WRC sets sights on SA?

It looks likely that SA will soon get to show off our skills with hosting international sporting events once more, as the FIA WRC spectacle prepares to return to Africa for the first time in over a decade.

 

Kagiso Vantage, a subsidiary of Kagiso Media, has put together the bid to host a WRC event which is the second-largest motorsport in the world garnering some 570-million TV viewers in over 200 countries. The fruits of this submission now appear to be ripening quickly, with the FIA requesting that a candidate event be held August 16 – 18th 2012 to test readiness for the real deal.

The location for the proposed event could not be more ideal – it will span the Valley of a Thousand Hills, Richmond and the South Coast of KZN with teams utilising the Moses Madhiba stadium as the official service park as well as a special stage at the international-grade sporting venue.

Mr S’bu Sithole, the City Manager of eTthekwini, says; “Being the host city of the event is in line with the objectives of attracting great events to Durban while at the same time encouraging tourism. Such events are crucial for developing the profile of the city and province as they do not just create good PR, but have other positive spin-offs, such as tourism and job creation. The WRC has a strong emphasis on tourism, with the event televised to a wide international audience. This exposure to these international markets over a three year period can only bode well for the City and the region”

Following the successful hosting of the candidate event, the FIA will evaluate our readiness and could schedule a South African round of the WRC for as early as next season. Given the skill and tenacity of the organisations involved in bringing this bid this close to reality already, we wouldn’t bet against it happening.