africa reflects exactly that. The history is filled with racers, engineers, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts who pursued excellence simply because they loved it.

That passion still exists today through organisations like Pablo Clark Racing, through collectors and historians preserving the legacy and through brands like Easy Equities supporting South Africans, and meaningful brands and experiences that inspire people.

The evening also reminded me how important relationships and mentorship are in life. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities, lessons and experiences I’ve had through working with leaders like Carel and Paolo over the years. Sometimes you only fully appreciate those influences later in your journey.

As the saying goes, people may forget what you said, but they rarely forget how you made them feel.

And when I reflect on evenings like this, on the memories at Kyalami and Zwartkops, in Maranello, and on the journey itself, the overwhelming feeling is gratitude.

Grateful for the experiences.
Grateful for the lessons.
Grateful for the people.

And grateful that in a world moving so fast, there are still stories, passions and legends worth preserving for future generations.

If you’re a motorsport enthusiast, historian, Ferrari fan or simply someone who appreciates stories of passion and perseverance, 70 Years of Ferrari Racing in Southern Africa is far more than a coffee table book. It’s a celebration of heritage, ambition and the people who dedicated themselves to building something timeless.  Check out  https://www.pabloclark.com/ or order your copy here.