22.07.2004 Former F1 star Johnny Herbert AND BMW Williams F1 test driver Marc Gene are the first names to be lined up for the Minardi F1x2 race at Kyalami next month

Formula One stars Johnny Herbert and Marc Gene are the first of what is expected to be an impressive array of drivers to announce their participation in the Altech South African F1x2 Charity Grand Prix at the Kyalami International Raceway, on August 7, 8 and 9. 

The unique event, which will culminate on the Monday, with the first “double-header” F1 two-seater race programme ever staged, will help to raise funds for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and Unite Against Hunger charities.

Both Herbert and Gene were moved to become involved in the South African F1x2 Charity Grand Prix as a result of the personal invitation extended last month by Nelson Mandela to F1 heroes, past and present, to participate in this glittering event, which will also include an international extreme sports competition and a variety music spectacular.

Johnny Herbert is a vastly experienced, and hugely popular driver, who scored three Grand Prix victories in an illustrious F1 career that included stints with Benetton, Lotus, Sauber, Stewart and Jaguar. The Briton is also a former winner of the famed Le Mans 24-Hour race.

Spain’s Marc Gene is currently test and reserve driver for BMW WilliamsF1, and did an impressive job standing in at short notice for the injured Ralf Schumacher during last year’s Italian Grand Prix, and most recently, at this year’s French and British rounds of the World Championship. Like many of the current stars of Formula One, he started his Grand Prix career with Minardi.    

In fact, the current Wilux Minardi Cosworth F1 Team will be turning up in strength in South Africa, with 2003 race driver, Nicolas Kiesa, 2004 race driver, Gianmaria “Gimmi” Bruni, and 2004 test and reserve driver, Bas Leinders, all scheduled to appear. 

In addition, reigning British F3 champion and current F3000 International Championship competitor, Alan van der Merwe, who proved to be very popular with the Kyalami crowd when he drove one of a pair of F1x2 cars that appeared at the Johannesburg circuit in June, will be back for more on-track action at the August event.