To win the #walkerwager, Zulu would have to achieve a singular feat: successfully train businessman and international public speaker Vusi Thembekwayo (a racing enthusiast with no experience) in a limited amount of time, to set a lap time at Kyalami Race Track within five seconds of Häkkinen’s best Kyalami track time, in a car of Zulu’s choice. And if his gamble comes right, Zulu will be afforded the chance to drive one of Häkkinen’s favourite cars of all time, the Mercedes 300SL Roadster. 

Thembekwayo will be taking on the challenge at Kyalami Race Course in April. Häkkinen and Thembekwayo will each be racing three sets of timed laps around the track, starting with Häkkinen setting the time that Thembekwayo has to chase.

Johnnie Walker’s clever campaign saw Zulu wager Häkkinen at a private meeting at Kyalami in Johannesburg this week. Häkkinen responded, mildly amused, with these words: “Ok, firstly, it will take a lot for a novice to set a good time around Kyalami, and secondly, to then expect him to be within 5 seconds of my best time, well, that I’ve got to see … so, yes, you’re on …” Thembekwayo stepped up to meet Häkkinen before the trio sealed the deal with a Gentleman’s handshake.

Historic link


Häkkinen and Zulu have some history. They met at a car festival in Durban in 2013, when the retired Finnish racing legend swept into the Moses Mabida Street Race Course in a classic Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster, it was at this event that the car caught Zulu’s eye as one he wished to drive one day.


Recently hearing that Häkkinen would be in South Africa, to discuss and
spread the responsible drinking message through Johnnie Walker’s global campaign, ‘Join the Pact,’ Zulu posted footage from their 2013 meeting on Facebook and reminisced about the car. The post caught Johnnie Walker’s eye – setting in motion a series of events that led to the wager involving Thembekwayo.  

The campaign aim


“The #walkerwager campaign ultimately celebrates personal progression, achievement and the attainment of true rarity and success through hard work and commitment.  We wish Zulu and Thembekwayo the best of luck with this wager and we hope they have great fun with this once in a lifetime experience. We know that their hard work will pay dividends in the end,” said Johnnie Walker South Africa’s Whisky Portfolio Manager, Zumi Njongwe.


For more information, follow Johnnie Walker on Twitter.