Veteran racing driver shot dead in Kempton Park altercation

South African racing driver Robert Wolk, 41, was shot dead in Kempton Park on Wednesday evening following an alleged minor collision, police and motorsport authorities have confirmed.

Wolk was killed at the corner of Camwood Street and Portland Drive in Esther Park. Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said officers who responded to the shooting found him with gunshot wounds; he was declared dead at the scene.

An Audi believed to be his was also found there. No arrests had been made and a murder case had been opened, with the motive still under investigation.

Faizel Patel, reporting for The Citizen, writes that Wolk's Audi had reportedly collided at low speed with a Volkswagen Jetta, and that an argument followed after he got out to assess the damage.

Footage circulating on social media appears to show Wolk pleading with the other motorist before being shot in the back as he tried to walk away; the circumstances shown in the footage have not been tested in court.

Wolk had been due to travel to Cape Town for a race this weekend. Motorsport South Africa described him as a highly respected figure whose career spanned almost three decades across karting, single-seaters, touring cars and circuit racing, saying his passing leaves a profound void in the sport and that he would be remembered for his passion, commitment and sportsmanship.

His honours included the 2013 South African Formula Volkswagen title, the 2015 Formula 1600 championship, back-to-back South African GTC titles in 2021 and 2022, and the 2024 South African Touring Cars championship. In May he had claimed his second Simola Hillclimb King of the Hill title.