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Kyalami

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This article is about the motor racing circuit in Gauteng, South Africa. For other uses, see Kyalami (disambiguation).

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.

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; 63 years ago (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 record1:41.425 (South Africa Michael Stephen, [[Audi R8 LMS#Audi R8 LMS , 2023, Group LMS)
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)

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

  • The original layout in red built in 1961, 26 feet wide and measuring 4094m 
    The original layout in red built in 1961, 26 feet wide and measuring 4094m
  • The widened layout in red built in 1968, 36 feet wide and 40 feet from the Kink to Crowthorne and measuring 4104m 
    The widened layout in red built in 1968, 36 feet wide and 40 feet from the Kink to Crowthorne and measuring 4104m
  • Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit (1968–1988) 
    Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit (1968–1988)
  • Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit (1988–1991) 
    Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit (1988–1991)
  • Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit (1992–1993, 2009–2015) 
    Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit (1992–1993, 2009–2015)
  • Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit (1994–2008) 
    Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit (1994–2008)
  • Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit (2015–present) 
    Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit (2015–present)

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

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event
Grand Prix Circuit (5th Configuration): 4.529 km (2015–present)
Extreme Supercar Series 1:41.425[12] Michael Stephen Audi R8 LMS Ultimate Outlaws 2023 Kyalami Festival of Motoring
GT3 1:42.021[13] Matt Campbell Porsche 911 (991 II) GT3 R 2020 Kyalami 9 Hours
Sports car racing 1:47.167[14] Julian Fameliaris Chevrolet Corvette (C8) 2023 Kyalami Mobil1 V8 Series round
Group CN 1:47.188[15] Mikaeel Pitamber Ligier JS53 2023 Kyalami Wild Rose Gin Sports & GT round
Touring car racing 1:48.495[16] Paulo Loureiro BMW 335i 2023 Kyalami BMW M Performance Parts Race Series round
Superbike 1:50:026[17] Trevor Westman Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R 2022 Kyalami ZX10 Masters round
GTC 1:51.091[18] Saood Wariawa Toyota Corolla (E210) 2023 Kyalami Global Touring Car Championship round
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:51.774[15] Nicky Dicks Porsche 911 (991 II) GT3 Cup 2023 Kyalami Wild Rose Gin Sports & GT round
GT4 1:52.127[19] Joseph Ellerine Audi R8 LMS GT4 2023 Kyalami Extreme Supercars round
Formula Ford 1:53.152[20] Troy Dolinschek Mygale M13-SJ 2023 Kyalami Investchem F1600 round
SupaCup 1:54.958[18] Jonathan Mogotsi Volkswagen Polo VI 2023 Kyalami Global Touring Car Championship round
Super Touring 1:57.480[16] Andreas Meier BMW E36 STC 2023 Kyalami BMW M Performance Parts Race Series round
Grand Prix Circuit (3rd Configuration): 4.261 km (1992–1993 and 2009–2015)
Formula One 1:17.578 Nigel Mansell Williams FW14B 1992 South African Grand Prix
World SBK 1:38.170 Michel Fabrizio Ducati 1098R 2010 Kyalami World SBK round
500cc 1:39.952 Wayne Gardner Honda NSR500 1992 South African motorcycle Grand Prix
World SSP 1:41.053 Eugene Laverty Honda CBR600RR 2009 Kyalami World SSP round
250cc 1:42.094 Max Biaggi Aprilia RSV 250 1992 South African motorcycle Grand Prix
125cc 1:48.687 Carlos Giró Jr Aprilia RS125R 1992 South African motorcycle Grand Prix
Grand Prix Circuit (4th Configuration): 4.2606 km (1994–2009)
A1GP 1:28.306 Fairuz Fauzy A1GP Powered by Ferrari car 2008–09 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, South Africa
F3000 1:29.855[21] Kenny Bräck Reynard 94D 1995 Birkin Cars/TVR Invitational Race
WSC 1:34.776[22] Mauro Baldi Ferrari 333 SP 1998 2 h 30 min Kyalami
GP Masters 1:36.390[23] Nigel Mansell Delta Motorsport GP Masters car[24][25] 2005 Kyalami Grand Prix Masters
LMP900 1:36.756[26] Éric Bernard Lola B98/10 1999 SportsRacing World Cup Kyalami
World SBK 1:42.178[27] Noriyuki Haga Aprilia RSV 1000 2002 Kyalami World SBK round
LMP675 1:43.070[28] Mark Smithson Pilbeam MP84 2000 Vodacom Speed Festival Kyalami
WesBank V8 Challenge 1:46.230[28] Sarel van der Merwe Chevrolet Camaro 2000 Vodacom Speed Festival Kyalami
World SSP 1:46.975[29] James Whitham Yamaha YZF-R6 2002 Kyalami World SSP round
Grand Prix Circuit (2nd Configuration): 3.888 km (1989–1991)
Group A 1:46.975[30] Roland Asch Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evo2 1990 Yellow Pages 200
Grand Prix Circuit (1st Configuration): 4.104 km (1961–1988)
Formula One 1:08.149 Keke Rosberg Williams FW10 1985 South African Grand Prix
Group C1 1:11.170[31] Jochen Mass Porsche 956 1986 Southern Sun 500
Group 5 1:19.300[32] Gérard Larrousse Matra-Simca MS670C 1974 Kyalami 6 Hours
Group 6 1:20.100[33] Mario Andretti Ferrari 312 PB 1971 Kyalami 9 Hours
Group C2 1:20.680[34] Wayne Taylor Tiga GC287 1987 Kyalami Group C2 race
500cc 1:24.910 Freddie Spencer Honda NSR500 1985 South African motorcycle Grand Prix
Group 4 1:25.340[35] Jochen Mass BMW M1 1979 1000 km of Kyalami
250cc 1:28.140 Mario Rademeyer Yamaha TZ 250 1985 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. ^ Kelly, Brendan (28 August 2023). "New lap record for Michael Stephen at Kyalami". Herald Live. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  13. ^ "2020 Kyalami 9 Hour Classification" (PDF). 12 December 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  14. ^ "2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge Kyalami 9 Hour Mobil1 V8 Series Race 2 - Classification - Amended" (PDF). 25 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  15. ^ a b "2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge Kyalami 9 Hour Wild Rose Gin Sports & GT Race 2 - Classification" (PDF). 23 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  16. ^ a b "2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge Kyalami BMW M Performance Parts Race Series Race 2 - Classification - Amended" (PDF). 25 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  17. ^ "2022 Kyalami Festival of Motoring - Sunbet ZX10 Masters Cup - Race B1-2". 28 August 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  18. ^ a b "2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge Kyalami Global Touring Car and SupaCup Championships Race 1 - Classification" (PDF). 24 February 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  19. ^ "2023 Kyalami Festival of Motoring - G&H Transport Extreme Supercars - Race 2". 27 August 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  20. ^ "2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge Kyalami 9 Hour Investchem F1600 & FF Kent Race 2 - Classification" (PDF). 25 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  21. ^ "1995 Kyalami F3000". Motor Sport Magazine. 29 January 1995. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  22. ^ "2 h 30 min Kyalami 1998". 6 December 1998. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  23. ^ "2005 Kyalami Grand Prix Masters". Motor Sport Magazine. 13 November 2005. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  24. ^ "THE HOTTEST SEAT IN MOTORSPORT' Grand Prix Masters launches 2-seater like no other - automobilsport.com". www.automobilsport.com.
  25. ^ "2005 Reynard 2KI Grand Prix Masters | Monaco 2022".
  26. ^ "2 h 30 min Kyalami 1999". 28 November 1999. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  27. ^ "Superbike Kyalami 5–6–7 April 2002 Results Race 2" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 7 April 2002. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  28. ^ a b "Vodacom Speed Festival Kyalami". 26 November 2000. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  29. ^ "Supersport Kyalami 5–6–7 April 2002 Results Race" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 7 April 2002. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  30. ^ "1990 Yellow Pages 200". 18 November 1990. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  31. ^ "Kyalami 500 Kilometres 1986". 23 November 1986. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  32. ^ "Kyalami 6 Hours 1974". 9 November 1974. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  33. ^ "Kyalami 9 Hours 1971". 6 November 1971. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  34. ^ "Group C2 Kyalami 1987". 5 December 1987. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  35. ^ "Kyalami 1000 Kilometres 1979". 3 November 1979. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
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