A new documentary shines a spotlight on wire car racers, the children of Philipstown, who are proving that imagination can drive real transformation.
Philipstown, South Africa (09 October 2025) – It is lights out in the Karoo, the starting flags are set to drop as a group of young dreamers take off, not in Ferraris or Formula 1 cars, but in handcrafted wire cars built from scrap and pure imagination.
This is The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix, a new documentary launching this October. It tells the story of how a small South African town has turned creativity and resilience into a movement of hope.
At its core is the Philipstown WireCar Foundation, born from the success of the annual race and powered by the global attention the film is now drawing. The foundation aims to use the proceeds from the documentary to fund long term youth upliftment. Everything from computer and robotics training to e-learning access and driver’s licence programmes.
Kay Fourie, co-founder of the event and now Chairperson of the Philipstown WireCar Foundation.
“Philipstown is an impoverished town with a lot of social and economic problems, and there was a collective feeling of hopelessness. We saw these kids building incredible toys for themselves out of nothing, and we decided to give them an opportunity, one day a year, to compete and celebrate their skill. It was about creating a moment of pride and self-worth.”
The documentary, captures this passion in vivid detail. Every twist of wire and bottle capped wheel reflects a deeper story.
The project’s next phase will see the race go digital allowing players around the world to race through a virtual Philipstown and support real-world initiatives.
What began as a joyful race is now an engine for global change, proving that the simplest sparks of creativity can fuel something far extraordinary.
They showing us that hope has four wheels built from a wire frame, all reaching for a finish line that just keeps moving forward.
Want to have your mind blown away? See the trailer here.
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