Top Gear Festival Durban is just 10 short days away, promising a weekend of motoring festivities unrivalled in Africa, some may even say…the world. Those lucky enough to have tickets will be treated to a packed schedule featuring international motoring entertainment with Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond along with two-time Formula 1 Champion Mika Häkkinenand Triple Formula 1TM World Champions – Infiniti Red Bull Racing.
Not only will the record-breaking RB7 Formula 1TM car be seen out on the street circuit but it will make a special appearance in the Stadium Show where it will be driven by none other than Top Gear’s mystery racing driver, The Stig. Along with these international highlights, in celebration of both Youth Day and Father’s Day on the 16th of June, the festival will also be focusing on some incredible South African content and home grown talent across the weekend.
Local favourites Sasha Martinengo and Gugu Zulu will be hosting all the action out on Durban’s longest ever street circuit where the Red Bull Toyota Dakar car, driven by SA’s very own Giniel de Villiers, and Super 15 Rugby Hot Rods Grudge Match are just two of the SA highlights fans can look forward to. While de Villiers takes on a special individual rally stage in a point to point timed rally event the Hot Rods Grudge Match combines two of South Africa’s greatest loves, motoring and rugby. This inaugural challenge will see eight hot rods race five laps trying to outdo each other and their Australian and New Zealand counterparts as they race to predict who will win this year’s Super 15 Rugby Hot Rod Challenge.
Those who enjoy more conventional motorsport will be vying to get the best spot for South Africa’s fifth round of the 2013 Bridgestone Production Car National Championship. The battle for supremacy amongst the top production car brands like BMW, Audi, Ford, Renault, VW, Mini and Chevrolet has already left a big impression at circuits around the country and the momentum promises to continue as they take on Top Gear Festival’sstreet circuit. The newly added hairpin corner and chicane will help to make this one of the most challenging tracks the Bridgestone Production Car circus will visit this year. Top South African drivers like Ettiene van der Linde, Johan Fourie, Melvill Priest and Gennaro Bonafede in Class A and Graeme Nathan, Gavin Cronje, Gary Formato and Michael van Rooyen in Class T, will have their talents tested to the limit.
Other South African gems out on track will include a display by the Franschhoek Motor Museum celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the Le Mans 24 Hours with an impressive procession of 14 iconic race cars spanning from the 1930’s to present day. And lighting up the skies will be former Red Bull Air Race competitor and famed display pilot, Glen Dell, who’ll be stunning spectators as he twists and turns through the air, showcasing his aerobatic flying. The eight-time South African and former Advanced World Aerobatic Champion, Glen will demonstrate his incredible skills in a number of aerial displays throughout the weekend.
Back by popular demand in The Action Zone, the professionals from the Shell Stunt School and XS Promotions Stunt Team will be demonstratingdaredevil handbrake turns, drag racing, rallying, extreme off-roading, not forgetting Durban’s favourite – high speed drifting.
This adrenaline fuelled Zone will also feature the Red Bull X-Fighters and their FMX champion rider Nick de Wet. Currently enjoying his biggest year to date he’ll be demonstrating just how his FMX magic has outdone some of the world’s elite. Plus favourite drifting DJ, Reddy D – four times winner of the SADMC Championships and currently rated as one of the top 30 Hip-Hop DJ’s in the world, will be performing throughout each day.
Even the static display of cars in the Motoring Pavilions will set petrolheads’ hearts pounding. Taking centre stage will be the public unveiling of the Jaguar F-Type; the all-new Mercedes-Benz A-Class; the Peugeot 208 GTI and Audi RS5 Cabriolet and in total they’ll be over 100 car manufacturers and exhibitors showcasing leading brands and merchandise stretching across the Festival site.
