A1GP drivers race a cheetah - and guess who lost

The reserve is a privately owned, non-subsidised game reserve, situated in the "Cradle of Humankind", a declared World Heritage Site, about 40km north-west of Johannesburg, and it was the venue for the weekend's first A1GP sprint race - a racing driver against a cheetah.

South Africa's Adrian Zaugg and Portugal's Filipe Albuquerque were both given their starting orders against the world's fastest land mammal, an animal that can accelerate from 0 to 60 in only three seconds, before hitting a top speed of over 110km/h. Both drivers were annihilated, hopefully for the first and only time this weekend.

"Racing the cheetah was something I never thought I would do," said Albuquerque, catching his breath. "I was keeping up the first few metres but when he got running there was no chance!"

Zaugg however, has his excuses ready: "I took a turn a little too sharply and fell, so that's why the cheetah beat me!"

The cats were one of the many animals that A1GP drivers got to experience at the reserve. All of the drivers played with three-month-old baby tiger cubs, and baby lions including one of only 40 known endangered white lions.

The reserve, which last year boasted the birth of 32 rare cape hunting dogs, three cheetah cubs and a rhino, has just purchased two Bengal tigers, which should arrive this week and will be incorporated in a breeding program.

A1GP heads to Kyalami motor racing circuit in South Africa for round five of the 2008/09 season this weekend, 20 - 22 February 2009.

For additional information about A1GP including ticket sales and television viewing times and a full list of international broadcast partners, please visit www.A1GP.com.