Kamini Padayachee
PETROL heads will love it, but opposition political parties and ratepayers’ associations have questioned whether the rewards will be worth the R31.4-million price tag on the eThekwini municipality’s hosting of the Top Gear motoring festival in Durban over the next three years.
According to a report tabled before the council’s executive committee yesterday, the municipality has put forth a proposal to host the festival at the Moses Mabhida Stadium next year.
A decision on hosting the event is expected to be made next year.
The report proposes a three-year agreement in a joint initiative, with the host city providing infrastructure, the province providing the event fees and operational costs, while Top Gear’s licensor would manage the event. The city would foot the bill to build a racetrack, pedestrian bridges and grandstand at the stadium, and for traffic management and roadworks associated with the event.
The report states that motoring TV show Top Gear had a significant following and the enthusiasm that eThekwini residents had for motorsport was evident during the hosting of the A1 Grand Prix from 2006 to 2008.
“The festival is a combination of events focusing around motorsports, featuring well-known Top Gear presenters and TV personalities. Along with live shows, there will be interactive displays in an exhibition area where various motor industry role-players are able to secure space to display their business and do new vehicle launches. This will result in some income reverting to the city to offset some of the implementation costs.”
It is proposed that the festival be held in June next year and in the two subsequent years.
DA caucus leader Tex Collins wanted to know how the city would benefit from the event.
“With the A1 Grand Prix, what we got was a lot of second-rate drivers making a lot of noise. Top Gear is a lot more popular, but what is in it for the city?”
The Minority Front’s Patrick Pillay agreed, saying a proper assessment of how the city had benefited from the A1 Grand Prix had not been done.
“We are in a similar situation with the Top Gear show. The city would incur huge costs without being aware of the rewards.”
James May
leaves the ITV studios
London, England – 29.11.10
Mandatory Credit: Benross/WENN.com
Mandatory Credit: Benross/WENN.c
However, KZN Motor Racing Club chairman Kas Moodley said the event would boost tourism.
“There are a lot of motoring enthusiasts in KZN, so the festival will definitely be well attended. When the festival was held in Joburg, a lot of people travelled from Durban to the event, so it would be good to have it here and I’m sure people from other provinces would flock here for it.”
Natal Off-road Club racing driver Tony Ball said it was a “wonderful idea”.
“It will get bucket loads of support because there are a lot of motoring fans here. Durban is always in last place when it comes to getting good concerts and other entertainment, so this is long overdue.”
However, Lilian Develing, of the Combined Ratepayers Association, said ratepayers would not benefit.
“We cannot afford this and the municipality should not be managing commercial enterprises. It should be left to businesses to bring these events to Durban.”
The festival features live motoring, and Top Gear hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May entertaining the crowds with zany antics.
The popular character known as The Stig also makes an appearance with the team.
