As you must have heard by now, Durban has been made host city for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, this in itself is a major achievement for the city given that it is normally plays 3rd fiddle behind Johannesburg and Cape Town. This in itself is the single biggest sporting event hosted by a single city on the continent and what an honor it is. Durban is dubbed South Africa's sporting mecca with it having a unique sporting precinct that is nestled on the shores of the warm Indian Ocean.
The bid committee has worked tirelessly over the past few years putting together a bid that not only justifies why Durban is the perfect candidate but also the right one. Yes, with other bidding cities pulling out of the race, it did make it a one horse race but the Commonwealth Games Federation's General Assembly did put Durban under the microscope to see if it met their requirements. With 80 of the infrastructure already built with minor upgrades needed to existing ones, it was a clear enough as to why Durban would be ideal to host this prestigious event.
From now on the city is gearing up for 2022 as preparations are well under way to get the city and the country behind this event, to make it a memorable one, not only for South Africa but Africa as a whole. We showed the world what we can achieve during the 2010 World Cup and this is just another opportunity to showcase that again. Looking at some of the proposed venues for the events, Moses Mabhida leads the line as the centre piece for the games as it will host most of the track and field events. The major talking point is the choice of using Rachel Finlayson swimming pool along the promenade over the Kings Park Aquatics Centre, as shown in the renders it would prove to be a better venue showcasing the cities beautiful beachfront and promenade.
The CGF have asked for alternatives should weather pose a problem to these outdoor venues. Overall I think this a great thing for the city and can only do more good than harm for us, we will need support from the country as well seeing that this is something that only the Olympics can top. We've seen in the past, what the success of hosting a successful games can do for the city, so now that we have our chance, we shouldn't be slacking. It's time for us to get ready, #ReadyToInspire
They say "consistency is the key to success", well that's not always the case as I found out the hard way. Last week saw me and 23 other sport and lifestyle bloggers compete as teams, region specific, for the crown as Mr Price Sport Blog Olympics champions for 2014. Being one of the surviving 3 members of #TeamDBN from last year, I knew how competitive things were going to be. I was confident in our team's abilities, even though we came 3rd in the first challenge, that did not deter us as we kept our focus to win the second challenge of the day by a matter of seconds.
@NJDbnRocks killing the hullahoop
If no one realised it by then, the fun and games from the opening party at Tsogo Sun's Suncoast Hotel the night before was quickly forgotten as we all were focused on one thing and that was bringing glory to our cities name. Next challenge was the super frisbee, it was a tricky one as we had to throw them into Durban's iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium with the swirling wind. Many got caught out by this and saw their efforts fly backwards into the stands. I seemed to have timed it well with myself and Jonas, also from TeamDBN looking to have thrown it the furthest. The jury is still out as to who did actually get the furthest but I'll be happy to collect the points for my team.
Super frisbee time
It was a pretty warm day in Durbs and I along with everyone else was quite thankful for the cool refreshments provided by the sponsors, one of them being Sir Juice, nothing beats fresh fruit juice. The next few events which included the waboba ball and electric scooter race saw Team Cape Town claw back into the lead on the points table. I'm not the fittest guy around so most of these activities were quite energy sapping so the SportsMax recovery zone was quite welcomed. Not only were energy drinks given to the competitors but massages as well!
After a short break which saw us go for lunch, we got straight back into the thick of it with Zooper Zarts, similar to darts but with no sharp pointy edge to poke someones eye out. It's probably more difficult as one has get the trajectory right to get it to stick to the board. Being Indian, one would think darts is second nature to me but it wasn't really. Although I was pleased that my catching skills were up to scratch from my cricketing days, pity it wasn't a ball but a water balloon that I was catching for the next challenge. Needless to say the cool water wasn't that bad seeing that I was in the sun the whole day.
@gjane_zn chilling out
7 events down and with no clear cut leader it was time for the final challenge, the obstacle course. I consider myself an obstacle as it is so you can only imagine what went through my mind when I heard everyone had to take part in it. Last year I sat out but this year I had to suck it up, tumble around in that zorb ball, get lost in the maze and climb up a giant inflatable slide. Far from the pace of Usian Bolt I managed to some how complete it without dying and tagged my next team member in. Team Jozi eventually won the last challenge but everyone was rewarded with ice cream, not just any ice cream, protein packed ice cream! Some were rewarded in another way though, like jumping off the arch, yeah I'm glad my name didn't go in that hat but the people who did seemed to have enjoyed it.
The competitors
The day ended off with a prize giving back at Suncoast Towers Hotel where the inevitable happened.., I was handed a lemon for getting lost in the maze. Eventually it was time to see who the winners were, as I said at the start consistency isn't always great as TeamDBN retained the bronze. I was proud of my team though, we did much better than the year before and showed great fighting spirit which I'm sure made the scoring extremely tight. TeamCPT remained consistent as well as they retained the title as winning city. We Durbanite's have a knack of showing our guests a good time when they in our city but I think next year we going to have to change things around.
Overall it was a thoroughly enjoyable event once again, even bigger and better than last year. It's the one event that allows the participants to get to know one another and are forced to interact with each other which is great for networking. The sponsors that came on board just took things to another level, a massive shout out to them, especially MR Price Sport & the folk at Paton Tupper for putting this all together, Tsogo Sun & Suncoast Towers for the great hospitality (look out for the review coming soon), Mercedes Benz Umhlanga for letting us experience their line up of luxury saloons that got us to and from the stadium (and for awarding me the AMG Advanced Driving Experience! Cannot wait!!!) and to Moses Mabhida Stadium, the best stadium in the world for the venue!
This past weekend saw the three guys from BBC's famed series "Top Gear" visit the warm shores of South Africa's east coast for what was supposed to be their 3rd and final appearance in Durban for them and the travelling festival. The setting couldn't have been better with the weather being absolutely stunning, a new revised street track ready for the onslaught of fast cars and burning rubber and Moses Mabhida being the shimmering beauty in the melody of madness.
AMG VIP marquee bar
I was fortunate enough to be invited to spend the weekend from the gang at Mercedes Benz South Africa, to experience with them a weekend of #AMGTopGear. I agreed to it without even knowing what it was about, only after, little by little did details of what an epic time it was going to be filtered in and when I finally got there, I was blown away with what I had experienced. Here's what went down.
Chillin in the marquee
After partying another Friday night into the early hours of Saturday morning, it was a struggle to get up and make the 9am opening time of the festival, let alone find parking and walk all the way to the stadium. Luckily for me Mercedes Benz already had a full proof plan in place for me and other VIP guests to their tent, with a shuttle service from Riverside hotel to the VIP area of the festival.
AMG's ready to go
Once there I was greeted by the members of the Mercedes Benz SA team, offered a drink and some entrees, then I was asked to register for my AMG hot lap, a bit confused and still nursing a hangover I signed this piece of paper and got handed a number and was told to make my way out for a safety briefing. It was there I learned that I was about to go around the street circuit in one of Mercedes Benz AMG's driven by a member from their Advanced Driving academy! The cars varied from the smallest, A45 AMG Edition 1 to the biggest ML63 AMG, the one I got to go in was the smallest and most agile from the bunch, the A45 AMG Edition 1. I was told that the street circuit was made for it as well, so I was even more excited with the my choice!
Safety briefing
All strapped up and we were ready to go, like clock work at 12pm sharp the gates to the track opened for us and we made our way on to the circuit. This years street track saw the length reduced but made it much faster and more entertaining for the fans, after a short warm up the drivers got the go ahead to put the pedal to the metal and open the valves on the car.
A45 AMG Edition 1
Almost like a roller coaster the sheer acceleration and power had us firmly into our seats, that was only until the first turn where we then got flung from side to side as we made our way through the track. With the air filled of burning rubber and the tones of high revving engines, this was one of the best experiences of my life! In what felt like both a life time and a flash, our 4 laps were complete and we had to make our way back to the pits. Words failed to do justice for what I had experience and the only thing I could manage was this massive grin on my face.
Next up was the show, having seen the show the past three years I sort of knew what to expect but this time round there was a difference. I had VIP pass which meant mingling in a suite in stead of an ordinary stand ticket. Being ushered around Moses Mabhida like royalty to the Mercedes Benz suite was an experience in itself. There we were greeted to an open bar to quench our thirsts and 3 course buffet lunch! If this isn't luxury and service then I don't know what is!
View from the suite
The suite was located practically on centre stage, so the view was unmatched. The show itself lived up to expectation, it was entertaining and there was plenty of car candy to be seen, none more so than the SLS Black Series that made its entrance during the "Car Porn" segment. Hearing that deep growl of the monster V8 echo around Moses Mabhida as it made it way down the straight made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up!
Spot the SLS Black Series
The expo zone of the festival is always one to draw the crowd, most manufacturers take advantage of this by displaying their best products at their tents and one to look out for is always Mercedes Benz AMG. Last year they debuted their A45 AMG Edition 1 and this year they brought along the grand daddy of luxury sports coupe's in the S63 AMG Coupe.
AMG Marquee
The car left many admiring its fierce design coupled with the luxury interior that befits a palace. It definitely is the right combination of luxury and sports, with its long wheel base there was sure to be plenty of space for its 4 passengers and ample power to carry it along with them. Other cars at the AMG marquee included the normal SLS, SL63 AMG, A45 AMG, C63 AMG 507 Edition, CLA 45 AMG and the E63 AMG. All of them stars in their own right and got the deserved attention by the people visiting.
S63 AMG Coupe
The AMG Demo theatre was another highlight from the German auto maker, with audiences getting to see and experience the power of the various cars as well as safety features and measures the cars does to make sure its passengers are safe at all times. Again the demonstrations were done by members of the AMG Advanced Driving Academy and left the crowds in awe and also educated on the cars on display.
AMG Advanced Driving Academy
Before I knew it, the sun was setting on my Top Gear weekend and it was time to head back home, with one final stop at the AMG VIP tent to say our goodbyes, it was off to the shuttles which again transported us back to the Riverside Hotel to collect my car and drive back home with the memories of a fantastic time at Top Gear 2014.
Sunset over Moses
Just a quick thanks to Mercedes Benz South Africa and the team at iProspect (Janine & Carla) for making all this possible!
It's the final year that the BBC's most watched series brings its live show to the shores of KZN and according to the organises, it is going to be the biggest and best one yet. Tens of thosands of fans are expected to make their way down to Durban's iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium to witness what is on offer this year.
There is a revised street track with added striaghts to make the racing more exciting with more grand stand seating. The action zone is filled with events for the entire day, there's a demo strip where the manufacturers will be showcasing some of their products. Motoring in motion will offer visitors the chance to test drive some of the new models from Mercedes Benz, Infiniti and Ford.The motoring expo is always a hit with the various exbhitors always drawing a crowd.
Though the main reason for people visiting would be to see the legendary trio of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, not forgetting the "tame racing driver" only known as "the Stig". They've come a long way since the series first aired in 2002, they've travelled the world and test driven some of the most exotic cars in the most breath taking locations and of course done some utterly stupid things in between.
Fans can expect to see some of that stupidity and creativity at the show as the trio attempt to build an electric car and perform challenges set to them by the Top Gear men in white coats. Local Afrikaans rapper Jack Parrow will be making an appearance during the show, no one knows why yet, some say it's to perform a track especially written for the festival but Richard Hammond is hoping it doesn't involve them rapping! They wil also be screening a short video which could be the prequel to the upcoming season 22 of the series and South African fans will be the first to see it!
Other stuff one can see in the show will be the ever popular Top Gear Stunt driving team who wow the crowds every year with some of the most insnane driving skills seen but the biggest news is that the Stig has accquired an F1 car from the Lotus F1 team! Theres CCTV footage of him breaking into the teams headquarters and redirecting the shipping to Durban for the show! Want to know what he has planned with the car? Well you better head down on either the Saturday or Sunday to find out because its sure to be epic, rumour has it, he may bungee jump with the car!
Tickets from as little as R260 and they're selling out fast, so don't miss out on your last chance to see the greatest live festival ...in the world in Durban!
This years Top Gear festival is already mooted to be the biggest and best Festival so far, visitors can expect a bumper show on the track and in the stadium and the action doesn't stop there! The Expo Zone will be home to a host of manufacturers in the industry, one of them being Mercedes Benz, their highlight will be the AMG stand and the focus of it being "driving performance".
Mercedes Benz AMG needs no introduction to the South African market with them being pretty popular amongst most buyers and fans. Which is why they will be in for a treat when they visit the stand during the Festival as the all new S63 AMG Coupe will be making it's debut on South African soil there. The S Class Coupe takes over from the CL Class as the companies flagship long base luxury coupe. With it's elegant yet sporty styling this new vehicle from the German manufacturer will have heads turning, add to that the aggressive AMG kit which accompanies the S63 Coupe and you'll have tounges wagging too!
At the heart of the beast you will find a 5.5 litre, V8 twin-turbo pushing out 430Kw, 585bhp and 900Nm of torque! It propels the car from 0-100kph in less than 4 seconds with the help of a 7 speed automatic "speedshift" gear box and the grunt from the massive four pipe configuration will send shivers down your spine! This car is the epitome of AMG's "driving performance".
Other things to look out for at the AMG stand is a demonstration of power and agility of the fastest 4-cylinder production engines in the world. As professional race drivers will be taking the A45 and CLA45 through their paces in the AMG Demo Theatre.
You can follow the happenings at the AMG stand on twitter @MercedesBenz_SA or the hash tag #AMGTopGear, I'll also be there during the course of the weekend giving live updates on twitter from the Festival.
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