AUGUST 11, 2004

Minardi draws 60,000

The Minardi team pulled in 60,000 spectators on Monday in South Africa with its Altech South African F1x2 Charity Grand Prix at Kyalami. The event featured two 10-lap races between the fleet of Minardi two-seaters. The first race was won by regular Minardi F1 driver Gianmaria Bruni. The race had been led by Johnny Herbert but he spun and then Christian Fittipaldi lost time during his compulsory pit stop and so Bruni came through to win ahead of Bas Leinders and Patrick Friesacher.

The second race saw victory go to local hero Alan van der Merwe, who beat Herbert to the flag with Bruni third.

The impressive crowd will certainly help the ongoing bid for there to be a South African Grand Prix in Cape Town in 2007.