The All-New Top Gear Festival

It’s that time of the year again when Jeremy Clarkson and his mates come over for a holiday in sunny South Africa and while they’re here throw on a pokey motoring festival to entertain us locals. Only this year it’s less pokey motoring festival and more petrol-head heaven; with a line up of cars, drivers and motoring personalities that are more appealing than sex is to Tiger Woods.

The Top Gear Festival powered by BP Ultimate and hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and, for the first time, James May is making its debut at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit from 17th – 20th March. The 2011 event offers a more interactive experience for the visitor, expanding it from a theatre show to a motoring festival and resulting in its move to Kyalami which provides the necessary infrastructure required to host this impressive event.

As well as The Top Gear Stunt Show, featuring all three presenters, visitors will also enjoy a huge variety of other exciting outdoor features situated around the Kyalami track. Drag racing, power testing and time trials will take place at “The Strip”, whilst drifting, rallying and off-roading will be key activities taking place at “The Bowl”. Throughout the day there will be a full timetable of special appearances by the talent as they participate and commentate on a number of special Top Gear challenges. Further features will include the BP Stunt School, Freestyle Motocross bikes, Kart Track and Motoring Pavilion.

The Red Bull Racing Formula 1 Team will be accompanied by former F1 driver, David Coulthard, who will be driving one of the team’s Formula One cars throughout the weekend, crowning the incredible track content already scheduled in what will be a fitting celebration for the renowned Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, which celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year.

David Coulthard said of his involvement, “I’m really looking forward to going to Johannesburg for the Top Gear Festival; tens of thousands of spectators will get the chance to see an F1 car on the race track and witness what it can do. I don’t think a current F1 car has been to South Africa for a while so I plan to give everyone a true Red Bull experience with plenty of noise and burning rubber! I hope to see you all there.”

Honouring South Africa’s own Formula 1 Champion, Jody Scheckter, who took the title of 1979 Formula 1 World Driver’s Champion, is also another way of celebrating the 50 years of Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit’s existence.  Jody will be bringing his collection of iconic F1 cars in addition to being honoured at a special tribute dinner on Friday 18th March.

The real challenge of announcing the impressive list of guest drivers, celebrities and presenters at Top Gear Festival 2011 is trying to decide in which order to place them as each is as important as the other, their status within the motoring world making this a must-see motoring extravaganza.  Top Gear’s tame racing driver, The Stig will be taking to the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, as will legendary driver Sir Stirling Moss, whose success in a variety of categories of racing placed him among the world’s elite and ensure he is often called, “the greatest driver never to win the World Championship”.

The list continues with the likes of Derek Bell, five-time winner at Le Mans; Eddie Jordan, the BBC’s F1 pundit and owner of Eddie Jordan Racing; and Nick Mason, best known as Pink Floyd’s drummer, but a renowned car collector and participant in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.  

Another motoring expert, former Top Gear presenter and current co-presenter of Fifth Gear on Britain’s Channel Five network, Tiff Needell will also be taking part in South Africa’s Top Gear Festival. And last but not least Sabine Schmitz, the female motor racing driver and TV personality, joins in with the fun.  In addition a select number of private owners will also be given the opportunity to join the list driving their cars on the prestigious track.

This year’s Top Gear Festival powered by BP Ultimate is expected to attract tens of thousands of petrol-heads keen to see the world famous presenters, guest drivers, presenters and celebrities in action and take part in this true celebration of all things motoring. Visitors are encouraged to book early so as not to miss the most exciting event on this year’s entertainment and motoring calendar.

Tickets are priced from R365 and include parking. For more information and bookings visit www.topgearfestival.co.za or www.computicket.com. 

Last year Drive RSA’s resident “Vaalie” Nick Hodgson attended the old format Top Gear Live and was left in an almost speechless state by the whirlwind of motoring delights. If the marketing blurb is anything to go by, which no doubt it is, this year’s show will enter a new stratosphere in South African motoring entertainment. Our suggestion is that you don’t miss it for the world.

Miles Downard
Extracts and Photos: Brand Events press release dated 17/01/2011