Last year it was Mercedes, this year it’s Red Bull. Triple constructors’ world champions Infiniti Red Bull Racing will be bringing one of their 2011 season-winning cars to this year’s Top Gear Festival, which takes place at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on June 15 and 16.
The RB7 will be piloted by Red Bull Junior Team member António Félix da Costa, and comes from a season which saw the Red Bull team win both drivers’ and constructors’ world championships.
The 330km/h angry bull will be let loose on the festival’s street circuit, which, thanks to a new layout, promises better viewing from the stands.
Christian Horner, Infiniti Red Bull Racing team principal, said: “We’re delighted to be taking part in the Top Gear Festival. The team are looking forward to bringing Formula 1 to the South African fans and to putting on a great show on the newly designed street circuit.”
EXOTIC MACHINERY
Other street circuit highlights include two-time Formula One champion Mika Häkkinen getting behind the wheel of some exotic machinery, and the Franschhoek Motor Museum’s 90th Le Mans Tribute. Then there’s that tame racing driver, The Stig, who will be lighting it up in various grudge matches and power laps, and our own Giniel de Villiers, who will showcase the Red Bull Toyota in which he finished second in this year’s Dakar rally.
Hot rods and hot hatches, tandem drifting, MSA racing action, an extreme action zone featuring FMX bikes and trail bikes and the Shell Stunt School will also add flavour to the closed-off streets of Durban.
The entertaining trio of Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond will be doing their thing in the Top Gear Live Stadium Show, which is billed as all-new this year, while the extensive motoring expo in the People’s Park outdoor area will host car manufacturers and merchandise. Expect unveilings of the Jaguar F-Type, Merc’s A-Class, Peugeot’s 208 GTI and Audi’s RS5 Cabriolet.
Tickets are on sale and range from the basic ticket at R250 to R2 100 for an ultimate package. For more information on ticket prices and travel packages, or to book, visit www.topgearfestival.co.za
-Star Motoring