08/07/2008 08:32  - (SA)   
 
Thando Mgaga

Pietermaritzburg - A 24-year-old man from Woodlands in Pietermaritzburg was killed during what is thought to have been an illegal drag race in Barnsley Road, Camps Drift, on Sunday evening.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and the subsequent death of Nolan Jansen.

Police spokesperson Joey Jeevan said the crash happened at about 22:00 near Makro.

"Initial investigations at the scene have established that the deceased - who reportedly was driving a quad bike - attempted to overtake a vehicle and collided (with) an oncoming car.

"He sustained severe injuries to the head and body," said Jeevan.

Not wearing a helmet

Eyewitnesses, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Jansen had been drag racing against a bakkie.

One of the witnesses said they had crossed the finish line and when coming back towards the starting point, Jansen tried to overtake the bakkie and collided with an oncoming car.

Jansen had not been wearing a helmet.

They said the illegal motor races were being held on Thursday and Sunday nights.
Jansen's father, Nichol, said his son had a passion for cars and loved drag racing.

No track

Chair of the Msunduzi Drag Racing Association, Michael Chetty, said there was a demand for drag racing in the city, but there was no track allocated for legal racing.

"We have tried to get a track from the Msunduzi Municipality for over five years, but to this day we have not received an answer.

"Youngsters will continue to use every opportunity they get to show off their cars.

"This means that they will do it illegally. If we had a track it would be safer because paramedics would be on standby and they can also be educated on how to ensure that their cars are roadworthy," said Chetty.

By: News24