With just over a month to go, interest is mounting for the first round of the 2004 MotoGP, which will take place at the Phakisa Freeway in Welkom between April 16-18.
Chris Grundy, the director of Racemakers — the promoter and organiser of the MotoGP on behalf of Dorna — the commercial rights’ holders of MotoGP, says the number of TV commentary crews have increased drastically from nine to fifteen this year.
”One TV crew has booked six 12-metre mobile units in the TV-compound. The host broadcaster, M-Net has also increased their office space and as a result, the TV-compound will be filled to capacity”.
Although Phakisa Freeway has already been issued with a FIM-license, the promoter is currently making some minor changes. For safety reasons the marshal posts at turn 10 (opposite the VIP hospitality suites tower) and turn 13 (hairpin), are currently being moved to outside the oval fence to increase the run-off area.
The promoters are also putting up an extra 550 metres of tyre barriers and conveyor belting to make the circuit even safer. ”Phakisa Freeway, with 30% of the track having huge run-off areas with no obstructions, will arguably be one of the safest in the world.”, says Grundy.
He said spectator tickets had been selling like hot cakes and nearly all VIP corporate hospitality tickets have been sold out. All tickets to the the VIP hospitality suites tower for Sunday’s race had already been sold out. Tickets are available at Computicket outlets as well as on www.racemakers.com. – Sapa