Rospa International, a name synonymous with high-performance and JDM machinery in South Africa, has added another feather to its cap. Known for importing desirable sportscars and showcasing them on the track, the company has taken its passion a step further by creating its own race team—centered around a truly iconic machine: the R34-series Nissan GT-R.
Company founder Himal Chris Paul explained the motivation behind the move: “Rospa isn’t afraid of competition, which is why we formed the race team. We believe that we can compete with anyone in the business and motorsport arenas.”
The team recently ventured south for their first outing at the inaugural Speed Classic, held on 24-25 October 2025. The new hillclimb event, set over a 1.8 km course on Philip Kgosana Drive at the edge of Table Mountain, offered a fresh challenge for the team.
“We were really excited to head south for this new challenge,” Paul said. “It was a totally new event that we were looking forward to. It’s great that there are more events like the Simola Hillclimb where we can run our time attack racecar.”
At the heart of Rospa’s entry is a heavily modified R34 GT-R, prepared by Steve Clark of No Sweat Racing. Under the hood, it boasts a larger displacement engine, new turbochargers, and a standalone Haltech management system. A Holinger six-speed sequential transmission with paddle shifters completes the drivetrain, while a wild aero kit—including a massive rear wing, deep front splitter, and flat underfloor—gives the car a menacing presence on the track.
Clark, tasked with piloting the R34 up the challenging course, described his first runs: “It was interesting for the first runs on Sunday morning, just learning the ideal line and knowing where I could push. The course is really narrow, and there is no room for error. I was quite cautious early in the day.”
As confidence grew, Clark progressively pushed harder, chopping seconds off his initial times and putting the R34, the only one of its kind in the field, into contention for the finals.
The culmination of skill, courage, and meticulous preparation came in the Modified Saloon Car finals. Clark posted a blistering sub-40-second run, crossing the line in 39.629 seconds to secure a top five finish.
“I really gave it my all in that last run. Some corners were sketchy as the car has just a little too much understeer at the moment. That is something we need to look at ahead of the next event. But we came and we delivered,” Clark reflected.
Paul beamed with pride at the result: “Steve is a madman behind the wheel. I don’t know how he does it, but he knows how to get the best out of the car that he built. A top five finish against all these really special cars with so much more power than ours is a real achievement.”
Rospa International’s successful debut at the Speed Classic is a clear statement: their passion for performance isn’t just about importing cars—it’s about standing behind them, pushing them to their limits, and proving their mettle on the track. With this impressive start, the R34 GT-R and its dedicated team are certainly a force to be reckoned with in South African motorsport.
