Motorsport Festival to Mark Seychelles' 50th Independence Anniversary |20 June 2026
Three days of motorsport action, motoring heritage and family entertainment
Autosport Seychelles, the FIA-recognised national sporting authority for motorsport in Seychelles, will host a three-day Motorsport Festival from June 27-29 as part of the nation's celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Independence.
The festival, which will take place daily from 11am to 4pm at Champions Park Raceway, Roche Caïman, promises a unique opportunity for the public to experience motorsport first-hand, participate in driving activities, learn about various disciplines and celebrate Seychelles' rich motoring heritage.
The event is being sponsored by H Savy Insurance (HSI), while PMC Auto will join the celebrations with a special vehicle showcase and promotional offers.
The festival opens on Saturday June 27, with a programme dedicated to grassroots motorsport and public participation.
A special ‘Come Karting’ initiative will allow members of the public to get behind the wheel of a go-kart and experience the thrill of driving at Champions Park Raceway. Operating on a paid Arrive-and-Drive basis, participants will receive a briefing before taking to the circuit in a controlled environment under the supervision of Autosport Seychelles officials.
The day will also feature Kart slalom, one of the activities introduced through the FIA Motorsport in a Box programme.
Kart slalom is a precision driving challenge in which competitors navigate a timed course marked by cones and obstacles. Unlike traditional racing, the emphasis is on accuracy, vehicle control and precision rather than outright speed. Drivers must negotiate the course cleanly while avoiding penalties for striking cones or missing designated gates.
The discipline provides an excellent introduction to motorsport and helps develop important driving skills, including braking, steering control and spatial awareness.
Sunday's programme will shift focus to vehicle handling and driver skill demonstrations through the disciplines of Gymkhana and Autocourse.
Gymkhana challenges drivers to manoeuvre a vehicle through a complex course featuring tight turns, slaloms, figure-eight, parking boxes and other obstacles. Competitors race against the clock while demonstrating precision, control and vehicle handling. The discipline is widely regarded as one of the most accessible and entertaining forms of motorsport, combining skill, concentration and vehicle mastery in a safe and controlled environment.
Autocourse, meanwhile, is a timed driving challenge designed to test a driver's precision and consistency rather than outright speed. Participants navigate a predefined course marked by cones and obstacles while attempting to record the fastest clean run. Penalties are applied for striking cones, leaving the course or failing to follow the correct route.
Often regarded as the foundation of many motorsport disciplines, Autocourse teaches drivers vehicle control, observation, smoothness and accuracy.
Throughout the day, members of the public will have the opportunity to observe demonstrations, learn more about the disciplines and engage with local motorsport enthusiasts.
The festival will conclude on National Day, Monday June 29, with a special celebration of Seychelles' motoring history through a Historic Car Exhibition.
Organised by Autosport Seychelles in collaboration with the Seychelles Motor Sports Federation (SMF), the exhibition will showcase vehicles that have played a role in the country's development and transport history over the decades.
Visitors will be able to explore a display of classic, historic and iconic vehicles representing different eras of motoring in Seychelles, from the Ford and Datsun generation of the 1970s through to the Toyota-dominated decades that followed.
The public will also be invited to vote for their favourite vehicle in the people's choice award.
One of the highlights of the day will be the vintage car ride-along experience, where visitors can, for a fee, enjoy a chauffeur-driven tour around Champions Park Raceway in selected historic vehicles, offering a rare opportunity to experience motoring from a bygone era.
Adding to the attractions, PMC Auto will showcase two of its latest vehicles and will have representatives on site offering special promotions and pricing across its vehicle range.
Entertainment will be provided by the Odyssea Dance Group, while food and beverage vendors will help create a family-friendly atmosphere throughout the day.
The festival will conclude with a ceremonial historic car parade featuring participating vehicles in a celebratory procession around the venue.
Autosport Seychelles chairperson Liza Rene-Cosgrow said the event represented an opportunity to showcase both the sporting and historical aspects of motoring in Seychelles.
"Motorsport is about much more than racing. It is about skills, technology, heritage and community. As Seychelles celebrates 50 years of Independence, we wanted to create an event that not only allows people to experience motorsport first-hand but also reflects on the vehicles and individuals that have been part of our nation's journey over the last five decades," she said.
The motorsport festival is open to the public and promises three days of education, entertainment and celebration for motorsport enthusiasts, families and visitors alike.
Contributed