November 11, 2005
By Sipho Maduna
SCREECHING tyres and roaring engines set the scene in Sandton a several Formula 1 cars ripped around the city track on Thursday - as a preview of this weekend's inaugural Altech Grand Prix Masters.
Businesses came to a standstill as thousands of people leaned out of windows or crammed on to pavements to get a better view of the sleek high-powered machines.
Derek Warwick prepares for the race
First were the warm-up demonstrations on the city circuit from West Street on to Rivonia Road, left on to Fredman Drive and back on West Street. The two-seater racers followed before it was the turn of the elite - the Formula 1s.
For two hours, from noon to 2pm, the crowd was thrilled by the spectacle. Behind the wheel of the two-seater was Johnny Herbert, one-time teammate of Michael Schumacher, while Derek Warwick took the wheel of the Formula 1 car.
Several of the Grand Prix Masters, and drivers from the Minardi F1x2, the Harley Davidson, Ferrari and Lamborghini teams attended.
The Sandton race was a preview to the Altech Grand Prix Masters on at Kyalami this weekend.
"We will witness the magic of Formula 1 racing this weekend," said Craig Venter, Altech's chief executive officer. Profits from the event will be donated to the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and Unite Against Hunger.
All the drivers participating in the inaugural Grand Prix Masters series attended the launch: Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Emerson Fittipaldi, Alan Jones, Riccardo Patrese, Rene Arnoux, Stefan Johansson, Andrea de Cesaris, Jan Lammers, Christian Danner, Hans-Joachim Stuck, Patric Tambay, and Warwick.
Murray "The Voice" Walker kept everyone entertained as he shared memories from his career commentating on the Formula 1 races over the years.
Walker retired from the Grand Prix commentary box in 2001 but returned this year for the Grand Prix Masters series. "The series is about people and characters, including some of the most famous names ever to grace a motor racing circuit. I am glad to be back," Walker said in an interview with Altech magazine.
The Kyalami fest is on from 11 to 13 November. Gates open from 6am to 6pm.
The Kyalami circuit has been upgraded and, unusually, the racers will race anticlockwise.
"You can expect the most exciting race," said former Formula 1 champion Mansell.
Permission to use web site material
Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as:
- Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website
(www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency
(www.joburg.org.za)";
- If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original
article on this website;
- The name of the article's author is acknowledged;
-
The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill
in this brief online form).
Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 |
