#11: MXGP of South Africa

The track is located on the Highveld plateau so has an elevation of around 1500m. Not quite Thunder Valley altitude of about 2000m but enough to have a meaningful effect on power.

This video is from 5 months ago when the track was still being developed for MXGP.

That track looks very narrow with one line.

What sort of turnout can be expected for a city  like Johannesburg and a Country like RSA? Is the facility capable of handling a large scale event? And what about the safety of participants and the threat of violence and theft? The stories coming out of South Africa have not been good.

Have you ever been overseas? People live normal life even in Africa can crime isnt worse than US or Mexico. How many will come and watch the race.. i would say not many. 

Jo-burg gets a GP?

How's the area

Will the Boomslanger be there, that’s what I’m most interested in!!

I guess Beta's management simply does not understand how many bikes they could sell in South Africa, China, Turkey and Australia using Infront's platform.

Johannesburg is a shithole and is not very safe. There are no go places and the teams attending will be well briefed on this. The locals attending also know this so all good. 

With that said, Tera Topia, the track and the hotels nearby is pretty secure. I'm taking a guess but I think all the teams will be staying at the lodges around Lanseria. Stunning accommodation and a 10 minute drive to the track. They will be safe and secure.

The track venue has more than enough space for both the pits and spectator parking. The Mlimi,'s who owns Terra Topia venue along with Saddle Back King, Jim Tarantino will ensure a world class event.  

With all shit that SA has going on, I can guarantee you guys that the SAGP will deliver a great run GP.

I'd love to be there to support Camden and Calvin but sadly, due to work obligations, I will not be able to attend.

It's also very expensive for locals who live around the country to fly in, book accommodation, tickets etc, so we will definitely lose many spectators but Based off the WSX turnout, I'd say we may have between 10 000 - 15 000...

I may be way off on the spectators but I sure know that SA has plenty of fans but how many will attend is any bodies guess.

I wish I could be there...sadly, I will be on a game farm ( Hoedspruit) doing another installation for work. A f##king bummer if you really want to know. 😠

The facility will handle the event. It will be a better event than most European ones and will set the standard for other away MXGP's. I say this, because the people that own the track are passionate. 

When you are at the facility, you will be safe. The problem is, the crime around the area and getting to the area. Unfortunately, 1st world people, don't understand the dangers of a 3rd world countries, and this leaves them vulnerable. 

The venue is also right next to a township called Diepsloot. Taken from Google "Diepsloot is recognized as one of the most volatile and heavily policed precincts in Gauteng, characterized by high rates of violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder, and gender-based violence. The Diepsloot Police Station frequently ranks in the top 30 nationally for violent crime categories". 

All I can say if you are coming to the event, be vigilant and don't fall prey to would be crime. 

Beta is pretty big in the off road scene here. 

Triumph, Beta and Ducati distributors are being asked too much money to have stands at the event (from the FIM Mafia). South Africa's purchasing base is small due to high import costs and they are all new to the motocross industry, so its just not worth the outlay. Not sure if the Japanese factories will pay for the visibility campaigns at this GP. 

Smash and grabs at the robots (traffic lights) are common in the area so keep a rubber neck and eyes on 360 degrees. 

Is "car jacking" dated terminology

Used to ride there often. Never had any issues, just don’t take a wrong turn and you’ll be fine.

Sounds like they're reducing ticket sales for safety reasons. Not great for the promoter.

There are protest happening in Jo berg right now. What's the latest on that Boom?

Hope that doesn't cause issues for the teams. most of who will be flying in today.

Per capita, your chances of being murdered are 7 times higher in South Africa than in the US.  Maybe the bigger concern for race teams and  spectators is kidnapping.  17,000 people a year are kidnapped in South Africa compared to a couple hundred a year in the US.

Sure, US cities have bad neighborhoods, but to claim the crime rates are equal in the US and South Africa is ignorant and completely false.

The protest are for the most part organized and peaceful. However, there have been reports of small scale looting and vigilante groups wanting to oust undocumented foreigners. 

MXGP need not worry about that as these protests are Black on black issues and its highly unlikely that any of these groups would target any white folk coming for the MXGP.

Reducing ticket sales will have zero effect, the protests will be over by this evening. I call that bullshit until proven wrong.

Xenophobia is between the African tribes and the other countries that the illegals come from. 

Its a unique set of issues going on here but I can guarantee you all that this will not effect the teams and fans alike.

The anti-illegal immigration protests and national shutdown in South Africa are scheduled to end today, June 30, 2026, with most localized demonstrations and processions concluding by 15:00.

From 4 days ago. Tickets sales have been great so far.

It looks like Arnhem, just with more paddock space :-) 

This came from a team in the paddock. We'll never know for sure if ticket sales have been good or not. Hopefully everyone gets in and out of there safely.

only 14 MX2 regulars is not a good look 

Unless there is no phase 1 or 2 

No Mathis Valin in MX2? Wonder if he is still feeling the effects of his monstruous crash in Portugal.