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Top Gear Festival reveals enhanced Durban Street Circuit lay-out

Once a year, streets all over the world from Monte-Carlo to Macau transform into professional racing circuits to play host to some the greatest drivers and cars in the world. Parking lots are turned into paddocks, parks are re-modelled with grandstands, and intersections on the road become high-speed overtaking points in battles for world championships – and that’s exactly the spirit we’ve tried to capture at this year’s brand new and enhanced Top Gear Festival Durban Street Circuit lay-out.

The Top Gear Festival – powered by Shell V-Power in ‘the warmest place to be’ is expected to attract tens of thousands of petrol-heads keen to see the most anticipated line-up of motoring entertainment in Durban.

You’ve seen the highest class of international open-wheeled auto racing on TV. Now prepare to smell the rubber first hand as come June 15-16, 2013, the Moses Mabhida Stadium and Top Gear Festival Street Circuit will be transformed into a Top Gear fan’s nirvana.

This year Street Circuit drivers from Motor Sport SA (MSA) and the Franschhoek Motor Museum (FMM) will need to put their skills to the test as they race around the newly-updated track layout.

The enhanced 2.8km Street Circuit show will be presented by popular and respected Sasha Martinengo and Gugu O’ Zulu.

Visitors can expect two days of sensational driving, as the Street Circuit features a number of daring events and skills to match.

1) THE STIG

The king of the track, The Stig, will lay down the law as he screeches through the Street Circuit in the country’s fastest, most enhanced track-day vehicles, setting the fastest times throughout the show.

2) HOT HATCH GRUDGE MATCH

Get behind your favourite hot hatch back cars, driven by international pro race drivers, as they go head to head to lap each other in five races, in an attempt to set the fastest lap.

3) RALLY CARS GRUDGE MATCH

For the first time catch the Red Bull Toyota Dakar car, driven by South African Giniel de Villiers, who will take on a special individual rally stage in a point to point timed event. Vehicles and drivers will face handbrake turns as they display masterful manoeuvring at the new hairpin and chicane in the course.

4) RUGBY HOT RODS GRUDGE MATCH

A gem to be seen, this year eight Hot Rods, courtesy of the National Hot Rods Series based in Richards Bay, will race five laps in the name of South Africa’s eight Super Rugby teams. They will try to outdo each other as they race to predict who will win this year’s Super Rugby Challenge.

5) TANDEM DRIFTING GRUDGE MATCH

Also taking to the new course and streets for the first time, watch the country’s top drifters go head to head drifting, as they lead the crowds in their favour while taking turn to be the lead car and the chasing car.

Other highlights will also include world famous presenters; guest drivers including two-time Formula One World Champion Mika Häkkinen, who will later be interviewed live on stage in the Ultimate Village along with a number of legends and celebrities all in action.

The show will round off with the Franschhoek Motor Museum’s impressive display, as they celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the Le Mans 24 Hours by showcasing an impressive procession of 14 iconic race cars spanning from the 1930’s to present day.

The Festival, which takes place on a long weekend in Durban, promises to be full of the Top Gear trademark special effects, smashes and customised cars.

Also debuting will be an all-new Top Gear Live Stadium Show featuring Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson; James May; Richard Hammond and The Stig.

With over7000sqm of exhibition space in the Motoring Pavilion, visitors are encouraged to book early so as not to miss the most awaited event on this year’s entertainment and motoring calendar.

A variety of unique packages have been carefully designed to suit every fan’s needs.

Premium packages, include, the Ultimate Package to the Ultimate Village and the DStv Supreme tickets, offering guests exclusive access into the designated areas and a thrilling view of the Street Circuit.

For more information on these packages and other ticket packages or to book, visit www.topgearfestival.co.za.

For travelling Top Gear enthusiasts and guests, there is a full range of travel packages, from self-drive packages and luxury coach packages to flight packages, which include travel, and accommodation on a B&B basis in a Tsogo Sun 3 star or 4 star Hotel.

For more information on packages, visit www.topgearfestival.co.za/tickets/travel-packages or www.edusport.co.za

*Check out Top Gear Festival SA on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/topgearfest); Twitter(@topgearfestsa) and our website www.topgearfestival.co.za

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