Brand South Africa will join Alpha Prime Racing for a two-day Atlanta NASCAR weekend program that brings together international business networking, South African culture, food, tourism, trade, and national motorsports exposure.
The program begins Friday, July 10, with Accelerating to Africa: The Fast Lane to the Future of Global Commerce, a business and networking event hosted by Brand South Africa and Global Atlanta from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Constellations in downtown Atlanta. The event will connect Atlanta-area business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, media contacts, community partners, and invited guests with South African commerce, travel, food, wine, and cultural opportunities.
On Saturday, July 11, the program shifts to EchoPark Speedway, formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway, where NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series rookie Lavar Scott will drive the No. 45 Brand South Africa Chevrolet for Alpha Prime Racing in the Focused Health 250. The weekend marks the first time the Brand South Africa car has competed with Alpha Prime Racing while continuing a three-year presence for a South Africa-themed NASCAR program at Atlanta Motor Speedway / EchoPark Speedway.
Friday Global Atlanta Event: Accelerating to Africa
The weekend opens Friday with Accelerating to Africa: The Fast Lane to the Future of Global Commerce, a business and networking event hosted by Brand South Africa and Global Atlanta.
The event will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Constellations, located at 135 Auburn Avenue in downtown Atlanta. Tickets are $20, with registration available through Global Atlanta (learn more here).
Designed as the business and networking lead-in to Saturday’s NASCAR race, the event will bring together Atlanta-area business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, media contacts, community partners, and others interested in South African commerce, tourism, food, wine, culture, and brand opportunities.
Lavar Scott, driver of the No. 45 Brand South Africa Chevrolet, and Jusan Hamilton, President of Alpha Prime Racing, are scheduled to attend the Friday event, giving guests an opportunity to connect directly with the NASCAR team behind Saturday’s race program.
The program will include networking, a panel discussion on Africa/Atlanta business and cultural connections, a sponsor and product showcase, South African wine tasting with Fumana Wines, a coffee ceremony, hors d’oeuvres, and additional networking opportunities.
Featured brands and partners scheduled to be part of the Friday showcase include Brand South Africa, Brooklyn Biltong, Southwestern Talent, Oryx Desert Salt, Fumana Wines, and the South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA (SACCUSA), which is headquartered in Atlanta.
Featured panelists are scheduled to include Tami McQueen, Chief Marketing Officer, BIP Capital, and Roxane Francis, Digital Specialist, Brand South Africa.
Brand South Africa on the No. 45 Chevrolet
On Saturday, Scott will drive the No. 45 Brand South Africa Chevrolet for Alpha Prime Racing in the Focused Health 250 at EchoPark Speedway. The weekend marks the first time the Brand South Africa car has competed with Alpha Prime Racing, while continuing a three-year presence for a South Africa-themed NASCAR program at EchoPark Speedway.
The car will feature Brand South Africa, Brooklyn Biltong, Southwestern Talent, and additional supporting partners with South African connections. The South African Chamber of Commerce will also be featured on the car as part of the broader Atlanta program.
Lavar Scott Represents the Program
Lavar Scott is a rookie in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, competing for Alpha Prime Racing. Scott has built his career through NASCAR’s development ladder and continues to grow his national profile through opportunities with Alpha Prime Racing and partner-driven race programs.
Brooklyn Biltong Brings South African Food Culture to NASCAR
Brooklyn Biltong will use the Atlanta weekend to introduce NASCAR fans and Atlanta food audiences to biltong, a traditional South African dried, cured meat snack. Unlike many jerky-style products, biltong is typically air-dried, seasoned with vinegar and spices, and sliced into tender pieces, giving it a distinct South African flavor and texture.
Brooklyn Biltong is available now at Target, giving the brand a national retail platform as it introduces South African food culture to new audiences across the United States.
As part of its race-week program, Brooklyn Biltong will host two Atlanta-area food influencers, The Food Stalker and Atlanta Food Guy, at EchoPark Speedway. The two creators collectively reach approximately 1.5 million followers across multiple social media platforms and will experience NASCAR for the first time.
Quotes
“Atlanta is an important market for Brand South Africa’s NASCAR program, and we are excited to partner with Alpha Prime Racing and Lavar Scott,” said Jimmy Ranamane, General Manager of Global Markets at Brand South Africa. “This weekend gives us the opportunity to connect South Africa’s business, culture, tourism, food, and trade story with Atlanta’s international business community and NASCAR’s national audience.”
“Brand South Africa is the kind of partnership that shows how NASCAR can be used for more than race-day visibility,” said Jusan Hamilton, President of Alpha Prime Racing. “This program brings together international business, culture, food, travel and motorsports in a way that creates meaningful business relationships while introducing new fans and partners to NASCAR. We are proud to have Lavar Scott and Alpha Prime Racing as a part of this program.”
“This is a special weekend for our team and for the partners involved,” said Scott. “It is an honor to represent Brand South Africa and the companies connected to this program. Atlanta is an exciting place to race, and I’m looking forward to driving the No. 45 Brand South Africa Chevrolet at EchoPark Speedway.”
— Alpha Prime Racing —