Sponsored Links:
INLSA
Left to right: Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond; welcome to planet earth if you did not know that. Picture: Ziphozonke Lushaba
Last year Top Gear's festival held at the Kyalami race track came under fire with many fans complaining, through our forums and other media, about everything from the main show being too short, a lack of shelter from the rain, long park-and-ride queues, poor sign posting and so on.
STADIUM OF SPEED
We wondered whether they would return to Joburg this year and in the interim it's been agreed that the show will actually be held in Durban this June. Now there's a new debate with the official confirmation that the province will be footing a huge bill.
According to The Mercury, the show will see the three Top Gear presenters, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May (not forgetting their new Stig) entertaining crowds at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
And because we could hardly imagine their automotive blitz taking place on grass (though that might work well for the car soccer) the plan includes the construction of a temporary stunt circuit and skid pan.
RATE PAYERS FOOTING BILL
Add all the costs together, which include numerous safety measures to garner approval from Motorsport South Africa, and the price tag of hosting the event for the next three years creeps up to R31-million.
KZN's rate payers will be paying for almost half of this bill, with the balance to be covered by the province.
The DA, while having no objection to the hosting of the event, says that the approval process war flawed because the provincial government signed on the dotted line and published the construction tender before any consultation at council level.
Municipal legal services head Nokhana Moerane responded by saying that the council had (last year) resolved that the executive committee had the authority to finalise matters such as these.
HOW ABOUT A REAL TRACK?
Yet the motorheads among us will almost certainly agree most with Minority Front councillor Partick Pillay, who suggested that the city should look at investing in its own permanent race track. Seems like a no-brainer, providing it has adequate shelter…
Source: The Mercury
|
|
Cam, wrote
Durban doesn't any have race tracks, i say forget about topgear for now and rather use the cash to build a permanent racetrack which could host countless events including topgear in the future, the events would also cost a lot less to organize because things which cost a lot like all the new safety requirements would already be in place.
Red, wrote
Oh for goodness sake - grow up you lot. A load of middle-aged farts all trying to act 'blokey' and 'James Bond' with a beer gut. Sad.
G-Man, wrote
If a track was built with the money, it would generate income after the Top Gear show has gone. The money spent on all the A1 races DBN hosted could have built a nice club track (much like Zwartkops) on which the Top Gear show could have been held, DBN speed freaks could utilize for track days, advanced driving courses can be run and not to mention the teams that would visit DBN for races and hence bringing income to the city. Is it REALLY THAT hard to see why building a track is so much more viable to the city of Durban that a one off event!? Stop wasting tax payers money - give the boy-racers a legitimate, safe place to play - We have been BEGGING for a track for years!!!!!!!
Julius, wrote
Money well spent! The more we spend on exciting events like this, the less money there is for the fat cats to revamp their R60mil homes. Jeremy Clarckson FTW!
Graham, wrote
Why not create a win-win situation and revamp the IDUBE RACEWAY site. Definatly more economicaly viable than building and then dismantlig expensive structures at Moses mabida !
JoeDbn, wrote
, wrote 02:46pm on 31 January 2012 Typical Durban mentality to assume that every Indian person has hisher hands under the table Dont be such an a$%hole and turn this into a race issue - I said that he is one of the councillors and that maybe he is one who does not have his hand under the table - no mention of race or anything!
Pauldurbs, wrote
The old airport will be perfect, enough parking and enough space to design an entertaining track. Needless to say a rate cut is in order.
Anonymous, wrote
In England they use an airport runway for their race laps. Steven is 100% right in proposing the old Durban airport is used.
MPG, wrote
Fully agree with Steven, the Top Gear crowd are more than used to airport made up trck and at least they will have stunning weather in June, not the p*ss rain they are used to. Let's see if the BigWigs in Dbn see the light and save some taxpayers money!
Anonymous, wrote
After last years debacle at Kyalami I guess they were forced to find a new venue ...... I hope they do better this time because last year was a disaster...
Yusuf, wrote
Why doesnt the city utilize the unused space where the old drive in used to be for motoring events, the land is massive and has been lying vacant for years. Ideal place to host the top gear event and future events
Durban Rate Payer, wrote
In view of the fact that Durban rate payers will foot half of the bill, I guess we can expect to get tickets at half price?
champagne, wrote
So I as a rates payer in Durban, have had to pay for a stadium built for a world cup and now I must pay once again for some stupid decision by the council. MAKE some money BEFORE you SPEND MORE.
Steven, wrote
The Old Airport has been standing empty for nearly two years now. How much effort would it take to convert this into a viable track? The 3 years will be long gone by the time the so called dug out port is ever started. In the meantime, why not use the land to generate some revenue for ratepayers instead of bleeding us dry?
Top Geariac, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
Typical Durban mentality to assume that every Indian person has hisher hands under the table. All you should have said was that you agree with the level headed Mr Pillay who has made a valid point in building a race track to serve the racing community within KZN.
JoeDbn, wrote
Pillay is the only one with some intelligence - or he is not one with his hand under the table! Once again the Durban council is showing its stupidity and short-sightedness in spending so much for a three year benefit, when a permanent track will be far more beneficial to locals and visitors for so much longer! But arguing with them is like farting against thunder - there are too many vested interests in play here!!!!
Showing items 1 - 17 of 17
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Services
Buying a car has never been easy. Motoring.co.za contains a large database of car listings with a user friendly search.
Start searching today »
Business Directory
You are here: IOL / Motoring / Industry News / Durban Top Gear show is all go
We like to make your life easier
Mobile
Browse IOL on your phone at m.iol.co.za.
Newsletters
Subscribe to our newsletters. News delivered to your inbox!
Comment Guidelines