Motor Racing: South African Grand Prix

NIGEL MANSELL will not be able to play a winning role, but Williams, his former team, will still attempt to carry off the first Formula One race of the season, the South African Grand Prix, for a second year running on 14 March in Johannesburg. Alain Prost, his replacement, should be on the grid for Williams at the Kyalami circuit, where the temperature will be in the seventies as South Africa's summer comes to a close.

Johannesburg is the gateway to the Eastern Transvaal and Kruger National Park, one of the world's finest game reserves that covers an area the size of Wales. The safari park is a four-hour drive from the city. Sights in the city include Gold Leaf City, a replica theme mining village, reflecting Johannesburg's gold-mining heritage.

The two coastal resorts of Cape Town and Durban are within easy reach, by air, from Johannesburg. Cape Town, where the Atlantic meets the Indian ocean and overlooked by Table Mountain, is just over a two- hour flight away. Durban, with its sandy beaches, is one hour from Johannesburg.

Page and Moy, of Leicester, specialises in motor racing trips and particularly Formula One. Two main packages are on offer, depending on choice of hotel. The four-night stay at the Holiday Inn Garden Court in Johannesburg city centre costs pounds 969 per person. The luxury Carlton costs pounds 1,099. In addition, trips to Kruger National Park and Londolozi, a private game lodge. Flights to Durban and Cape Town can be arranged.

The Uxbridge-based tour company, Airtrack Services Ltd, also has two packages available, staying close to the cicuit, but is also offering a special car- hire rate with Avis. Its first tour, an eight-night package, includes two nights on safari at the Kruger Park and costs pounds 1,095. The second tour of six nights starts at pounds 895.

Southern Africa Travel, of York, offers a four-night package, costing pounds 895 per person, which includes three-day tickets. Three optional add-on tours are available. A three-day safari to Kruger National Park is an additional pounds 395 or two nights in Sun City for an extra pounds 145 per person.

South African Grand Prix, 12-14 March 1993.

Kyalami Circuit, PO Box 1603, Sandton 2146, South Africa is situated on the outskirts of Johannesburg. (Tel: 010 27 11 702 2305).

Three-day tickets: Reserved 198 rand ( pounds 46), unreserved 154 rand ( pounds 36) available in January from Computicket (Tel: 010 27 11 331 9991). Tickets are also available from Airtrack Services, Page and Moy and Just Tickets. (Booking fee and VAT to be added).

South African Tourism Board, 5 Alt Grove, London SW19 4DZ (Tel: 081-944 6646).

Page and Moy Ltd, 136-140 London Road, Leicester LE2 1EN (Tel: 0533-524344).

Airtrack Services Ltd, 16-17 Windsor Street, Uxbridge UB8 1AB (Tel: 0895-270921).

Southern African Travel, 1 Pioneer Business Park, Amy Johnson Way, York YO3 4TN (Tel: 0904-692469).

Just Tickets, 1 Charterhouse, Camden Crescent, Dover CT16 1LE (Tel: 0304-228866).