Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit
Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit (2015–present)
Grand Prix Circuit (2015–present)
LocationMidrand, Gauteng, South Africa
Time zoneSAST (UTC+02:00)
Coordinates25°59′53″S 28°4′08″E / 25.99806°S 28.06889°E / -25.99806; 28.06889
Capacity100,000
FIA Grade2
OwnerToby Venter (2014–present)
Broke ground1961
Opened4 November 1961 (1961-11-04)[1]
Major eventsCurrent:
Kyalami 9 Hours (1958–1979, 1981–1984, 1986–1988, 1998–2000, 2019–2020, 2022–present)
Former:
Intercontinental GT Challenge (2019–2020, 2022–2023)
Formula One
South African Grand Prix (1967–1985, 1992–1993)
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
South African motorcycle Grand Prix (1983–1985, 1992)
World SBK (1998–2002, 2009–2010)
Sidecar World Championship (2000, 2002)
A1 Grand Prix (2009)
Superstars Series (2009–2010)
Grand Prix Masters (2005)
World Sportscar Championship (1974, 1983–1984)
Websitekyalamigrandprixcircuit.com
Grand Prix Circuit (2015–present)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length4.529 km (2.814 miles)
Turns16
Race lap record1:42.021 (Australia Matt Campbell, Porsche 911 GT3 R, 2020, GT3)
Grand Prix Circuit (1992–1993 and 2009–2015)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length4.261 km (2.648 miles)
Turns13
Race lap record1:17.578 (United Kingdom Nigel Mansell, Williams FW14B, 1992, F1)
Grand Prix Circuit (1994–2009)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length4.2606 km (2.647 miles)
Turns13
Race lap record1:28.306 (Malaysia Fairuz Fauzy, A1GP Ferrari, 2009, A1 GP)
Grand Prix Circuit (1989–1991)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length3.888 km (2.416 miles)
Turns11
Race lap record1:30.660 (Germany Roland Asch, Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evo2, 1990, Group A)
Original Grand Prix Circuit (1961–1988)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length4.104 km (2.550 miles)
Turns9
Race lap record1:08.149 (Finland Keke Rosberg, Williams FW10, 1985, F1)

Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit (from Khaya lami, My home in Zulu) is a 4.529 km (2.814 mi) motor racing circuit located in Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa, just north of Johannesburg. The circuit has been used for Grand Prix and Formula One races and has hosted the South African Grand Prix twenty times. Among the Formula One races held at the track the 1977 South African Grand Prix stands out, as it is principally remembered for the fatal accident that claimed the lives of race marshal Frederick Jansen van Vuuren and driver Tom Pryce. In recent years, the area surrounding the circuit has developed into a residential and commercial suburb of Johannesburg. More recently, Kyalami has played host to five rounds of the Superbike World Championship from 1998 to 2002 and later in 2009 and 2010, the season finale of the Superstars Series in 2009 and 2010, and the South African round of the 2008–09 A1 Grand Prix season. International racing returned to the circuit in November 2019, when it hosted the 2019 Kyalami 9 Hours, serving as the season finale of the 2019 Intercontinental GT Challenge.

History

The original, sweeping circuit was designed and cleared by Harry Pierce and Dick Bremner along with a few friends and workers in the mid-1950s. The two were also responsible for the hosting and housing of early race teams that ventured to Africa to try out the new track with Bremner being the chairman of the South African Automotive Racing Association. Its first major international event was in 1961 until political sanctions (due to apartheid policies) eliminated the Grand Prix after the 1985 race.[2] When the circuit was rebuilt in the early 1990s as part of a commercial development, Leeukop Bend, the Kink, Pit lane, the start/finish straight, Crowthorne Corner and Barbeque Bend were all eliminated. Jukskei Sweep was heavily modified to create the entrance into the bend before the then newly built Pit lane and start/finish straight. The remaining part of the old fast circuit, modified to a lesser degree were Sunset Bend, Clubhouse Bend and the Esses still incorporated into the current configuration, with the result that the circuit became a narrow, twisty ribbon rather than one of the fastest circuits on the calendar. Formula One abandoned the rebuilt circuit in 1993 after just two races on the new layout, caused by a bankruptcy on the part of the promoter.

It hosted the South African motorcycle Grand Prix until 1992.

Kyalami was changed again with the building of the current pit lane and start/finish straight and later again changes were made, with the addition of a chicane which in turn was removed again for the 2009 World Superbike race.[3] Kyalami came under new management and 2008 saw the 50th anniversary of the 9-hour revival being held at Kyalami with golden oldies like David Piper and others.[4] On 6 June 2014, it was announced that Kyalami would be auctioned off on 24 July without reserve.[5] On 24 July 2014, it was auctioned off for R205 million. The winning bidder was Toby Venter, owner of Porsche South Africa.[6] R100 million was invested to upgrade the circuit, allowing it to successfully obtain an FIA Grade 2 status.[7]

On 12 December 2019, the provisional calendar for the 2020–21 FIA World Endurance Championship was announced, containing a six-hour race at Kyalami scheduled for 6 February 2021.[8] However, after the calendar was revised due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kyalami was removed.[9][10]

Layout history

South African Grand Prix

From 1967 to 1993, Kyalami hosted 21 editions of the South African Grand Prix. Perhaps the most infamous of these was the 1982 edition, when the Grand Prix Drivers' Association staged a strike in protest of new superlicence conditions imposed by FISA.

Niki Lauda became the most successful driver at Kyalami, taking his third victory at the circuit in 1984. Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Jackie Stewart are the joint second-most successful drivers at the circuit, with two wins each. Jody Scheckter became the first and only South African driver to win their home race during the 1975 edition. Ferrari and Williams are the most successful constructors at the circuit, with four wins each.

In June 2022 it was reported that Stefano Domenicali, the President of Formula One, had flown to South Africa to meet representatives of the circuit about a possible return for F1 in 2023, but was not included in the 2023 provisional calendar.[11]

Lap records

As of February 2023, the fastest official race lap records of the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleDate
Grand Prix Circuit (5th Configuration): 4.529 km (2015–present)
GT31:42.021[12]Matt CampbellPorsche 911 (991 II) GT3 R2020 Kyalami 9 Hours
Sports car racing1:47.167[13]Julian FameliarisChevrolet Corvette (C8)2023 Kyalami Mobil1 V8 Series round
Group CN1:47.188[14]Mikaeel PitamberLigier JS532023 Kyalami Wild Rose Gin Sports & GT round
Touring car racing1:48.495[15]Paulo LoureiroBMW 335i2023 Kyalami BMW M Performance Parts Race Series round
GTC1:51.091[16]Saood WariawaToyota Corolla (E210)2023 Kyalami Global Touring Car Championship round
Porsche Carrera Cup1:51.774[14]Nicky DicksPorsche 911 (991 II) GT3 Cup2023 Kyalami Wild Rose Gin Sports & GT round
Formula Ford1:53.152[17]Troy DolinschekMygale M13-SJ2023 Kyalami Investchem F1600 round
GT41:52.127[18]Joseph EllerineAudi R8 LMS GT42023 Kyalami Festival of Motoring
SupaCup1:54.958[16]Jonathan MogotsiVolkswagen Polo VI2023 Kyalami Global Touring Car Championship round
Super Touring1:57.480[15]Andreas MeierBMW E36 STC2023 Kyalami BMW M Performance Parts Race Series round
ZX10 Masters Cup 1:50:026 Trevor Westman 2022 Kawasaki zx10R 2022 Festival of Motoring (Round 7)
Grand Prix Circuit (3rd Configuration): 4.261 km (1992–1993 and 2009–2015)
Formula One1:17.578Nigel MansellWilliams FW14B1992 South African Grand Prix
World SBK1:38.170Michel FabrizioDucati 1098R2010 Kyalami World SBK round
500cc1:39.952Wayne GardnerHonda NSR5001992 South African motorcycle Grand Prix
World SSP1:41.053Eugene LavertyHonda CBR600RR2009 Kyalami World SSP round
250cc1:42.094Max BiaggiAprilia RSV 2501992 South African motorcycle Grand Prix
125cc1:48.687Carlos Giró JrAprilia RS125R1992 South African motorcycle Grand Prix
Grand Prix Circuit (4th Configuration): 4.2606 km (1994–2009)
A1GP1:28.306Fairuz FauzyA1GP Powered by Ferrari car2008–09 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, South Africa
F30001:29.855[19]Kenny BräckReynard 94D1995 Birkin Cars/TVR Invitational Race
WSC1:34.776[20]Mauro BaldiFerrari 333 SP1998 2 h 30 min Kyalami
GP Masters1:36.390[21]Nigel MansellDelta Motorsport GP Masters car[22][23]2005 Kyalami Grand Prix Masters
LMP9001:36.756[24]Éric BernardLola B98/101999 SportsRacing World Cup Kyalami
World SBK1:42.178[25]Noriyuki HagaAprilia RSV 10002002 Kyalami World SBK round
LMP6751:43.070[26]Mark SmithsonPilbeam MP842000 Vodacom Speed Festival Kyalami
WesBank V8 Challenge1:46.230[26]Sarel van der MerweChevrolet Camaro2000 Vodacom Speed Festival Kyalami
World SSP1:46.975[27]James WhithamYamaha YZF-R62002 Kyalami World SSP round
Grand Prix Circuit (2nd Configuration): 3.888 km (1989–1991)
Group A1:46.975[28]Roland AschMercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evo21990 Yellow Pages 200
Grand Prix Circuit (1st Configuration): 4.104 km (1961–1988)
Formula One1:08.149Keke RosbergWilliams FW101985 South African Grand Prix
Group C11:11.170[29]Jochen MassPorsche 9561986 Southern Sun 500
Group 51:19.300[30]Gérard LarrousseMatra-Simca MS670C1974 Kyalami 6 Hours
Group 61:20.100[31]Mario AndrettiFerrari 312 PB1971 Kyalami 9 Hours
Group C21:20.680[32]Wayne TaylorTiga GC2871987 Kyalami Group C2 race
500cc1:24.910Freddie SpencerHonda NSR5001985 South African motorcycle Grand Prix
Group 41:25.340[33]Jochen MassBMW M11979 1000 km of Kyalami
250cc1:28.140Mario RademeyerYamaha TZ 2501985 South African motorcycle Grand Prix

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kyalami.

Notes

    References

    1. ↑ "Circuit Facts". Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
    2. ↑ service, Grandprix.com – First & fastest: The original online F1 news. "Grandprix.com". grandprix.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
    3. ↑ de Carli, Guido. "TRACKS: KYALAMI". gdecarli.it.
    4. ↑ "THREE-HOUR ENDURANCE RACE FOR HISTORIC CARS". Independent Online. 20 November 2008. Retrieved 23 February 2009.
    5. ↑ Ackroyd, Bianca. "Kyalami race track to go under the hammer". enca.com.
    6. ↑ "TimesLIVE". Sunday Times (Johannesburg).
    7. ↑ "Kyalami". Racing Circuits. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
    8. ↑ "Monza and Kyalami on 2020–2021 WEC calendar". GrandPrix247. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
    9. ↑ "WEC shelves winter calendar format for 2021". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
    10. ↑ "2021 FIA WEC provisional calendar revealed". www.fiawec.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
    11. ↑ "F1 closes in on deal for South African GP". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
    12. ↑ "2020 Kyalami 9 Hour Classification" (PDF). 12 December 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
    13. ↑ "2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge Kyalami 9 Hour Mobil1 V8 Series Race 2 - Classification - Amended" (PDF). 25 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
    14. 1 2 "2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge Kyalami 9 Hour Wild Rose Gin Sports & GT Race 2 - Classification" (PDF). 23 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
    15. 1 2 "2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge Kyalami BMW M Performance Parts Race Series Race 2 - Classification - Amended" (PDF). 25 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
    16. 1 2 "2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge Kyalami Global Touring Car and SupaCup Championships Race 1 - Classification" (PDF). 24 February 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
    17. ↑ "2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge Kyalami 9 Hour Investchem F1600 & FF Kent Race 2 - Classification" (PDF). 25 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
    18. ↑ "Speedhive". 24 August 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
    19. ↑ "1995 Kyalami F3000". Retrieved 1 May 2022.
    20. ↑ "2 h 30 min Kyalami 1998". Retrieved 7 August 2021.
    21. ↑ "2005 Kyalami Grand Prix Masters". Retrieved 20 April 2022.
    22. ↑ "THE HOTTEST SEAT IN MOTORSPORT' Grand Prix Masters launches 2-seater like no other - automobilsport.com". www.automobilsport.com.
    23. ↑ "2005 Reynard 2KI Grand Prix Masters | Monaco 2022".
    24. ↑ "2 h 30 min Kyalami 1999". Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    25. ↑ "Superbike Kyalami 5–6–7 April 2002 Results Race 2" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 7 April 2002. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    26. 1 2 "Vodacom Speed Festival Kyalami". Retrieved 19 May 2022.
    27. ↑ "Supersport Kyalami 5–6–7 April 2002 Results Race" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 7 April 2002. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
    28. ↑ "1990 Yellow Pages 200". Retrieved 20 May 2022.
    29. ↑ "Kyalami 500 Kilometres 1986". Retrieved 7 August 2021.
    30. ↑ "Kyalami 6 Hours 1974". Retrieved 19 May 2022.
    31. ↑ "Kyalami 9 Hours 1971". Retrieved 5 February 2023.
    32. ↑ "Group C2 Kyalami 1987". Retrieved 22 November 2022.
    33. ↑ "Kyalami 1000 Kilometres 1979". Retrieved 5 February 2023.
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