Bay revs up for motorsport feast

BUSINESSES and accommodation establishments in Nelson Mandela Bay are in for an early festive season treat.

An international motorsport event – the Mzansi International Motorsport Show (Mims) – is to be held in the metro from December 4 to 7 – and is expected to attract thousands of national and international car enthusiasts.

Organisers said the event should bring in about R120-million in economic spin-offs – and a crowd of about 80000 over the four days. The Mims organisers hope to make it an annual event, and said they would transform the metro into the Monaco of Africa by showcasing Formula One cars, a series of Porsches, superbikes, V8s and trucks.

Mims project manager Thokozani Shongwe said the event would also promote the fashion industry, such as mohair, and create about 3000 temporary jobs.

"We chose Nelson Mandela Bay because it is the motoring hub of South Africa.

"It is a huge event that will boost tourism in the province," Shongwe said.

"The national government is excited about it as well as the [Nelson Mandela Bay] Business Chamber. We also want to link up with the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

"We need the support of the municipality and businesses to come on board and assist us.

"Sadly, as yet, we are yet to get positive support from the city. However, we are positive that we will get feedback soon," he said.

The municipality's executive director of economic development, tourism and agriculture, Anele Qaba, said the city still needed to make a decision about whether or not to support the event.

"The reality is, the city doesn't have money. We get piles and piles of good events, but there's no money.

"Even if they say they only need services and not financial support, it still costs money," Qaba said.

Organisers have already clinched the support of the Lotus F1 team, and they have approached the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), the Department of Trade and Industry, the FAW Group and Investec for sponsorship.

The Mandela Bay Business Chamber's chief executive, Kevin Hustler, said he would meet the organisers and Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) to discuss the event later this week.

The Mims advisory committee is headed by SA Football Association president Danny Jordaan and also includes AngloGold Ashanti chairman Sipho Pityana, NMBT chief executive Mandlakazi Skefile and Darryl Dennis from Dimension Data.

The lineup of events include vehicle displays, drifting, a night race, Formula 1 car parade, spinning, drag racing, speed and sound shows and classic and vintage car racing.

There will be fashion shows, after-parties and industry workshops on engineering and green technology. - Rochelle de Kock