Group seeks state support for South African GP

 Group seeks state support for South African GP
A1GP Babes from South Africa

Plans are afoot for a grand prix in South Africa.

On the day of the world cup final in Johannesburg, Bernie Ecclestone said at Silverstone last Sunday that he hopes South Africa will be on his sport's calendar "in about three years time".

The F1 chief executive hinted at a race in Cape Town.

In France's Auto Hebdo this week, it emerged that a consortium has presented to president Jacob Zuma a request for EUR7.5 million in assistance to build a circuit, and 5m per year for an eight-year F1 promotion contract.

George Nyabadza, boss of Motorsport South Africa (MSA), said one condition of his support for F1's return to the country would be the involvement of his countrymen.

"F1 enjoys very little support in countries where there is no representation," he is quoted by supersport.com.

Nyabadza also said money would have to be generated for motor sport development for females and black youth, insisting that without this "there would be no legacy for the sport".

And managing director Francois Pretorius said the MSA would only support a grand prix bid if it benefited grassroots motor sport in South Africa.

Source: GMM

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 Mikeado Mikeado
What's wrong with the Kyalami Circuit? Can't they renovate that (if needed) instead of building a whole new one? It just seems awfully wasteful.
July 16, 2010 12:46 pm
 911fnatic 911fnatic
Its not about the track its about the location. There's also Phakisa in Welkom that hosts the MotoGP annually, its a world class track. But it was built in the dullest place in the countryside.
July 18, 2010 12:24 pm
 Dixie Dixie
Cape Town while very scenic does not have the population that Johannesburg/Gauteng has and the utilization of a circuit would be less. However the Killarney circuit is getting a bit long in the tooth so the Cape could do with a boost. How about Durban? closer to Johannesburg and does not have a track at all and amazing tapogrophy. Keep Tilke at bay.
July 19, 2010 1:26 am