Johannesburg - Two-time Formula One world champion Mika Häkkinen has accepted a Johnnie Walker Gentleman’s Wager from South African rally driver and television presenter Gugu Zulu that could see Zulu win the chance to drive one of Häkkinen’s favourite cars of all time - the Mercedes 300SL Roadster.
In association with luxury whisky brand Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Zulu wagered Häkkinen that if he could accomplish a near impossible feat, Häkkinen would need to hand him the keys to an immaculate classic racing car.
To win the wager, Zulu would have to successfully train businessman and international public speaker Vusi Thembekwayo - a racing enthusiast with no experience - in a limited amount of time, to set a lap time at Kyalami race track within five seconds of Häkkinen’s best lap, in a car of Zulu’s choice.
Thembekwayo will be taking on the challenge at Kyalami, in front of several safety crew and witnesses, later this month. Häkkinen and Thembekwayo will each undertake three sets of timed laps around the track, starting with Häkkinen setting the time that Thembekwayo has to chase.
HOW THE SEED WAS SOWN
Häkkinen and Gugu met at a car festival in Durban in 2013, when the retired Finnish racing legend swept into the Moses Mabida Street Race Course in a classic Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster, one of his favourite cars of all time. It was at this event that the car caught Gugu’s eye as one he wished to drive one day.
Zulu then narrowly defeated the double F1 champion in a tuk-tuk race. Häkkinen spent the rest of the day with Zulu, cementing their new friendship.
Recently hearing that Häkkinen would be in South Africa, to discuss and spread the responsible drinking message through Johnnie Walker’s global “Join the Pact” campaign, Zulu posted footage from their 2013 race on Facebook and reminisced about the car. The post caught Johnnie Walker’s eye - setting in motion a series of events that led to the wager involving Thembekwayo.
The results of the race will be revealed on 20 May 2015 on DSTV channel, Mzansi Magic.
To find out more about the #walkerwager visit the Johnnie Walker Facebook and follow the luxury brand on Twitter for updates.
Star Motoring