South African motorsport is mourning the death of veteran racing driver Marcel Angel, who died following a serious crash during the National Extreme Festival at Killarney International Raceway in Cape Town on Saturday, 19 September.
Marcel, 62, was competing in the Extreme SuperCars category when the incident happened during the opening Supercar race of the day. Motorsport South Africa confirmed his death, while race organisers cancelled the remainder of the day’s programme.
What happened at Killarney
The crash occurred towards the end of the back straight during Race 1 of the Extreme SuperCars Driven by Dunlop.
Medical personnel and race officials responded immediately, but Marcel died from his injuries.
The precise circumstances that led to the crash have not been fully disclosed by Motorsport South Africa or the race organisers.
The Extreme Festival organisers said: “It is with profound sadness that we confirm the passing of Marcel Angel, following an incident during Race 1 of the Extreme SuperCars Driven by Dunlop at Killarney International Raceway today.”
The organisers described Marcel as a valued member of the motorsport community and said his death would be deeply felt by those who knew and competed alongside him.
A career spanning decades
Marcel was much more than a competitor on the racing circuit. He was a prominent figure in South African motorsport and the founder of Cape Town-based vehicle dealership Autohaus Angel, which was established in 1988.
According to the company, his racing career stretched across several motorsport disciplines. He won multiple South African championships and earned South African colours during a career that made the Angel name well known in local racing.
Autohaus Angel described him as a racing champion, businessman, mentor, husband, father and grandfather.
His involvement in motorsport also extended beyond his own driving career. Marcel was among the drivers involved in the development of the V8 Masters series after the death of race-car engineer and constructor Owen Ashley in 2010.
He was still winning races
Marcel remained an active and competitive driver into his 60s.
Just weeks before his death, he claimed overall victory at Killarney.
On 22 August, he drove the #51 Autohaus Angel Ferrari 488 GT3 to victory in the Sport and GT category at the circuit, finishing ahead of Wayne Hoffman in a Porsche 992 GT3 Cup and Divan Wentzel in a Porsche GT3 Cup.
His death therefore came at a circuit where he had continued to compete at the front of the field only weeks earlier.
Tributes from the motorsport community
Motorsport South Africa expressed its condolences to Marcel’s family, friends and fellow competitors.
“Marcel was competing in the Extreme SuperCars category,” the governing body said.
“Motorsport South Africa extends its sincere condolences to Marcel’s family, friends, fellow competitors and everyone who knew him.”
The organisation added: “Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Killarney International Raceway also paid tribute to the experienced racer and extended its condolences to his wife, Mica, his family and friends.
The remainder of the Extreme Festival was cancelled following the fatal incident, with organisers asking that the family’s privacy be respected.
Marcel’s death marks the loss of one of the experienced figures in South African circuit racing, ending a decades-long connection with the sport he continued to compete in at the highest level.
