Renault F1 cars to roar through Sandton

The partnership has been designed to consolidate the province's position as a home of competitive sport, said Paul Mashatile, the MEC for finance and economic affairs. "[It] presents a lot of spin offs for the province's economy."Under the partnership, an ING Renault F1 Roadshow will be hosted every July in Sandton. It is expected to attract scores of motor-sport enthusiasts to Joburg. Held for the first time in 2007, the Roadshow drew almost 80 000 people to the area."We are very excited about the partnership. We hope that [the F1 events] will attract domestic and international audiences," said Barbara Creecy, the MEC for sports, arts, culture and recreation. "[This] presents a good opportunity for us to showcase Gauteng's great sporting facilities and to illustrate its ability to become a globally competitive city region."Speaking to the media from the premier's office on Tuesday, 22 January, Mashatile noted that the partnership would expose Gauteng's young people to motor sports and the opportunities it presented. "Our association with motor sports and the Renault F1 team in particular [holds] benefits for the youth of our province. We have no doubt that our young people will take advantage of the opportunities provided by this partnership."Several workshops and other activities related to the motor sports sector will also be hosted to empower young people.During the ING Renault F1 Roadshow, the Renault F1 team will race its fleet of cars through the streets of Sandton and exhibit them for the public.  The 2008 show will be held on the 27th of July and will include a competition that will give one lucky person the opportunity to drive a 2007 Renault F1 car. Joburg.org.za / SAGN