Mandela calls on heroes to support F1x2 GP.

Former South African president Nelson Mandela has called on Formula One drivers past and present to support the first Altech South African F1x2 Charity Grand Prix, which is due to take place at Kyalami over the 6-9 August.

The event, which will see several of Paul Stoddart's two-seater Minardi F1x2 Formula One cars competing in anger for the first time outside of Europe, is being staged as a fundraiser for several charities, and Mandela is particularly keen to attract as strong a turnout as possible. He added that he would be sending personal invitations to all Formula One teams and drivers to support the event.

"Not only will this event be a landmark for South Africa, which last heard the sound of Formula One engines ten years ago, but we will also be able to support the children of my Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and the Unite Against Hunger charity.

"Currently, these projects support the most needy of South Africa's children, and through the proceeds from the Grand Prix, we are set on doing so much more to alleviate poverty and hunger.

"I am calling on the Formula One heroes of the world - past and present - to take time out of their busy schedules to join us in South Africa for the South African Grand Prix."

The history of the South African Grand Prix boasts some evocative names among its list of winners, many of whom are still around to heed Mandela's request. Among them are F1 world champions Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell - who has already driven (and crashed) one of the F1x2s - Niki Lauda, Jody Scheckter - himself a South African - Jackie Stewart, Mario Andretti and Jack Brabham. Other race winners include Riccardo Patrese, Rene Arnoux and Carlos Reutemann.

The Altech-backed F1x2 event follows on from last weekend's demonstration runs at Kyalami, and marks another first for Minardi team principal Stoddart's fleet of eight two-seater F1 cars.

"We are particularly proud to be able to bring the excitement of our two-seater Formula One cars to South Africa in August," Stoddart admitted, "It has all the makings of truly remarkable event.

"I'm sure it is going to be hugely successful, and I will be asking all of my colleagues in the Formula One paddock to attend and lend their support to this most worthwhile of causes."

Stoddart will be able to issue his invites this weekend, as he crosses the globe to be present with Minardi's F1 team at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, which forms an trans-Atlantic double-header with next weekend's Indianapolis-based USGP.