A once-popular township pastime in South Africa has grown into a striking sport.
Car spinning emerged in the 1980s in Soweto — where stolen cars were spun at funerals as acts of tribute. But it has since become a structured motorsport that draws huge crowds.
A Guardian picture essay explores the car-spinning scene, centered on the BMW 325i, at Johannesburg’s Wheelz n Smoke arena.
Car spinning “is a form of identity and aspiration,” the outlet reported, which “reflects discipline, creativity, and community, transforming Johannesburg’s urban landscape into a stage for resilience, performance, and pride.”
The subculture was helped into the mainstream by South Africa’s sports minister Gayton McKenzie, noted the BBC. McKenzie, a former gangster who spent seven years in prison, was once a spinner and his ministry has promoted the sport in recent years.