Scheckter adds name to Kyalami list

South African sporting legend, Jody Scheckter, has today confirmed that he will attend the Altech South African F1x2 Charity Grand Prix on August 7, 8 and 9, at Kyalami International Raceway, near Johannesburg.

Scheckter is the latest driver to add his name to the growing list of Formula One stars, past and present, who have pledged to appear at this exciting festival of motor racing and entertainment, which will benefit the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and Unite Against Hunger charities.

Making Scheckter's appearance at this unique event even more poignant for the many thousands of South African motor racing fans who will be present, the East London-born driver will be reunited with the Ferrari he used to win the 1979 Formula One World Drivers' Championship.

Jody Scheckter's 1979 World Drivers' title marked the zenith of a distinguished nine-year career in F1, which included stints with McLaren, Tyrrell, Wolf and Ferrari. During that time, he raced in 112 Grands Prix, scored 10 victories, 23 further podium finishes, and amassed a total of 255 World Championship points. He retired from Formula One at the end of the 1980 season, at just 30 years of age.

The Ferrari T4, with its horizontally opposed 12-cylinder engine and highly distinctive bodywork, remains one of the most instantly recognisable Formula One cars of the modern Grand Prix era. Scheckter used the car to good effect, scoring three victories, three seconds and six more top-six finishes to emerge victorious in the 1979 World Championship standings after a season-long battle with team mate, Gilles Villeneuve.

The efforts of these two also ensured Ferrari won the World Constructors' Championship -- a feat the legendary Italian team was unable to repeat for another 21 years.

Aside from Scheckter, the impressive line-up for the Altech South African F1x2 Charity Grand Prix already includes Alex Wurz, Johnny Herbert, Marc Gene, Nicolas Kiesa, Gianmaria Bruni and Bas Leinders, as well as hard-charging South African F3000 racer, Alan van der Merwe.

The undoubted highlight of the event will occur on Monday, August 9, when, for the first time ever, there will be back-to-back 10-lap races featuring Minardi's fleet of eight two-seater Formula One cars.

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