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F1 fever could start running high in the Mother City with another plan in motion to host a Formula 1 GP. Proposals for Cape Town Grand Prix race have been picking up pace since we first reported it in November 2010.
The latest proposal is for a street race similar to the well-known Monaco GP on roads around Green Point Common with the World Cup soccer stadium as the focal point for the start and finish of the 5.3km circuit.
Cape Town city council ordered an investigation into the advantages and disadvantages of such a race.
The latest plans follow on an idea by Helderberg businessman David Gant in 2004 to develop an F1 racecourse near Cape Town airport. Now the Cape Town Grand Prix bid company, launched in 2007 by Igshaan Amlay, has announced that Bernie Ecclestone, holder of F1 trading rights, hs been approached about an F1 race in Green Point.
'FIRST RACE IN 2012'
Esther Henderson, spokesperson for the bid company, said the plan had been discussed with the city council, provincial government, Cape Town Tourism, Wesgro, the International Motorsport Federation and Motorsport SA, as well potential investors.
"If all goes well, we want the first race in 2013," she said.
Mansoor Mohamed, Cape Town's head of economic and social development and tourism, said he had visited the GP circuits in Shanghai and Singapore and had done a presentation to the mayoral committee which ordered a detailed investigation into the advantages and disadvantages of a Cape Town GP.
''DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY'
"In the process, how such a race could tie in to Cape Town's strategy for the hosting of big events should be investigated," Mansoor said. "At the same time, it has to be established what would be best for Cape Town: a new GP circuit with surrounding economic development or a street race on existing roads, which will require little extra expenditure.
"The plans have to support our development strategy."
Alan Winde, Western Cape minister of finances, economic development and tourism, said he was aware of the F1 plan but felt it had to be carefully considered. He added:
"We have, like with the World Cup soccer tournament, to talk to others who have done it before. We also have to look at what lessons we learned from the soccer World Cup and apply them."
The latest proposal is for a street race similar to the well-known Monaco GP on roads around Green Point Common with the World Cup soccer stadium as the focal point for the start and finish of the 5.3km circuit.
Cape Town city council ordered an investigation into the advantages and disadvantages of such a race.
The latest plans follow on an idea by Helderberg businessman David Gant in 2004 to develop an F1 racecourse near Cape Town airport. Now the Cape Town Grand Prix bid company, launched in 2007 by Igshaan Amlay, has announced that Bernie Ecclestone, holder of F1 trading rights, hs been approached about an F1 race in Green Point.
'FIRST RACE IN 2012'
Esther Henderson, spokesperson for the bid company, said the plan had been discussed with the city council, provincial government, Cape Town Tourism, Wesgro, the International Motorsport Federation and Motorsport SA, as well potential investors.
CAPE TOWN GRAND PRIX: The orginal proposed circuit route saw the circuit bypassing the stadium while the new circuit (top) could see drivers racing through it.
Mansoor Mohamed, Cape Town's head of economic and social development and tourism, said he had visited the GP circuits in Shanghai and Singapore and had done a presentation to the mayoral committee which ordered a detailed investigation into the advantages and disadvantages of a Cape Town GP.
''DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY'
"In the process, how such a race could tie in to Cape Town's strategy for the hosting of big events should be investigated," Mansoor said. "At the same time, it has to be established what would be best for Cape Town: a new GP circuit with surrounding economic development or a street race on existing roads, which will require little extra expenditure.
"The plans have to support our development strategy."
Alan Winde, Western Cape minister of finances, economic development and tourism, said he was aware of the F1 plan but felt it had to be carefully considered. He added:
"We have, like with the World Cup soccer tournament, to talk to others who have done it before. We also have to look at what lessons we learned from the soccer World Cup and apply them."