By Jehran Naidoo
How much power is enough power? That’s a question gone unanswered in the racing community for some time because quite frankly, enough is never enough with these oaks.
Take for example the Myburgh’s Mazda RX7.
The Japanese thought that a 2.4L power plant capable of just over 130kw was enough to please car lovers. But that was the mid 80’s. And that was the Japanese.
The Mybrugh’s had different plans for their car, which has a 383 Chevy LT1 engine that was fitted at home in Gauteng. The RX7 now runs a V8 twin turbo set-up that could only be described as sheer violence.

It’s still a 2-door coupe’ at the end of the day so you ca imagine the power to weight ratio being somewhat skewed in the favor of power. But that’s something Clinton and his father Basil Myburgh are still working on.
When we saw the car at Mkuze during KZN Motor Racing’s event in June, it looked strange right away, almost unrecognizable if you’re not looking at the front.
That is mainly because of its curvy rear end, which Basil designed to accommodate the customer suspension and 325/50 street ET tyres.

Clinton said the car handles better on the street ET’s as compared to a full racing slick, which sometimes makes the car “dance around on the top end”.
It’s also sporting a rear wing to help with downforce, justifiably though, given how easy the front lifts on take-off when the RX7 is firing on all eight.
“Because of the power its making we needed something to support the diff. It’s a Ford 9 inch reinforced diff which I did. I also designed and made the caltrak for this car. They were hand built in house.

“My dad designed the body structure. He also painted the car in our garage. So actually, nothing was sent out to do. It was all done by my father and I at home,” Clinton said.
The interior was designed to spec by Basil, and includes a range of clusters on the dashboard that offers the untrained eye as much information as a politician during a crisis.

The seats were bought and recovered for Basil’s design as well. The roll cage was also made by Basil [at home].
“It’s been through numerous stages from superchargers to where we are now which is the twin set up. We’ve been on it for about 20 years.

“I have a rough estimation of the car and it makes around 1,200 horses at the wheels which is around the 700 odd kilowatt mark, ” Clinton Myburgh said.
Am accurate reading on the dyno is unattainable given that the RX7 lights up anything from a tarmar to a test facility.
“My favorite part about the car is the way it accelerates. It’s ridiculous, like mind blowing stuff so you also needs to have your wits about you when you driving because it’s not a toy. It’s very scary,” Clinton explained.
Basil told Auto Rush he got into the racing scene to keep Clinton from racing on the streets and decided to join him on the track.

He said the project is a project that spans around 15 years and is ongoing.
“Clinton was the reason I started drag racing because he was into illegal street racing at the time and for me that was not good at all. So I ended up joining him on the track to keep him away from the streets,” Basil said.
All that power can be difficult to get down on the ground at times, but Clinton and Basil try their best holding the Twin V8 flat out down the 400m stretch.
We also got to witness Basil make a quick-thinking save at Mkuze, after the rear end kicked out after he engaged second gear during a pass. Basil quickly pulled the car over to the left side of his lane and stopped the race.
Clinton said the best time the car has down on a quarter mile is 9.8 seconds.

“Now that we have the twin turbo set up we having some traction issues so we just trying to get her to keep straight and accelerate. Before I retire from the racing scene, I’d like to run a 9.2,” Clinton added.
When he isn’t racing the RX7 or his black Ford V8 bakkie, Clinton is working on his clients V8 engines.
“I also look after some big boats.”
Auto Rush