The Renault Formula One team is back in Johannesburg this weekend, once again racing around the streets of Sandton and filling the air with the smell of petrol.

On the streets of Sandton, a driving demonstration from last year's event

THE GPG/ING Renault F1 Roadshow is yet again bringing the throb of Formula One, the screeching of tyres and the piercing whine of powerful engines to the streets of Sandton.

Racing around the Fredman Drive and West Street circuit on Sunday, 27 July, the sleek cars will mostly likely leave petrol heads and motor-sport aficionados of all shapes and sizes thrilled by the spectacle.

It is the second time the Renault roadshow is coming to Sandton, hosted by the Gauteng provincial government and the Renault Formula 1 Team. The roar of F1 engines will first be heard at 10.30am - and will carry on until the adrenalin rush can't handle the throb anymore; that's in the late afternoon.

Drivers taking part this year include the ING Renault F1 Team driver, Nelsinho Piquet Junior, behind the wheel of the R27 vehicle; and Lucas Di Grassi, the team's third driver. With their machines propelled by authoritative V8 engines, Piquet and Di Grassi are expected to reach top speeds of 300 kilometres an hour.

"We are delighted to be returning to the streets of Sandton," notes Jason Campbell, the marketing and partner acquisitions manager of the ING Renault F1 Team. "Renault's philosophy has always been to broaden the sport's appeal to the widest possible audience by taking fans closer to the heart of the action and also to the people involved."

Capacity crowd
A capacity crowd of more than 80 000 people turned out to watch last year's race, Campbell says; and even more people are expected this year.

An event for the petrol heads and motor-sport aficiondados

The event forms part of a long-term strategic partnership between the provincial government and the ING Renault F1 Team that aims to help to consolidate Gauteng's position as a home of competitive sport. It is envisaged that it will yield positive spin-offs for the province's economy, and create sustainable jobs. It will also showcase Gauteng as an investment and tourism destination.

"Gauteng's involvement in this partnership is informed by our desire to stimulate the competitive sports sector of the provincial economy, which we believe has enormous potential to contribute towards increased tourism, job creation and higher economic growth," notes Paul Mashatile, the MEC of finance and economic development.

He is optimistic that the partnership will bring Gauteng closer to achieving its aim to raise its share of the tourism market to 55 percent of international arrivals. It will also strengthen efforts aimed at increasing the amount of time and money tourists spend in Gauteng and the attractions of the province.

"We believe it will create interest in motor sport within the youth sector, in particular those from previously disadvantaged communities," Mashatile adds.

Gauteng's association with motor racing is in line with its support of the automotive industry as one of its many job-creating sectors, he adds.

His sentiments are echoed by Barbara Creecy, the MEC for sports, arts culture and recreation. "We want to brand and promote Gauteng as the preferred destination for competitive sport and position the province as the top driver of the South African creative economy."

Safety
The ING Renault F1 Roadshow was launched in 2003, and has since been seen by over two million people worldwide. During the roadshow, Renault F1 vehicles race through city streets - the streets of Sandton in Joburg's case. "The cars will show their potential, in keeping with the characteristics of the route and safety requirements," reads the Gauteng ING Renault F1 Roadshow website.

Because safety is always a priority, the partners will "assure the best possible safety conditions for the public and for the participants", it adds. For this reason, several streets will be closed to traffic on the day, including sections of West Street, Maude Street, Gwen Street, Fredman Drive, Alice Lane and Bute Street.

In addition to the motor spectacle, a lap around the track with Piquet in a Formula 1 Renault two-seater vehicle and a brand-new Mégane Renault Sport R26 is up for grabs in a competition running concurrently with the show. To enter, send the word "Gauteng" by SMS to 31270. The competition closes on Saturday, 26 July and the draw will be held at the main event, on Sunday, 27 July.

The ING Renault F1 Sandton Roadshow is free, however, there are limited grandstand seats available at Computicket, on 083 915 8000 or 011 340 8000, or through the Computicket website. Prices range from R250 to R300 each.

For more information telephone Felleng Kekana on 011 355 8625 or fax 011 355 8444 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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