Apologies if this has been covered before. I guess that in the bad old days of aparthied, any non-white South African would have found it imposible to find the resources to go motor racing in that country, and in any case may well not have been allowed to do so. But am I wrong in thinking this? I have a vague recollection of two brothers (I think) called Mike and Joe Domingo who competed in F5000 events. Were they allowed to do so as a token attempt at respectability by the government, or were there no racial barriers in motor sport in SA at the time?
Racing in South Africa inder apartheid
Started by
ian senior
, Apr 22 2003 10:31
11 replies to this topic
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#2
Rob29
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Posted 22 April 2003 - 13:43
Yes,Joe & Mike Domingo did take part in the SA F1 series & the later psudo Atlantic races. No idea about their background. On the other side of the coin I have seen diagrams of the East London circuit with separate enclosures for white & black spectators.
#3
Allen Brown
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Posted 22 April 2003 - 17:24
The Domingos had raced earlier than the F5000 era but could only appear in the Rhodesian or Mozambique races. When they firts raced at Kyalmai (IIRC about 1971) it was regarded as something of a breakthrough.
Allen
Allen
#4
quintin cloud
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Posted 22 April 2003 - 18:01
Quote
Originally posted by ian senior
Apologies if this has been covered before. I guess that in the bad old days of aparthied, any non-white South African would have found it imposible to find the resources to go motor racing in that country, and in any case may well not have been allowed to do so. But am I wrong in thinking this? I have a vague recollection of two brothers (I think) called Mike and Joe Domingo who competed in F5000 events. Were they allowed to do so as a token attempt at respectability by the government, or were there no racial barriers in motor sport in SA at the time?
In the aparthied days there was NO limit for non whites to race in motorsport events, the one and only point was that you had to have your own team, pit crew and sponsors, the Domingo's were Indian nationality, and they still have there work stop that payed for the racing in Joburg in the 1960's. The Domingo's started racing in the mid 1960's (1966/7
)
#5
Hieronymus
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Posted 23 April 2003 - 06:12
Was there not a third brother called, Yunus? I believe that I have a photo somewhere of him...
Think Yunus owns a tyre company in Johannesburg.
Yes, indeed it seems that there was pavillions for whites and non-whites in East London, but that was the norm at most sport stadiums, aswell as most other public places.
I think that motorsport always claimed to be a-political in SA, but I guess only men like the Domingo brothers will be able to tell how it exactly was to compete as a non-white.
Motorsport really did not receive much scope, so I don't think the government of the day was too much bothered with racial integration in this particular sport.
Think Yunus owns a tyre company in Johannesburg.
Yes, indeed it seems that there was pavillions for whites and non-whites in East London, but that was the norm at most sport stadiums, aswell as most other public places.
I think that motorsport always claimed to be a-political in SA, but I guess only men like the Domingo brothers will be able to tell how it exactly was to compete as a non-white.
Motorsport really did not receive much scope, so I don't think the government of the day was too much bothered with racial integration in this particular sport.
#6
Felix Muelas
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Posted 23 April 2003 - 07:41
Quote
Any chance of locating any of them and asking?Originally posted by Hieronymus
...but I guess only men like the Domingo brothers will be able to tell how it exactly was to compete as a non-white...
Felix
#7
Hieronymus
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Posted 23 April 2003 - 10:44
Quote
Originally posted by Felix Muelas
Any chance of locating any of them and asking?
Felix
Felix
Shall try to get you Yunus's contact details. If so, I shall email it to you. Perhaps its better if you ask him yourself. I am sure he'll give you an unbiased answer as foreigner, rather than me asking him. See what I can do...
#8
quintin cloud
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Posted 23 April 2003 - 10:58
Quote
Originally posted by Felix Muelas
Any chance of locating any of them and asking?
Felix
Felix I can try see if they are still around in Joburg area. But I have had a quick look on the net a South african On-line telephone directly that is at the best of times not up to date and it came back with 31 replies for joe and 25 replies for Mike , the problem with the Domingo surname is that is like Smith or brown, there are so many of them and a they all have J or M somewere in the names.
#9
Hieronymus
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Posted 24 April 2003 - 05:51
Yunus Domingo is a director of a tyre company in Johannesburg that carries the Domingo name. He is indeed the brother of Joe and Mike. Their father was called Solly, if I remember correctly.
For those that are interested - South Africa produced its first black motor racing champion last year. A chap with the name of Tschops Sipuka. He was crowned as champion in the VW Polo Cup Series (Production Cars).
I understand Sipuka use to work for an undertaker where he had to drive the hearse to funerals. Wonder how many motor racing champs can claim that they were hearse drivers in their "former life".
For those that are interested - South Africa produced its first black motor racing champion last year. A chap with the name of Tschops Sipuka. He was crowned as champion in the VW Polo Cup Series (Production Cars).
I understand Sipuka use to work for an undertaker where he had to drive the hearse to funerals. Wonder how many motor racing champs can claim that they were hearse drivers in their "former life".
#10
dmj
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Posted 24 April 2003 - 20:46
Don't know for hearse drivers but IIRC Didier Auriol was an ambulance driver before his big break... (or it was Delecour? I believe Auriol is the one but not 100% sure...)
#11
Alan Lewis
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Posted 25 April 2003 - 12:47
Quote
Originally posted by Hieronymus
Yunus Domingo is a director of a tyre company in Johannesburg that carries the Domingo name. He is indeed the brother of Joe and Mike. Their father was called Solly, if I remember correctly.
For those that are interested - South Africa produced its first black motor racing champion last year. A chap with the name of Tschops Sipuka. He was crowned as champion in the VW Polo Cup Series (Production Cars).
I understand Sipuka use to work for an undertaker where he had to drive the hearse to funerals. Wonder how many motor racing champs can claim that they were hearse drivers in their "former life".
For Heinz-Harald Frentzen it was the family business.
APL
#12
andrewf
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Posted 25 April 2003 - 13:55
Quote
Originally posted by Hieronymus
For those that are interested - South Africa produced its first black motor racing champion last year. A chap with the name of Tschops Sipuka. He was crowned as champion in the VW Polo Cup Series (Production Cars).
I recently had the pleasure of seeing Tschops race at the Aldo Scribante Raceway in Port Elizabeth. His victory in the second heat of the VW Polo Cup event was masterful. His success fills me with a deep satisfaction, given the injustices of the past.
The series can be followed here: http://www.vw.co.za/...cing/engenvwcup
Andrew
