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Reader: SA racing legend in action

Wheels24 reader JUAN BEUKES created an awesome video about one of Cape Town's legendary race drivers, Willie Nel.

In the video, Beukes learns how Nel became involved in racing and reveals what's under the bonnet of his 1973 Chevrolet Can-Am.

If you’re a regular spectator at Killarney in Cape Town, chances are, you'll know who legendary racer Willie Nel is. He participates at most race days, if not all of them, and is one of the most respected racers on track.

Watch the Willie Nel Can-Am VIDEO

Nel has been involved in SA motorsport since 1977 with this specific model: “I was introduced to racing in 1973 in Johannesburg and then bought my first Can-Am in 1977 and moved to Cape Town. This is my fifth Can-Am and I wont part with it.”

"The 6.4-litre engine used to be a 302 unit, now it’s a 408 kicking out 500kW /907Nm."

Nel says the Can-Am has a turbo hydramatic 350 gearbox, a Demon 780 CFM drag RS carburettor and a Moses 33 spline shafs differential.

Nel said that during filming he completed a quarter mile stretch at Kiilarney racetrack in 10.1seconds, He claims his personal best is 9.940sec. Nel said that he has reached a top speed of about 225km/h on track.

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