Samkeliso 'Sam Sam'
Thubane
South Africa
·
Spinning
Date of birth | 1 February 1992 |
|---|---|
Age | 34 |
Nationality | South Africa |
Disciplines | Motorsports Various |
To begin any profile of Samkeliso 'Sam Sam' Thubane for an international audience, it's best to start by saying a little about the scene he's grown out of. Squealing rubber, raging engines, dizzying revs and enough smoke to choke up a freight train, the sport of Spinning is bursting out of the underground motorsports world and making a name for itself. What started as a township tribute, has burgeoned into a major African motorsport, intertwining local heritage and adrenaline-pumped performance. It really has to be seen to be believed and this is as good a place as any to start.
Best known as Sam Sam, Thubane hails from Mbombela – formerly know as Nelspruit – in the South African province of Mpumalanga. The son of a respected local businessman, he first cut his teeth on quad bikes before making the step up into the world of Spinning when he convinced his dad to buy him his first BMW E30.
His big break in terms of wider recognition came in 2016 when he took part in the TV show, So You Think You Can Spin? Over the course of 13 30-minute episodes, he showcased his jaw-dropping skills behind the wheel to come first out of 300 contestants, garnering the most public votes and walking away with a prize of R250,000 (around €15,500 at the time).
Since then he has gone from strength to strength; twice winning the prestigious Red Bull Shay' iMoto contest in Johannesburg. He credits the sport of Spinning with helping to keep him on the right path in life and hopes his success will serve as inspiration to a burgeoning new generation of spinners.