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THE A1 Grand Prix World Cup of Motorsport has inked a deal with the Gauteng provincial government to bring the races to Johannesburg's famous Kyalami race track.
THE pulsating throb of A1 Grand Prix vehicles will give Joburg an adrenaline rush next February, following the signing of a pact between the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport and the Gauteng provincial government.
This automatically grants Gauteng the hosting rights of this three-day event, which is scheduled for Joburg's Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit from 20 to 22 February 2009.
The announcement was made at a press briefing at Melrose Arch, in Melrose, northern Joburg, on Monday, 21 July. It was attended by Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa and the MEC for finance and economic affairs, Paul Mashatile, who represented the province; and the A1GP chief executive officer, Pete da Silva, as well as business magnate and A1 Team RSA Seat Holder, Tokyo Sexwale, who stood in for the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport.
Signing the pact has ushered in what has been called a "new era" by the province, which will bring significant economic, social and tourism benefits for Gauteng - and hence Johannesburg - and the A1GP.
The A1GP Gauteng is expected to be a catalyst for an assortment of jobs in the motorsport industry. It is hoped that it will extensively stimulate investment in the province and benefit the hospitality industry.
With the race broadcast around the world, the audience is expected to reach 8 million people. Shilowa noted that this would boost the province's international exposure considerably. "It will add more impetus to Gauteng's efforts to position itself as the home of competitive sport."
Tourist attraction
It would also help to position Gauteng as a preferred tourist destination and would push the province closer to its strategic objective of increasing Gauteng's share of the tourism market to more than 50 percent of all international arrivals, Shilowa highlighted.
"A1GP signals the beginning of the development of motorsport as one of the areas with massive potential to boost economic growth in Gauteng," said Mashatile. "Our association with A1GP is also in line with our approach to supporting the automotive sector as one of the critical pillars of the provincial economy."
The A1 Grand Prix World Cup of Motorsport brings the exhilaration of motorsport to billions of petrol heads around the globe. Unlike the much-loved F1, the A1GP pits nations rather than teams against each other. It requires more of a team effort, and ultimately there are three winners - the individual driver, the team and the nation.
It takes place over three days and brings all the excitement of motorsport to fans, while giving them an opportunity to interact with their countries' drivers.
"The series is going from strength to strength, not only commercially, but also because of the fiercely competitive on-track action," noted Da Silva.
After having toured the world, Da Silva is thrilled it will finally be hosted in Gauteng. "Gauteng and [Joburg are] the economic powerhouses of the country and also the home of competitive sports, now including A1GP. The people of South Africa and more especially Gauteng can look forward to an event like no other," he said, adding that the action on the tracks would be a feast for the senses.
Country competition
During the A1GP, 22 drivers from different countries - representing 80 percent of the world population - take to the tracks to contest on an equalised footing of finance and technology, making the success of the race entirely dependent on the driver's valour and steering skills. The most challenging element is that the driver has to combine his wit with that of the team to create a performance advantage and a winning modus operandi.
Vehicles used in the A1GP are mechanically identical, pitted with many technical restrictions that limit their performance, reduce their running costs, and prevent the possibility of any team gaining an advantage through enhanced equipment.
It was started by Dubai's Sheikh Maktoum in 2004. It then received the backing and endorsement of the Federation Internationale de L'Automobile.
Sexwale noted that the new season of A1GP approached with new and exciting developments.
The A1GP weekend race comprises two main races - a sprint that starts at 11am on Sunday morning for a maximum of 19 minutes plus one lap, and a features race with a maximum of 69 minutes plus one lap. The features race runs from 3pm until 4.10pm, and points are awarded to the top 10 finishers.
"The series is characterised by fast cars, high octane action and beautiful people, all of which also characterise the province of Gauteng," Sexwale noted, adding that he was proud of the A1 Team RSA, which finished in fifth place in the last season of A1GP, which was held in Durban.
"I know that the team is preparing to make the nation proud, not only in the series as a whole, but also when the race comes to our shores in February," he concluded.
The three-day A1 Grand Prix Gauteng takes place at Kyalami from Friday, 20 to Sunday, 22 February 2009. For more information, telephone Thabo Masebe on 011 355 6878 or 082 410 8087, or email
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