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The proposed layout for the Cape Town Formula One Grand Prix circuit.
Cape Town could get a Grand Prix within two years, says Bernie Ecclestone. The Formula One's commercial supremo has been making noises for more than a decade about once more running a GP in Africa - with Cape Town as the venue of choice.
The last South African Grand Prix was run at Kyalami in 1993, and was won by Alain Prost.
Now he says negotiations are in the final stages, with a deal just weeks away from being signed.
The first proposal, in 2005, was for a purpose-built Herman Tilke circuit on the Cape Flats, next door to Cape Town international airport (which would solve a lot of logistical problems), but that fell through when it became obvious security would be an ongoing problem.
Then local motorsport promoters looked at the example set by Durban, which ran a series of successful A1 GP meetings on a temporary street circuit, and proposed a straightforward but very scenic layout around the Waterfont and Mouille Point areas.
This is not pie in the sky; the Western Province Motor Club staged a very successful meeting around what was then the Green Point Common in the late 1970s, so it could be done.
This is apparently the deal that Ecclestone is “weeks away from signing."
In an interview with Journalist Jean smyth of Eyewitness News on Tuesday he said: "I'm hoping we can make a decision as soon as our lawyers have a good look at them... within the next couple of weeks.
“It'll be good to be back in South Africa. We were very happy when it was here in the past.”
Motorsport SA has confirmed that a Cape Town consortium has approached it with a view to running a Grand Prix but that such an event would first need to be “inscribed in the FIA calendar by the MSA”.
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Avnil Dalgleish, wrote
It would be great and just what we need to boost the sports interest again and the revenue. Mark Anderson my very close friend would also agree and be the first in line for a ticket. keep up the good work, we are behind you all the way
deezfreeze, wrote
Melbourne taxpayers host this GP event every year at a cost of 50 million dollars to the taxpayer. This event does not come cheap, the powers that be have to lay out a 30 million dollar fee to Eccelstone , he can show the soccer mafia a trick or two , this is all pie in the sky, but then anything is possible in SA.
EWN fan, wrote
Poor form! This story was an Eyewitness News exclusive. Quotes included. you've just added bits and bobs knowing other sites quote your stories. Where is the credit to the journo? Poor form!
TEENS, wrote
Great !!!!! Go for it CT time for a real scream in Cape Town - !!! Love the Stadium portion. Howz about sticking an "indoor" go-kart track in there so long? COuld be great fun going "indy 500" go-kart style :)
Terence, wrote
Firstly congratulations, .... but we have a race track at Kyalami , which is already built and is up to international standards , does it not make sense rather to use that than wasting more money again(the white elephant soccer stadiums)
Anonymous, wrote
bring F1 to Cape town, will be awesome seeing those cape flats parking gaurds with yellow vests pit a farrari.. then ask for a R2.. we do it cape town style
Anonymous, wrote
Well Well done Cape Town F1 GP Bid Company! To the haters, get lost you bunch of backward thinking winers! Why don't you guys get a life and help to promote Cape Town, instead of posting negative comments. We had the Soccer world cup that was a huge success and now Cape Town is getting a GP! I am very proud of our city and proud that we can host a GP over here! Gonna be a massive event!
Dee , wrote
I can't wait!!! Good luck Cape Town, may you receive the financial support from business - it will be worth it!
Dee , wrote
I can't wait!!! Good luck Cape Town, may you receive the financial support from business - it will be worth it!
Anonymous, wrote
Bert, wrote
Well done Cape Town F1 GP Bid Co at last someone has found a use for that wonderful stadium cant imagine what the sound will be like in the stadium!!!!! the accoustics were bad enough with Niel Diamond with F! it will be unbearable( earplug sellers will have a field day.
Anonymous, wrote
Honostly it's F1 and a street race in one of the worlds most idealic tourist destinations. I agree with Mike GET EAR MUFFS! if its such a problem i recommend going to Durban for the weekend.
BnQE, wrote
Great Looking Track - must agree, love the stadium section - great for spectators ... Go for it SA it will certainly boost your tourism in the Cape ... @Racer, @Pieter and @Mahmood - BOOORINGGG ...
Mahmood, wrote
We just don't learn, do we!? Durban has hosted the only street race in A1 for 3 years. All the promises were just lies, rhetoric. The only legacy we've seen is un-restored race area (in violation of EIA regulations). Even in terms of Cape Town's Noise Abatement laws, this event cannot possibly be entertained. (Mike, the so-called City Manager, very curtly said we should wear ear-muffs. But, as you know, noise enters the body and organs through the skin most times. Yes, we just get lip, not before-the-fact respect of the Law.)
Shukri, wrote
Robert, wrote
The money we spend on the track will come back in tourism. Can't wait to hear those engines!!!
dan, wrote
Racer, wrote
What a waste. All that money to setup the circut, then clear it away could be spent on building a proper racing venue
Dreamer, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
Pieter, beautiful scenery apart from anything else, Cape Town is significantly more efficient and effective a city than any in Gauteng.
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