MPH Live Motor Show - The pioneering and innovative celebration of performance and prestige cars that has been taking the motoring world by storm.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR INFO MAIL

ENTER YOUR DETAILS

Press releases 2009

The wheel is turning... and the "Hamster" is coming back!

Richard "The Hamster" Hammond joins Top Gear co-presenter, Jeremy Clarkson and South African radio and TV personality Sasha Martinengo for MPH 2008 - Powered by BP Ultimate and in association with DSTV will be taking place at The Coca Cola Dome from 31 January to 3 February 2008.

In September 2006, Hammond suffered a serious brain injury during the filming of a Top Gear Extra insert - this was NOT the end! In spite of being told that he would be hospitalized for 15 months, Hammond returned home after only 5 weeks. He was back behind the wheel of a car by November 2006 - incredible!

December 2006 Hammond rejoined his crew in filming episodes of Top Gear for January, he rejoined his crew in grand style… coming down a flight of airline stairs accompanied by showgirls.

On this episode he was presented with a Lego Model of the Vampire Jet car which he crashed as well as a model of the set complete with presenters and the Stig... Fans might recall Hammond crediting Lego for his rehabilitation, stating that it saved his life, and career! During that same show Clarkson said that Hammond would have set the fastest land crash record, but that he would have to repeat it going the other way to make the record count!

Hammond has found that since the accident his memory has improved, remembering phone numbers and he now enjoys celery. Much to his irritation he is currently only allowed weak lager, so there is little chance of him enjoying local South African beer and wine.

Coming back to South Africa for MPH 2008 after the incredible show in early 2007, Hammond will be leaving behind more than just his wife and children but also three horses, four dogs, three cats, a rabbit and several chickens and sheep - something fans of this car fanatic might not know... along with his veritable fleet of cars and motorbikes including the Porche 911, which according to him is the best thing on four wheels...

One thing is certain about Richard Hammond, he is humourous, fun loving and crazy about cars... traits required when working along side Jeremy Clarkson, who gives his co-presenters a run for their money. This 38 year old TV presenter started out in radio before landing the lucrative role in Top Gear, he has also presented Crufts Dog Show and even the British Parking Awards!

Visitors to MPH 2008 - Powered by BP Ultimate running from 31 January to 3 February 2008 will be treated to antics by all three presenters as they showcase the very best that cars have to offer in the spectacular car theatre shows at The Coca Cola Dome.

Tickets are on sale and can be bought through Computicket on www.computicket.co.za or 083 915 8000. Ticket prices for adults are R170 (standard) and R270 (premium) and tickets for children under 12 are R100 (excludes prime time show at 20h00 on Friday and Saturday evening). All prices include Computicket charges.

MPH - Powered by BP Ulitmate in association with DSTV
Changing the face of South African motoring forever!

Super car parade at MPH 2008

The Koenigsegg CCX and the Pagani Zonda F will be part of the special Super Car Parade at MPH 2008-Powered by BP Ultimate at The Coca Cola Dome from 31 January to 3 February 2008. Seen for the first time in South Africa, these exclusive super cars have a combined value of almost R24m

Both of these vehicles have reset the standards by which "ordinary" super cars are judged.

Koenigsegg CCX is powered by a Koenigsegg 5.0 litre V8 cast aluminium engine. And with a top speed in excess of 400km/h the CCX currently holds Guinness World Record for the most powerful road legal super car in the world. Capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 2.9seconds, the braking distance is an equally impressive 32m [100-0km/h]. This David Craaford designed Swedish vehicle is the last word in speed and aerodynamic design.

On 28 May 2006 it set the fastest lap ever on Top Gear, driven by the Stig, the CCX clocked 1.17.6, beating the existing record of 1.18.4, the event was watched by approximately 250 million TV viewers. After this record, Christian von Koenigsegg, CEO and founder of the company is quoted as saying "We have once more demonstrated to the world that Koenigsegg stands for absolute performance"

Koenigsegg builds their cars to excel on either the road or racetrack and yet are still highly comfortable for long distance traveling. To prove this point, the CCX has a 120-litre luggage compartment. CCX, which stands for Competition Coupe X, commemorates the 10th anniversary of the completion and test drive of the first CC maiden prototype.

Much like the pilot of a jet fighter the driver of this car will be subjected to a lateral G-force of 1.4G! To quote the company "I TRAVEL AT EXTREME SPPEDS" seems to be the motto of this car! For the record the CCX highway fuel consumption is 13l/100km from a tank that holds 70l.

With a ground clearance of only 100mm and a turning circle of 11m, it might not be the ideal town car. It does have a hydraulic lifting system, which can raise the car 50mm in 3 seconds, which would allow it to clear suburban speed bumps. This system has an automatic safety drop feature if the car exceeds 50km/h

Some of the standard features of the CCX are: Custom Colour Leather Interior; Sound System; Rear Camera and GPS Navigation; Car Cover; Detachable & in-car storable roof; Driving education.

Horacio Pagani, super car designer and owner of the company he established in 1992 started with wood and clay models at the age of 12. Now his Pagani Zonda F is powered by a Mercedes-Benz AMG 12 cylinder, 7,3l V6 engine. Capable of 0-200km/h in 9,8 sec the Zonda F is able to stop in 4,4sec with the aid of the optional carbon/ceramic brakes developed in conjunction with Brembo.

The six speed gearbox is able to take the Zonda F to a top speed of more than 345 km/h. Although on the racetrack it is capable of lateral G forces of almost 1.5 G, as road car, easy to drive, and sets the benchmark for comfort and safety. The Zonda F is the last word in aerodynamic styling and style, while the exterior comprises textured carbon fibre, titanium, avional and other state of the art materials, the interior is even more spectacular.

The Zonda F comes with a purpose built sound system, and bespoke leather seats. The Digitek instrumentation provides essential information and a variety of sophisticated sensors to monitor every single component of the car. The driving experience is enhanced by the ‘Nardi’ steering wheel. This feature allows the driver to feel that their hands are in direct contact with the road surface. Production of the Zoned F will be limited to 25 cars, which makes it one of the most exclusive cars in the world.

Visitors to MPH 2008, running from 31 January to 3 February 2008, will be able to see these two exclusive vehicles and many more in the Parade of Super Cars in the spectacular car theatre shows at The Coca Cola Dome. They will be joined on stage by Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond from the popular UK TV series, Top Gear as well as local TV and Radio presenter Sasha Martinengo. What a line-up!

MPH – Powered by BP Ulitmate in association with DSTV
Changing the face of South African motoring forever!

“Stig” it to us Swiftly

Joining presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard “ The Hamster” Hammond and M.C Sasha Martinengo at MPH2008, Powered by BP Ultimate will be another Top Gear presenter, none other than the iconic anonymous test driver “The Stig” and Lead Precision Driver, Paul Swift.

But who is the current “Stig” and what does he have for breakfast? Although the identity of the original “Stig” is known, very little is known about the current Stig, other than the fact that he enjoys strong black coffee and cigarettes for breakfast. Although how he manages to eat and drink while wearing his helmet remains a mystery.

The original “Stig”, who wore a black racing overall and helmet, was racing driver Perry McCarthy, who let this fact slip in his book “Flat out, Flat broke”. This resulted in the “Stig” being ‘killed off’ at the end of the 3rd season of Top Gear. Richard Hammond is quoted as saying “They hired the mouthiest racing driver there was – and then shut him up.”

Originally the anonymous driver was going to be called ‘The Gimp’. (Gimp (n) a usually derogatory term used to refer to a sexually submissive person, typically dressed in black leather.) Eventually the name was changed to ‘The Stig”, the name coming from Jeremy Clarkson’s days at Repton School, where new students were referred to as “Stig” and the new version boasted a white racing overall and helmet.

Does McCarthy know the identity of the current Stig? “Yes I do. But I’m not going to spoil it. There’s a few of them, I think…”

The identity of the Stig is one of the best-kept secrets in the television industry. His sole mission on Top Gear is to produce the fastest lap times in exotic supercars.

Odds on favourite for the title of “The Stig” is ex British F1 driver Damon Hill. When asked at a recent event if he was “The Stig”, Hill added fuel to this rumour by replying; "I am not the Stig. But then, only the true Messiah denies his divinity." Hill is seen as being too busy being the President of the British Racing Drivers Club to fulfill the role of “The Stig”

The outsider in “The Stig” poll is Ellen MacArthur who holds the fastest celebrity lap on the Top Gear track, set in an old Suzuki Liana. Could Ellen be ”The Stig”? Although her driving skills are not in question, her physical stature does not match that of “The Stig”.

While there have been rumours that Jeremy Clarkson could possibly be “The Stig”, his busy career would keep him out of the white racing overall and helmet.

So although the identity of “The Stig” is still the best kept motor industry secret, the show also boasts one of the industries most famous drivers…Paul Swift who returns to South Africa for MPH 2008.

Keeping the wheels spinning and the crowds enthralled is the job of stunt driver Paul Swift and his team of precision drivers. Swift, by name and profession, is one of the few people who can claim to have driven circles around both Top Gear presenters.

His job is seen as so dangerous, that no insurance companies are prepared to offer him cover.
Paul Swift is quoted as saying: “Because of my job, insurance men imagine that danger follows me around. The irony is that I have never had an accident, I don’t even have points on my license and the only time I have been to hospital is because of my nut allergy”.

At MPH 2008.Powered by BP Ultimate, which takes place from 31 January to 3 February at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northgate, it will be Paul Swift who will lead a team of stunt drivers as they execute high-speed precision powerslides, J-turns, donuts, two wheel balancing and handbrake maneuvers. And it is this two wheel-balancing stunt that is Paul Swift’s trademark.

Paul’s driving career began in Darlington England in 1986 when he learnt to put the family lawn mower on two wheels. At age 7,Paul proved his skills when he was able to keep the family lawnmower on 2 wheels for 230m,thus setting a world record! At 16 Paul turned his attention to Motorsport and at 18 he won his local Autotest championship.

Now 28,and with 20 years of driving experience, Paul has 7 British titles to his name.

A mechanical engineer by profession, Paul gave this up in 2003 to form a precision stunt driving team.
Since then he and his team have performed over 1000 driving demonstrations at events around the world.

Paul commented, “We are very excited about returning to South Africa this year, the crowds were amazing last year so we really want to go one better and give them something special to remember in 2008”.

“The Stig” together with Paul Swift and his team, will have the audience on the edge of their seats with their “don’t try this at home” stunts.

Hosted by Sasha Martinengo and entertained by Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, MPH 2008 - Powered by BP Ultimate will run from 31 January to 3 February 2008 at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northgate.

Tickets can be bought through Computicket on www.computicket.co.za or 083 915 8000. Ticket prices for adults are R170 (standard) and R260 (premium) and tickets for children under 12 are R100 (excludes prime time show at 20h00 on Friday and Saturday evening). All prices include Computicket charges.

MPH – Powered by BP Ultimate will change the face of South African motoring forever!

MPH – Powered by BP Ultimate Returns in 2008 with front man
Jeremy Clarkson

MPH – Powered by BP Ultimate returns to South Africa between 31 January and 3 February 2008 at the Coca Cola Dome in Johannesburg. It was announced this week that motoring celebrity, Jeremy Clarkson, will be the man behind the wheel joined by SA personality Sasha Martinengo.

MPH 2008 welcomes back motoring journalist and TV personality, Jeremy Clarkson. This charismatic icon will host the live theatre element of the MPH car show. Clarkson is well known for his no holds barred approach to reviewing cars and has taken the motoring industry to new levels becoming a world renowned motoring specialist with fans from all walks of life, young and old.

Paul Edmunds, Sales and Marketing Manager for JCRM Events SA commented, “MPH is back and will be as exciting, as thrilling and will offer fans an even faster ride. Having Jeremy Clarkson eagerly sign up again proves that this is not like any car show. We also have the international driving force from Clarion Events and a powerful partner in BP.”

BP Ultimate sponsored the 2007 event and signed a sponsorship deal to be the official sponsor of the MPH events until 2011. Rui Jardim, BP’s Brand and Advertising Manager says,” We are proud to align our globally acclaimed performance fuel brand, BP Ultimate with MPH as it is synonymous with hi-end motor technology, performance and innovation, which is exactly what the show is all about.

“BP is a well recognised brand internationally and remains South Africa’s top petrol brand as measured by the annual Sunday Times/Markinor Brands and Branding survey, for the seventh consecutive year.

“We are pleased to have been able to partner with JCRM Events SA to once again bring South African motoring fans the ‘hottest’ car show around. And with the likes of Clarkson and Martinengo the event is sure to provide a thrilling ride for all”, Jardim concludes.

More than a motoring show, MPH is live motoring theatre at its best, with the exhibition element allowing car manufactures to show off their finest. Once again well known personality and motoring specialist, Sasha Martinengo, will be the master of ceremonies for the event. This TV and radio personality is no stranger to motoring, with racing in his blood and is well respected for interviewing F1 greats such as legendary Nigel Mansell and Eddie Jordan.

The event appeals to fans of motoring and turns those with no interest in to avid enthusiasts. Clarkson will most definitely be a huge pull for the show. Top Gear Xtra has a following that defies all the 'motor head' stereotypes; he is able to turn car statistics into a sort of Clarkson poetry. MPH will once again become Clarkson’s playground – with the South African audience fuelling him on.

MPH, similar to Clarkson’s TV series, is designed to keep all visitors enthralled throughout, in the 2007 show fans were treated to dancing Caterpillars to ballet performing cars and in the 2008 show expect no less action or excitement for the entire family. Leading up to the event there will be additional exciting announcements so watch this space…

First presented in the UK in 2003 the show has grown into the spectacular event that South Africa saw earlier this year and will get to see once again at MPH 2008. More than a static motor display, this exciting motor show format allows the cars to entertain the audience, and entertain they will! Visitors to the show will be able to drool over some of the worlds most desired vehicles as well as seeing 90 minutes of MPH Live Theatre, all this and Jeremy Clarkson too…What better way to see in 2008.

Tickets will be on sale from 1 November 2007 and will make great Christmas gifts. Tickets prices for adults are R170 (standard) and R260 (premium) and tickets for children under 12 are R100 (excludes prime time show at 20h00 on Friday and Saturday evening). Tickets can be bought through Computicket on www.computicket.co.za or 083 915 8000. All prices include Computicket charges. MPH will change the face of South African motoring forever!