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Durban motor racing fanatics may soon get another major event, after the city successfully hosted the A1 Grand Prix for three consecutive years, mayor Obed Mlaba said on Wednesday.
"We have a proposal that has been accepted by the provincial government. The only thing that we have to do is look at costs before a final decision is taken,” Mlaba told Sapa.
The company, which Mlaba didn't name, had made the proposal because it liked how the city and the provincial government hosted the A1 Grand Prix between 2005 and 2008.
“The provincial government is very keen to see it getting off the ground. We are very excited about it. I can't say where it will be held. It may be a bit different from the previous racing event.”
The A1 Grand Prix was held on a 3.2km street circuit near the beachfront. The cost of staging it, including broadcasting to at least 14 countries worldwide, creating a street track and management costs, came to around R91.6 million.
The money was paid by the provincial government and the city of Durban. The three-day event in 2006 attracted more than 105 000 spectators.
The A1 Grand Prix was taken to Johannesburg but ended in its second year. Mlaba believed there was a need for a permanent motor racing event in Durban.
“The world cup has taught us that we have to have landmark events. Permanent events.” He felt these would be a success because the city and the private sector had the capacity to host them.
“Our International Convention Centre is doing very well because of the events. We need more events in our city.”
"We have a proposal that has been accepted by the provincial government. The only thing that we have to do is look at costs before a final decision is taken,” Mlaba told Sapa.
The company, which Mlaba didn't name, had made the proposal because it liked how the city and the provincial government hosted the A1 Grand Prix between 2005 and 2008.
“The provincial government is very keen to see it getting off the ground. We are very excited about it. I can't say where it will be held. It may be a bit different from the previous racing event.”
The A1 Grand Prix was held on a 3.2km street circuit near the beachfront. The cost of staging it, including broadcasting to at least 14 countries worldwide, creating a street track and management costs, came to around R91.6 million.
The money was paid by the provincial government and the city of Durban. The three-day event in 2006 attracted more than 105 000 spectators.
The A1 Grand Prix was taken to Johannesburg but ended in its second year. Mlaba believed there was a need for a permanent motor racing event in Durban.
“The world cup has taught us that we have to have landmark events. Permanent events.” He felt these would be a success because the city and the private sector had the capacity to host them.
“Our International Convention Centre is doing very well because of the events. We need more events in our city.”