February 22, 2012: Amid much fanfare and with a high level VIP presence, COO of the Top Gear Live, James Cook Priest, wowed Top Gear fans at the launch of the Durban festival set to take place on June 16 and 17 in and around the Moses Mabhida stadium.
With a mixture of impressive data and showbiz Priest got engines revving as he explained the Top Gear Festival global phenomenon and the specifics of the Durban event. An array of mouthwatering supercars were on display for those wanting to get in the mood for the big event.
Some of the exciting features Durbanites (and those travelling from around the province and country) can look forward to include: stunts and live show from within the stadium; off-road track within the broader Moses Mabhida precinct; a 2km street track (the first ever for Top Gear Festival), power laps from the amazing Stig; drifting; drag racing; celebrity race challenges and much more. A section of the outer pitch on the main field will be removed and specially laid for the festival, and synthetic turf will replace the track once the festival is over.
Responding to questions from the media about the city’s readiness to host the festival, build the required track and the expected spin-offs of the event, MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Mike Mabuyakhulu, was adamant that the festival would be a roaring success.
“People need to look at the bigger picture. If we want to compete globally for tourists and investment, we need to play globally.” Mabuyakhulu said this event was a top international brand and part of a broader plan to position Durban as an events and tourism hub.
Deputy Mayor Nomvuso Shabalala assured all attending the launch that the city would be well prepared to host the Top Gear Durban Festival, including construction of the street track.
There was strong support from Durban Chamber of Commerce CEO Andrew Layman, who pledged the business body’s support to the festival, while high profile IVB Supercar Club boss Ashok Sewnarain expressed his view that the Top Gear Festival was a coup for the city.
It’s expected the festival will come to Durban for at least three years.
Tickets for the show go on sale this week and start at R250, going up to R995 for a platinum package. – Ridge Correspondent