Kyalami Explained

Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit (from Khaya lami, My home in Zulu) is a motor racing circuit located in Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa, just north of Johannesburg. The name Kyalami also commonly refers to the suburb where the race track is located. 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. The circuit was opened in 4 November 1961 with the race of Kyalami 9 Hours.^{[1] [2]} Its first major international event was in 1961 until political sanctions (due to apartheid policies) eliminated the Grand Prix after the 1985 race.^[3] The final race at the original circuit was held in 26 November 1988.

Original layout: 1961–1988

The clockwise track layout was based on a long straight with nine corners that had their naming inspired by a mix of local geography, South African cultural elements, and racing terminology. A lap started in close to the pit lane entrance on the Main Straight - a straight that lead downhill into the first bend.

1. Crowthorne Corner – A tight right-hander, being the first turn after the start-finish straight. The corner was named after the Crowthorne Hotel, located near this particular section of the circuit.
2. Barbecue Bend A second right-hand medium speed bend likely named after the tradition of South African barbecues (braais), which were often held near this section of the track during race events.
3. Jukskei Sweep This was a long, fast left-hand curve, named for the Jukskei River, which runs near the track. The river itself is named after the traditional Afrikaaner game of Jukskei (similar to horse-shoes), which was played by early settlers.^[4]
4. Sunset Bend A fast right-hander considered one of the iconic corners on the track. It was so named because the corner often forced drives to face the setting sun while navigating this section of the track.
5. Clubhouse Bend A 90-degree left-hander named after the motorsport clubhouse that was located at this bend on the track.
6. Esses 1 Bend one: initial left-hander.
7. Esses 2. Right-handed 90-degree bend, leading to steep uphill into turn 8.
8. Leeukop Bend Leeukop was a tight right-hand hairpin that led onto the initial part of the long straight. This corner was named after Leeukop hill (Lion’s Head), a common and prominent geographical naming feature in South African topography. It also referred to the Leeukop Prison that was located behind the hill on adjacent land.
9. The Kink This was a right deviation in the track splitting the main straight into two sections.

Revised layout: 1989 to present

When the circuit was rebuilt in 1989 as part of a commercial development, Leeukop Bend, the Kink, Pit lane, the start/finish straight, Crowthorne Corner and Barbecue 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.^[5] 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.^[6] On 6 June 2014, it was announced that Kyalami would be auctioned off on 24 July without reserve.^[7] On 24 July 2014, it was auctioned off for R205 million. The winning bidder was Toby Venter, owner of Porsche South Africa.^[8] R100 million was invested to upgrade the circuit, allowing it to successfully obtain an FIA Grade 2 status.^[9]

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.^[10] However, after the calendar was revised due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kyalami was removed.^{[11] [12]}

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.^[13]

Events

Current

• July: South African Endurance Series Kyalami 4 Hours
• November: South African Endurance Series Kyalami 9 Hours

Former:

• A1 Grand Prix
  • 2008–09 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, South Africa (2009)
• Birkin Cars/TVR Invitational Race (1995)
• Formula One
  • South African Grand Prix (1967–1985, 1992–1993)
• Grand Prix Masters (2005)
• Grand Prix motorcycle racing
  • South African motorcycle Grand Prix (1983–1985, 1992)
• Intercontinental GT Challenge
  • Kyalami 9 Hours (2019–2020, 2022–2023)
• Rand Grand Prix (1961–1965)
• South African Formula Atlantic Championship (1976–1979)
• South African Formula One Championship (1961–1975)
• South African Springbok Championship Series
  • Kyalami 9 Hours (1965–1973)
• Sidecar World Championship (2000, 2002)
• Sports Racing World Cup
  • Vodacom Festival of Motor Racing (1998–2000)
• Superbike World Championship
  • Kyalami Superbike World Championship round (1998–2002, 2009–2010)
• Supersport World Championship (1998–1999, 2002, 2009–2010)
• Superstars Series (2009–2010)
• World Sportscar Championship
  • Kyalami 1000 km (1974, 1983–1984)

Lap records

As of December 2024, the fastest official race lap records of the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit are listed as:

Category	Time	Driver	Vehicle	Event
Grand Prix Circuit (6th Configuration): 4.529 km (2015–present)[14]
	1:40.303[15] [16]	Jonathan Thomas		2024 Kyalami 9 Hours
	1:41.425[17]	Michael Stephen		2023 Kyalami Festival of Motoring
	1:47.188[18]			2023 Kyalami Wild Rose Gin Sports & GT round
	1:47.562[19]	Clinton Seller		2024 2nd Kyalami ZX10 Masters round
	1:48.495[20]			2023 Kyalami BMW M Performance Parts Race Series round
	1:50.256[21]	Michael Stephen	BMW 128TC[22]	2024 Kyalami Global Touring Car Championship round
	1:51.774			2023 Kyalami Wild Rose Gin Sports & GT round
	1:51.927[23]			2024 Kyalami Investchem F1600 round
	1:52.127[24]			2023 Kyalami Extreme Supercars round
	1:54.958[25]			2023 Kyalami Global Touring Car Championship round
	1:57.480			2023 Kyalami BMW M Performance Parts Race Series round
	2:07.105[26]	Alex Shahini		2024 Kyalami Gazoo Racing SA Cup round
Grand Prix Circuit (4th Configuration): 4.261 km (1992–1993 and 2009–2015)
	1:17.578			1992 South African Grand Prix
	1:38.170			2010 Kyalami World SBK round
	1:39.952			1992 South African motorcycle Grand Prix
	1:41.053			2009 Kyalami World SSP round
	1:42.094			1992 South African motorcycle Grand Prix
	1:48.687			1992 South African motorcycle Grand Prix
Grand Prix Circuit (5th Configuration): 4.2606 km (1994–2009)
	1:28.306			2008–09 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, South Africa
	1:29.855[27]			1995 Birkin Cars/TVR Invitational Race
	1:34.776[28]			1998 2 h 30 min Kyalami
	1:36.390[29]		Delta Motorsport GP Masters car[30] [31]	2005 Kyalami Grand Prix Masters
	1:36.756[32]			1999 SportsRacing World Cup Kyalami
	1:42.178[33]			2002 Kyalami World SBK round
	1:43.070[34]			2000 Vodacom Speed Festival Kyalami
	1:46.230			2000 Vodacom Speed Festival Kyalami
	1:46.975[35]			2002 Kyalami World SSP round
Grand Prix Circuit (3rd Configuration): 3.888 km (1989–1991)
	1:30.660[36]			1990 Yellow Pages 200
Grand Prix Circuit (2nd Configuration): 4.104 km (1968–1988)
	1:08.149			1985 South African Grand Prix
	1:11.170[37]			1986 Southern Sun 500
	1:19.300[38]			1974 Kyalami 6 Hours
	1:20.100[39]
	1:20.680[40]			1987 Kyalami Group C2 race
	1:22.970[41]			1973 Highveld 100
	1:24.910			1985 South African motorcycle Grand Prix
	1:25.340[42]			1979 1000 km of Kyalami
	1:27.400[43]			1975 1000 km of Kyalami
	1:28.140			1985 South African motorcycle Grand Prix
Original Grand Prix Circuit (1st Configuration): 4.094 km (1961–1967)
	1:27.600[44]			1967 Rand Spring Trophy
	1:39.100[45]			1961 Rand Grand Prix

See also

• Francis Tucker
• List of Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit fatalities

External links

• Map and circuit history at RacingCircuits.info
• Kyalami Marshals Association
• Satellite picture by Google Maps
• Kyalami Kart Circuit
• Shelby Can-Am

Notes and References

1. Web site: Kyalami - Circuit Facts . Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit . 1 December 2019.
2. Web site: Kyalami - Circuit History . Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit . 20 April 2025.
3. Web site: Kyalami . grandprix.com.
4. Web site: Accurate original Kyalami layout picture? . 22 July 2006 . 20 April 2025.
5. Web site: TRACKS: KYALAMI. Guido. de Carli. gdecarli.it. 24 May 2012. 3 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225703/http://www.gdecarli.it/php/circuit.php?var1=713&var2=2. dead.
6. News: THREE-HOUR ENDURANCE RACE FOR HISTORIC CARS. 20 November 2008. Independent Online. 23 February 2009.
7. Web site: Kyalami race track to go under the hammer. Bianca. Ackroyd. enca.com.
8. Web site: TimesLIVE. Sunday Times (Johannesburg).
9. Web site: Kyalami - Racing Circuits . RacingCircuits.info . 11 December 2019.
10. Web site: Monza and Kyalami on 2020–2021 WEC calendar . GrandPrix247 . 12 December 2019 . 12 December 2019.
11. Web site: WEC shelves winter calendar format for 2021. www.motorsport.com. en. 19 March 2021.
12. Web site: 2021 FIA WEC provisional calendar revealed. 19 March 2021. www.fiawec.com. en.
13. News: F1 closes in on deal for South African GP . en-GB . BBC Sport . 13 June 2022.
14. Web site: Kyalami - Motor Sport Magazine . . 20 April 2025.
15. Web site: De Kock . Andre . Kyalami 9-Hour ends 2024 racing calendar on a action-packed note . 1 December 2024 . 20 April 2025.
16. Web site: 2024 3 and 9 Hrs of Kyalami - SAES 9-Hour - Classification . 1 December 2024 . 20 April 2025.
17. Web site: Kelly . Brendan . New lap record for Michael Stephen at Kyalami . Herald Live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230829075235/https://www.heraldlive.co.za/sport/2023-08-28-new-lap-record-for-michael-stephen-at-kyalami/ . 28 August 2023 . 29 August 2023 . 5 August 2024 . live.
18. Web site: 2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge - Kyalami 9 Hour - Wild Rose Gin Sports & GT - Race 2 - Classification . 23 February 2023 . 26 February 2023.
19. Web site: 2024 Kyalami Festival of Motoring - Sunbet ZX10 Masters Cup - Round 8 Race 1 . 1 September 2024 . 20 April 2025.
20. Web site: 2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge - Kyalami 9 Hour - BMW M Performance Parts Race Series - Race 2 - Classification - Amended . 25 February 2023 . 26 February 2023.
21. Web site: 2024 National and Regional Extreme Festival - South African Touring Cars incl. SupaCup - Race 1 . 13 April 2024 . 20 April 2025.
22. Web site: Champion Stephen Returns To SATC At Kyalami . 8 April 2024 . 20 April 2025.
23. Web site: 2024 National and Regional Extreme Festival - Investchem F1600 incl. Formula Ford Kent - Race 1 . 13 April 2024 . 20 April 2025.
24. Web site: 2023 Kyalami Festival of Motoring - G&H Transport Extreme Supercars - Race 2 . 27 August 2023 . 1 June 2024.
25. Web site: 2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge - Kyalami 9 Hour - Global Touring Car and SupaCup Championships - Race 1 - Classification . 24 February 2023 . 6 August 2023.
26. Web site: 2024 National and Regional Extreme Festival - Gazoo Racing SA Cup - Race 1 . 13 April 2024 . 20 April 2025.
27. Web site: 1995 Kyalami F3000 . . 29 January 1995 . 1 May 2022.
28. Web site: 2 h 30 min Kyalami 1998 . 6 December 1998 . 7 August 2021.
29. Web site: 2005 Kyalami Grand Prix Masters . . 13 November 2005 . 20 April 2022.
30. Web site: THE HOTTEST SEAT IN MOTORSPORT' Grand Prix Masters launches 2-seater like no other - automobilsport.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20070131105713/http://www.automobilsport.com/gp-masters-grand-prix-2-seater-like-no-other-600-brake-horsepower-fireproof-nomex-kevlar-powered-nicholson-mclaren-cosworth-qatar-april-silverstone-nick-carpenter---13116.html. usurped. 31 January 2007. www.automobilsport.com.
31. Web site: 2005 Reynard 2KI Grand Prix Masters | Monaco 2022.
32. Web site: 2 h 30 min Kyalami 1999 . 28 November 1999 . 29 January 2023.
33. Web site: Superbike - Kyalami 5–6–7 April 2002 - Results Race 2 . World Superbike . . 7 April 2002 . 29 January 2023.
34. Web site: Vodacom Speed Festival Kyalami . 26 November 2000 . 19 May 2022.
35. Web site: Supersport - Kyalami 5–6–7 April 2002 - Results Race . World Superbike . . 7 April 2002 . 7 August 2021.
36. Web site: 1990 Yellow Pages 200 . 18 November 1990 . 20 May 2022.
37. Web site: Kyalami 500 Kilometres 1986 . 23 November 1986 . 7 August 2021.
38. Web site: Kyalami 6 Hours 1974 . 9 November 1974 . 19 May 2022.
39. Web site: Kyalami 9 Hours 1971 . 6 November 1971 . 5 February 2023.
40. Web site: Group C2 Kyalami 1987 . 5 December 1987 . 22 November 2022.
41. Web site: IV Highveld 100 . 27 January 1973 . 20 April 2025.
42. Web site: Kyalami 1000 Kilometres 1979 . 3 November 1979 . 5 February 2023.
43. Web site: 1975 Wynn’s 1000 km Kyalami . 1 November 1975 . 20 April 2025.
44. Web site: VII Rand Spring Trophy . 7 October 1967 . 20 April 2025.
45. Web site: IV Rand Grand Prix . 9 December 1961 . 20 April 2025.