TOP GEAR HEADED FOR KHAYALAMI IN MARCH

Top Gear Festival powered by BP Ultimate, is making its debut at the Khayalami Grand Prix Circuit from 17th – 20th March 2011 with an incredible line-up of cars and driving talent.  Hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, featuring the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 Team and South Africa’s very own Formula 1 Champion, Jody
Scheckter, as well as a host of other guest drivers, presenters and celebrities, the March event promises to be the largest motoring festival South Africa has ever seen.  Jeremy Clarkson said of the new Festival; ‘It should be…..just brilliant!

The 2011 event offers a more interactive experience for the visitor, expanding it from a ‘theatre show’ to a motoring festival and resulting in its move to Khayalami which provides the necessary infrastructure required to host this impressive event. As well as The Top Gear Stunt Show, featuring all three presenters, visitors will also enjoy a huge variety of other exciting outdoor features situated around the Khayalami track. Drag racing, power testing and time trials will take place at ‘The Strip’ whilst drifting, rallying and off-roading will be key activities taking place at ‘The Bowl’. Throughout the day there will be a full timetable of special appearances by the talent as they participate and commentate on a number of special Top Gear challenges. Further features will include the BP Stunt School, Freestyle Motocross bikes, Kart Track and Motoring Pavilion.

The Red Bull Racing Formula 1 Team will be accompanied by former F1 driver, David Coulthard, who will be driving one of the teams Formula One cars throughout the weekend crowning the incredible track content already scheduled. All resulting in a fitting celebration for the renowned Khayalami Grand Prix Circuit, which celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year.

David Coulthard said of his involvement ‘I’m really looking forward to going to Johannesburg for the Top Gear Festival , tens of thousands of spectators will get the chance to see an F1 car on the race track and witness what it can do.  I don’t think a current F1 car has been to South Africa for a while so I plan to give everyone a true Red Bull experience with plenty of noise and burning rubber!  I hope to see you all there.”

Honouring South Africa’s own Formula 1 Champion, Jody Scheckter, who took the title of 1979 Formula 1 World Driver’s Champion, is also another way of celebrating the 50 years of Khayalami Grand Prix Circuit’s existence.  Jody will be bringing his collection of iconic F1 cars in addition to being honoured at a special tribute dinner on Friday 18th March.

The real challenge of announcing the impressive list of guest drivers, celebrities and presenters at Top Gear Festival 2011 is trying to decide in which order to place them as each is as important as the other, their status within the motoring world making this a must-see motoring extravaganza.  Top Gear’s tame racing driver, The Stig will be taking to the Khayalami Grand Prix Circuit, as will legendary driver Sir Stirling Moss, whose success in a variety of categories of racing placed him among the world’s elite and ensure he is often called, “the greatest driver never to win the World Championship”.

The list continues with the likes of Derek Bell, five-time winner at Le Mans, Eddie Jordan, the BBC’s F1 pundit and owner of Eddie Jordan Racing, and Nick Mason, best known as Pink Floyd’s drummer, but a renowned car collector and participant in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.   Another motoring expert, former Top Gear presenter and current co-presenter of Fifth Gear on Britain’s Channel Five network Tiff Needell will also be taking part in South Africa’s Top Gear Festival. And last but not least Sabine Schmitz, the female motor racing driver and TV personality who has also appeared in the BBC’s Top Gear television series, joins in with the fun.  In addition a select number of private owners will also be given the opportunity to join the list lining-up and driving their cars on the prestigious track.

This year’s Top Gear Festival powered by BP Ultimate is expected to attract tens of thousands of petrol-heads keen to see the world famous presenters, guest drivers, presenters and celebrities in action and take part in this true celebration of all things motoring. Visitors are encouraged to book early so as not to miss the most exciting event on this year’s entertainment and motoring calendar.  

The event offers an exciting, full day out for visitors – young and old.  Khayalami is ideally located for easy access from all around Gauteng and offers a convenient park and ride facility nearby for festival-goers.

Tickets are priced from R365 and include parking.  For more information and bookings, visit www.topgearfestival.co.za or www.computicket.com.