Most 11-year-olds spend their weekends playing video games or riding their bikes. Connor February does all of that too – but he also spends his time behind the wheel of a VQ-powered Nissan Skyline, leaving crowds in awe with his spinning skills.
The young Cape Town spinner recently experienced a moment he’ll never forget when he performed at the Gas Motorshow in Durban in front of more than 10,000 spectators. For Connor, it wasn’t just another day behind the wheel – it was his very first spinning event, and he handled it with a confidence that had people talking long after the tyres stopped smoking.
It’s hard to believe that Connor has only been spinning for eight months. Like many children, Connor enjoys the simple things in life. When he’s not at school or practising, you’ll most likely find him playing Fortnite with his friends online or riding his bicycle and scooter. He’s a fun-loving youngster who still enjoys being a kid, even though he’s already becoming a familiar face in South Africa’s spinning community.
Motorsport has always been part of Connor’s life. His father, Shaun February, is one of the country’s respected spinners and drifters, so growing up around high-performance cars and tyre smoke was almost inevitable.”I watched videos of my dad competing when I was younger,” Connor says. “He’s always been my inspiration and the reason I wanted to start spinning.”
Connor climbed into the driver’s seat for the first time when he was 10 years old, but learning to spin wasn’t as simple as turning the steering wheel and putting his foot down.”My dad made me start with the basics,” he explains. “I had to learn how to drive the car properly first – how to use the clutch, the brakes and even just how to start the car.” Those early lessons taught him that there are no shortcuts to success. Hours of practice, patience and determination have all played a part in helping him develop the skills that are now turning heads wherever he performs.
Connor trains after school through the SPIN Training School, where experienced instructors teach young drivers in a controlled and safe environment. He also practises at The Hills as part of the SPINhunters development programme, where the focus is not only on building talent but also on promoting responsible driving and creating opportunities for the next generation of spinners.
Ask Connor what he enjoys most about spinning, and his answer isn’t just about the cars.”The feeling the car gives me makes me happy, nervous and excited,” he says “But my favourite part is all the friends I’ve made. After we’re done spinning, we all get to play together.”
That sense of community is something Connor clearly values, and it’s one of the reasons spinning continues to attract young people who share a love for the sport. Although performing in Durban was undoubtedly his proudest moment so far, Connor knows there’s still a long road ahead. His biggest priority is doing well at school, while continuing to chase his dream of becoming a professional spinner and drifter. His maturity is perhaps most evident in the advice he offers other youngsters who dream of following the same path.”Don’t give up when times get tough. Work hard, put in the time and always be positive no matter what negativity is around you .”
For someone so young, Connor February already understands that success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes commitment, discipline and plenty of practice. With his father’s guidance, a supportive spinning community behind him and an incredible amount of natural talent, he’s already proving that age is just a number.
If his debut in Durban is anything to go by, this young Cape Town spinner has an exciting future ahead of him. One thing is certain – the name Connor February is one we’re going to be hearing a lot more of in the years to come.