Willie Hepburn, a cherished name in South African motorsport, has died at the age of 82 due to natural causes at his home in Bedfordview, Johannesburg. His passing marks a significant loss for the racing community and brings to a close a remarkable chapter in the sport’s history.
Born in Johannesburg in 1942, Hepburn started his journey in the racing world as an apprentice mechanic at Basil Green Motors in 1958. It was here that his passion for modifying cars and racing began to flourish, building a foundation for his storied career.
A pioneer from the start, Hepburn made waves by 1965 with his creation of the “Mortina,” a unique racing car that combined the body of a Morris 1000 with a 1500 cc Cortina engine. The Mortina quickly rose to fame for its impressive performance, clinching victories at local venues like the Wembley Hotrod track and Kyalami club races, earning Hepburn a reputation as a master car builder.
Shifting gears in the late ’60s, he transitioned to drag racing, showcasing his speed while driving a V8 Chevy II. His impressive prowess was highlighted in 1971 when he set a record at the Kyalami Top Speed Runs, hitting 145 mph in a 1967 Chevrolet truck.
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Throughout the 1970s, Hepburn continued his winning streak with models like the Mazda RX-2 and Capella. Notably, in 1982 he secured the national title with a Chevrolet SS in the Star Modified Saloon Car Championship, followed by a Group One title in 1984 with a Mazda RX-7.
His partnership with Opel began in the late 1980s and solidified his standing in the racing community. In 1989, he constructed V8-engined Opel Rekords and set an astounding national land speed record in 1990, reaching 372 km/h in a twin-turbocharged, 7.0-liter Pontiac Trans-Am—a record that remains unbroken in South Africa.
Hepburn’s passion for racing outlasted typical retirement years; he continued racing a Chevrolet Corvette, affectionately named the “Flying Naartjie,” until 2013, even winning a national championship race at Killarney, making him the oldest to do so in South Africa. A serious crash in 2014 couldn’t extinguish his competitive spirit, which remained as strong as ever.
In recognition of his contributions to the sport, Hepburn received the Motorsport South Africa’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014, celebrating a legacy that will inspire many future racers.