All Stations Go For A1 Grand Prix Durban Street Race

All Stations Go For A1 Grand Prix Durban Street Race

20/01/2006 - With less than a fortnight remaining, it’s ‘all systems go’ for the South African round of the inaugural A1 Grand Prix of Nations series which will be held on a new street circuit along the ocean front at Durban, KwaZulu Natal on Sunday week.

“While the seventh round of the A1 Grand Prix series that was to have taken place in Indonesia on January 13 to 15 has been postponed to allow a suitable mourning period for the late Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al Maktoum, the running of South Africa’s round on a street circuit in Durban on January 27 to 29 remains very much on track,” assured Dana Cooper, Chief Executive Officer of A1 Team South Africa.

“Although we started construction of the circuit only at the beginning of December, with roadworks and erection of the first temporary grandstands, great progress has been made and all of Durban and the province of KwaZulu Natal are looking forward to the honour of hosting the South African leg of this exciting motorsport ‘World Cup of Nations’, and the only street race in the 12-round series,” said Cooper.

“Despite the very short time frame, we’re making excellent progress,” continued Cooper. “It’s a big team effort and everyone is pulling very well together.”

“We have had most encouraging ticket sales so far, with a record single day’s sales on Tuesday, January 3, the first day back at work for many holidaymakers. To date, there have been a total of more than 15,000 ticket sales.” There is grandstand seating for 22,000 and only a shortage of suitable space is limiting the number of temporary grandstand seats being put up.

The Mayor of eThikwini (Durban), councillor Obed Mlaba, said that the city was proud to be hosting the South African round of the series and the series’ only street race. “We want to showcase this city – its culture, its history and its people – to the rest of the world. It’s a great opportunity for us to compete with the other great cities of South Africa for the attention of the outside world.” Mayor Mlaba thanked the provincial leadership under Premier Sibusiso Ndebele as well as the central government for their support and encouragement in KwaZulu Natal and eThikwini acquiring the right to stage the South African round of the A1 Grand Prix of Nations for the next three years.

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