A1gp comes to Kyalami

A1GP World Cup of Motorsport has entered into a partnership with the Gauteng Provincial Government for the hosting rights for the South African A1GP event, ushering in a new era for both parties and promising to provide significant economic, social and tourism benefits for the province.

It is expected that the A1GP Gauteng event will serve as a catalyst for the creation of a wide range of employment opportunities in the motorsport, logisitical, security and infrastructure sectors. It will also stimulate investment and benefit the hospitality industry.

Says Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa: "A1GP will give Gauteng international exposure, with about 300 million people expected to view the event on television worldwide. It will add more impetus to Gauteng's efforts to position itself as the home of competitive sport."

"A1GP will position Gauteng as a preferred tourist destination. The event takes the province closer to the achievement of its strategic objective of increasing Gauteng's share of the tourism market to more than 50% of all international arrivals," the Premier notes.

Paul Mashatile, Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Affairs says: "A1GP signals the beginning of the development of motorsport as one of the areas with massive potential to boost economic growth in Gauteng. Our association with A1GP is also in line with our approach to supporting the automotive sector as one of the critical pillars of the provincial economy".

A1GP represents the first opportunity in any area of motorsport for nations, rather than drivers, to compete on a level playing field. Technology and innovation are deliberately equalised and performance is determined by human bravery, skill and excellence.

According to Pete da Silva, A1GP CEO, "The series is going from strength to strength, not only commercially, but also because of the fiercely competitive on-track action. We have made a number of exciting announcements for the new season, such as the commercial partnership with Ferrari to supply A1GP engines and consult on the design and manufacture of the chassis, thereby cementing A1GP's position as a major international series".

"Gauteng is the economic powerhouse of the country and also the home of competitive sport, now including A1GP. The people of South Africa and more especially Gauteng can look forward to an event like no other. It will be a feast for the senses" says da Silva.

A1 Team RSA Seat Holder Tokyo Sexwale, says "A new season of A1GP approaches and with it, new and exciting developments. The series is characterised by fast cars, high octane action and beautiful people - all of which also characterise the province of Gauteng. I'm proud of A1 Team RSA, which finished in fifth place in the last season of A1GP. I know that the team is preparing to make the nation proud, not only in the series as a whole, but also when the race comes to our shores in February".

The A1GP Gauteng event will be held from 20 - 22 February at the Kyalami Grand Prix circuit in Johannesburg.

My latest Sports Leader article

I seem to caused a little stir on Sports Leader.

As Bono said, "Am I buggin' ya? Well, I mean to bug ya."

Why are we so determined to send a man with no legs to the Olympic Games?

Is there not another man that can run the 400m in under 45 seconds anywhere in South Africa? I think that I will make it my life’s goal to run the 400m in under 45 seconds.

Check out the whole article here...

du Plessis suspended for 3 weeks

Not sure what the difference is between banned and suspended, but Bismarck du Plessis has both, in my opinion. Once again, a reflection at just how dirty the Boks are when they play the All Blacks....

This from Radio New Zealand.

Springboks hooker Bismarck du Plessis has been suspended for three weeks
following an alleged eye gouging incident in Saturday night's tri nations test against the All Blacks.
Du Plessis was cited under Law 10.4 (k) for contact with the eyes or eye area.
SANZAR judicial officer Kim Garling determined there had been contact between the left hand of Du Plessis and Thomson's face.
His closed hand had first come into contact with Thomson's cheek and then his eye area, but not the eye. Mr Garling concluded that the contact was careless and not deliberate.
At the hearing, Du Plessis acknowledged that his fist had come into contact with Thomson's lower cheek and then, as it rolled across his face, his left hand knuckle appeared to come into contact with the face near the eye area but did not come into contact with his eye.
In delivering short reasons about the incident, Mr Garling said that "any action by
a player in which fingers, a hand, or a knuckle comes into contact with the eye or eye area of a player is very serious and the IRB recommended penalties reflect that because of the potential for permanent damage to the sight of a player."
He said Du Plessis had conceded the carelessness of his actions at the first available opportunity when the matter came before the Judiciary and had shown regret for his actions.
Mr Garling said this was the first blemish in Du Plessis' playing career which, apart from his early years in rugby from the age of five, had encompassed eight seasons of professional rugby at a first class level. He was also highly regarded by his peers.
Mr Garling said the appropriate entry point for sanction was at the lower end, as the contact, while unacceptable, was minimal.