July 25, 2007
By JoNews Reporter
THE ING Renault F1 Roadshow – which will turn the streets of Sandton into a local Monaco – could be the start of bigger things.
"IT has long been the dream of the City council and big business in Johannesburg to stage another Formula 1 Grand Prix, and to become a permanent venue on the Formula 1 calendar," says Spencer Pillai, the general manager of the Johannesburg Tourism Company's convention bureau.
"We now have a good leverage mechanism to open the doors to the top echelons of motor racing, place Johannesburg on the Formula 1 map, and make the dream of a Johannesburg Grand Prix come true."
The ING Renault Fl team will hold spectacular motor racing demonstrations in the streets of Sandton this weekend, with the main event, the ING Formula 1 race on Sunday, 29 July at 4pm. The action starts on Fredman Drive at 10am. Several roads will be closed, including sections of West Street between Rivonia Road and Fredman Drive, Fredman Drive between West Street and Rivonia Road, and two lanes of Rivonia Road.
Pillai believes that the roadshow will enhance Johannesburg's status as a prime business and leisure tourism destination in South Africa.
"It is significant that Johannesburg has been chosen not only to be the first city in Africa to stage the roadshow, but also the first outside Eurasia."
Millions of spectators
The ING Renault F1 Roadshow, launched in 2003, has been seen by 1,5 million people in major cities in Europe, Russia, Japan and now South Africa.
Acting on behalf of the City council, the Johannesburg Tourism Company will facilitate the infrastructure Renault needs for its weekend showcase, including location and layout of the circuit, street closures, the position of spectators and the availability of emergency services.
Pillai says a special event such as the ING Renault F1 Roadshow underlines Jozi's status as the business capital of South Africa and as a prime destination for international business tourism.
Now in its fourth year, there will be a street parade, a 20-lap Cycle Lab Sprint Challenge, motor-racing demonstrations and entertainment - including drummers, a variety of dancers, rickshaws and acrobatics.
Over at Nelson Mandela Square, a Formula One paddock will contain Renault racing cars and other – tamer - Renault vehicles and Formula One memorabilia. Visitors will also be able to chat to Formula One racing driver Giancarlo Fisichella and test driver Nelson Piquet Junior, son of the legendary racer Nelson Piquet.
Witness the thrill
"Johannesburgers will have the opportunity to witness at close range the thrills and excitement of Formula One as Fisichella pilots Renault's F1 [car] through the streets of their home city," Pillai says.
The excitement of the Renault F1 car, driven by Giancarlo Fisichella and Nelson Piquet Junior, 29 July, in the streets of Sandton
(Photo collage: Renault Roadshow)
"Local motor racing fans will be closer to the unique magic of Formula One than they would be on a grandstand at a racing track," he adds. "They will be at the very heart of the action."
And he sees opportunity in the event. "The ING Renault F1 Roadshow is an iconic event. It's a golden opportunity for Johannesburg to demonstrate once again that it has the experience and expertise to host successfully not only mega international events such as the World Summit on Sustainable Development, but also other major sporting events."
The roadshow has created more than 80 jobs in the hospitality and related industries, Pillai adds.
The show is free to the public and children are welcome. For more information, including the detailed programme, visit the Renault F1 Roadshow website.
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