Formula one stars Johnny Herbert and Marc Gene are the first of what is expected to be an impressive array of drivers to announce their participation in the Altech South African Formula One Two-Seater Grand Prix at the Kyalami circuit from August 7 to 9.
The event will be the first “double-header” formula one two-seater race in the world, and will help to raise funds for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and Unite against Hunger charities. It will see the formula one driver taking a passenger, who sits behind him, around the circuit for 12 laps at speeds close to 300kph.
Says Nelson Mandela in a statement: “Not only will this event be a landmark for South Africa, which last heard the sound of formula one engines 10 years ago, but also we will be able to support the children who benefit from the charities.”
Both Herbert and Gene were honoured to become involved in the grand prix, after a personal invitation extended last month by Mandela to formula one heroes, past and present, to participate.
Herbert is an experienced driver, who scored three grand prix victories in an illustrious formula one career that included stints with Benetton, Lotus, Sauber, Stewart and Jaguar. The Briton is also a former winner of the Le Mans 24-hour race.
Spain’s Gene is currently test and reserve driver for BMW Williams formula one, and did an impressive job standing in for the injured Ralf Schumacher during last year’s Italian Grand Prix, and most recently, at this year’s French and British rounds of the world championship.
Like many of the current stars of formula one, he started his grand prix career with Minardi.
In fact, the current Wilux Minardi Cosworth formula one team will be turning up in strength in South Africa, with last year’s race driver, Nicolas Kiesa, this year’s race driver, Gianmaria “Gimmi” Bruni, and test and reserve driver, Bas Leinders, all scheduled to appear.
In addition, reigning South African and British formula three champion and current F3000 international championship competitor, Alan van der Merwe, who proved to be very popular with the Kyalami crowd when he appeared at the Johannesburg circuit in June, will be back for more on-track action in August.
The adrenalin-charged event will feature a music spectacular and an international extreme sports competition — covering freestyle motocross, street skating, rollerblading and BMX riders. Total prize money for each discipline is R30 000, which makes the LG Xtreme Sports Show and LG XPO the most lucrative event on the African calendar.
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