What to expect from the world’s biggest BMW M Fest happening in South Africa next week

BMW South Africa’s M Fest is making its triumphant return this year, promising a weekend of spectacular motoring events from the blue-and-white-badged automaker.

The festival will take place on the 15th and 16th of October at the Kyalami Gran Prix Race Circuit in Midrand, Gauteng.

What you can expect

The festival marks the 50th anniversary of BMW M this year and, to mark the occasion, the long-awaited new M2 will be making its global debut, alongside the first showing of the new XM SUV on the African continent.

It will also host the South African premiere of the new M4 CSL.

A number of high-profile drivers will also be in attendance, such as the Red Bull Drift Brothers, who will be making an appearance in their customized M4 Coupe Competitions, as well as the local star Sheldon van der Linde, who will be one of the many professional BMW drivers on hand to provide hot laps to visitors.

“Those who prefer to be behind the wheel of their dream BMWs can do so on the custom-built test drive course,” said the company.

Also taking place will be the eighth round of the BMW Car Club Gauteng’s M Performance Parts Race Series, as well as demonstrations from the country’s top spinning athletes from the 2022 Red Bull Shay’ iMoto champion.

Other forms of entertainment, meanwhile, will consist of various bands at the event’s main stage, including performances from Zakes Bantwini, Mafikizolo, DBN Gogo, Black Motion, DJ Zinhle, Desmond and the Tutus, Mango Groove, Lady Zamar, and more, said BMW.

There will additionally be an M Kids Zone, a Lifestyle Collection store, and an M Beer garden, making for a full day’s entertainment.

A pop-up dealership will also show off a number of models from the German carmaker, from the latest entries to heritage models in gleaming condition from BMW’s Car Gauteng Concours d’Elegance.

An array of classic BMW M vehicles will also be exhibited in Kyalami’s pit garages, it said.

In a first for M Fest, an M Talk Lounge will host high-profile guests ranging from Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M, and Peter van Binsbergen, CEO of BMW Group South Africa, to Sheldon van der Linde and the Red Bull Drift Brothers, who will share the stories of their time with the company.