KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa — Rospa International has long been synonymous with the country’s most desirable sportscars and JDM machines. The company has earned its reputation not only by sourcing exceptional vehicles for discerning enthusiasts but also by putting them to the ultimate test: the racetrack.
“Rospa imports these incredible cars for our clients and I am lucky to own my JDM dream car as well,” said company founder Himal Chris Paul. “We are so confident in the quality of vehicles we import that we have subjected them to the high-pressure world of motorsport.”
Rospa made its motorsport debut at the 2024 Simola Hillclimb (SHC), entering a Nissan GT-R R34 V-Spec II — owned by Paul himself — against a field of seasoned competitors. Against all odds, the KZN-based outfit claimed a class victory on its maiden outing, a feat that confirmed the company’s commitment to excellence. Despite a strong follow-up performance at the 2025 SHC, technical gremlins prevented the car from showing its true pace. Now, all eyes are on the team’s next challenge: the inaugural Speed Classic.
Set against the iconic backdrop of Table Mountain, the Speed Classic will take place along a 1.8-kilometre uphill course on Philip Kgosana Drive (formerly De Waal Drive) from 25–26 October 2025. Saturday will showcase classic cars, while Sunday’s King of the Mountain Shootout will host the extreme machinery — a perfect stage for Rospa’s JDM powerhouse.
“We are really looking forward to this event,” Paul said. “As a new course, it will be completely unknown to any competitors. Some of our rivals have years of experience at Simola, while we’ve only competed there twice. This new event provides a level playing field, and we can’t wait to see how our car performs.”
At the helm of the GT-R will be Steve Clark, a renowned tuner of JDM machines responsible for the extensive modifications that have transformed the car into a bona fide racecar. Clark has increased the displacement of the RB26DETT engine from 2.6 to 2.8 litres and added a pair of top-mount turbochargers. Fueling and timing duties are managed by a sophisticated Haltech ECU, ensuring the engine delivers optimum performance under extreme conditions.
A standout feature of the GT-R is its Holinger six-speed sequential transmission with paddle shifters, allowing for lightning-fast gear changes even at wide-open throttle. Over a short, technical course like the Speed Classic, these fractions of a second can make all the difference.
Clark shared his excitement for the new challenge: “We’ve carried out further modifications since Simola, and the car is even more powerful now — we estimate it’s putting out around 1 000 hp. We’ve also refined the aerodynamics, adding a large front splitter, flat floor, and massive rear wing. These changes should make us more competitive, especially as no one really knows what to expect from this new course.”
Motorsport fans and speed enthusiasts will have the chance to see the Rospa International GT-R in action, alongside an array of high-performance machines, when the inaugural Speed Classic takes over Cape Town this October. With a racecar this capable, and a team this determined, the event promises edge-of-your-seat excitement and the thrill of true JDM performance on South African soil.
