Toyota Dealer 1000 Provides Mpumalanga With Economic Boost

The Toyota Dealer 1000 in Mpumalanga from October 13 to 15 will provide the region with an economic boost of between R2 and R3 million.

That is the good news. But it will get even better if this event elevates off road racing to the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup in 2006.

The Toyota Dealer 1000 has been chosen as the candidate event for South Africa's inclusion on the Cross Country World Cup calendar next year. As such this year's event will be observed by a team from the FIA Cross Country Rally Commission, with a favourable report the gateway to world championship status.

"It is estimated that events forming part of the Absa Off Road Championship generate between R2 and R3 million per event in the various regions," said Motorsport South Africa Off Road Racing Commission president Piet Swanepoel. "The revenue is generated by money spent by between 50 and 70 teams per event on travel, accommodation, food and restaurants, fuel and other entertainment costs.

"The revenue is further boosted by money spent by thousands of spectators at each event, and should off road racing be given world championship status next year the revenue generated could be huge. Included in this revenue would be much needed foreign exchange generated by international teams and supporters."

There are other benefits, however, that could also accrue to Mpumalanga and South Africa should the event be given World Cup status.

"World Cup status would open up a whole new avenue of exploration for tourism," Swanepoel said. "The international teams attending the event would be captive audiences, and the country has just about everything that would appeal to potential tourists.

"On top of that world championship status would focus positive international media attention on South Africa, with the event attracting written and electronic media coverage throughout the world."

Swanepoel added that over the years South African motorsport had lost its place on the Formula One and MotoGP calendars, with the only remaining world championship event the SA Motocross Grand Prix. Other events like rounds of the World Superbike championship had also been lost to South Africa.

"With this in mind Cross Country World Cup status would be a massive boost, not only for off road racing, but for motorsport in this country," Swanepoel said.