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Kyalami

Coordinates: 25°59′52.9″S 28°4′08.1″E / 25.998028°S 28.068917°E / -25.998028; 28.068917
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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Davism0703 (talk | contribs) at 09:53, 22 November 2022 (→Lap records). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

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

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′52.9″S 28°4′08.1″E / 25.998028°S 28.068917°E / -25.998028; 28.068917
Capacity100,000
FIA Grade2[N 1]
OwnerToby Venter (2014–present)
Broke ground1961
Opened4 November 1961; 63 years ago (1961-11-04)[1]
Major eventsCurrent:
Intercontinental GT Challenge
Kyalami 9 Hours (2019–2020, 2022–2023)
Former:
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 (991) 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 (1988–1991)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length3.888 km (2.416 miles)
Turns11
Race lap record1:30.660[2] (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 in use from 1961 until political sanctions (due to apartheid policies) eliminated the Grand Prix after the 1985 race.[3] 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.[4] 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.[5] On 6 June 2014, it was announced that Kyalami would be auctioned off on 24 July without reserve.[6] On 24 July 2014, it was auctioned off for R205 million. The winning bidder was Toby Venter, owner of Porsche South Africa.[7] R100 million was invested to upgrade the circuit, allowing it to successfully obtain an FIA Grade 2 status.[8]

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

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)

A lap in a GT3 car

A few hundred metres after the start/finish line, the first corner The Kink, a full throttle right handed kink, awaits. Barrelling further down the straight at full throttle, the second corner, named Crowthorne awaits. The typical braking point is around the 100-metre board. A second gear left-handed corner, it tightens before opening up on exit, setting the driver up for turns 3 and 4. The Jukskei Sweep as these corners were dubbed after the re-design, are a flat-out right-hander followed by a flat-out left handed kink throwing the driver into the braking zone for turn 5. Barbeque is a second gear left-handed corner which takes the driver onto the line of the classic circuit layout. Utilising the kerb on the exit of Barbeque is necessary as the driver has a short straight to prepare for turn 6. The driver would wait until after the 50-metre board before lifting off the throttle and dipping on the brakes through the quick right-hander known as Sunset, one of only four corners left as they were in the first layout. A short burst of throttle is followed by braking at the 50-metre board for turn 7, Clubhouse, a slow left-hander typically taken in second gear. Once again utilising the exit kerb, the driver barrels down a short straight before braking, again at the 50-metre board, for turn 8. Turns 8 and 9, known as The Esses, are the final corners left over from the first layout. 8 is a medium-speed left hander typically taken in third gear, dipping the driver downhill before the car is flicked right into turn 9. Acceleration is key as the driver rejoins the new layout, going uphill before having to brake roughly 50 metres for the blind tenth corner, known as Leeukop. The driver typically decelerates and shifts down the gears to second or first gear, meeting the apex of the corner before accelerating through turn 11. The back straight lasts for a few hundred metres before the driver approaches turn 12, a flat-out left hander known as Mineshaft. Spotting a braking point for turn 13, the first corner of The Crocodiles, can be hard, as it is an off-camber right handed turn which can be taken with several different lines. Turn 14 is little more than the full throttle exit of turn 13, and sets the driver up for turn 15. Cheetah is a tight right hander which the driver typically only needs to lift off the throttle for. It's important to carry speed through it, before spotting a braking point for the final corner. Ingwe is a slow left-hander which sends the driver back onto the start–finish straight to complete the lap.[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]

Lap records

The official race lap records of the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Date
GP Circuit (5th Configuration): 4.529 km (2015–present)
GT3 1:42.021[14] Matt Campbell Porsche 911 (991) GT3 R 2020 Kyalami 9 Hours
GT4 1:54.392[15] Mikaeel Pitamber Audi R8 LMS GT4 2021 Kyalami 9 Hours
GP 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
GP Circuit (4th Configuration): 4.2606 km (1994–2009)
A1 GP 1:28.306 Fairuz Fauzy A1GP Powered by Ferrari car 2008–09 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, South Africa
F3000 1:29.855[16] Kenny Bräck Reynard 94D 1995 Birkin Cars/TVR Invitational Race
WSC 1:34.776[17] Mauro Baldi Ferrari 333 SP 1998 2 h 30 min Kyalami
GP Masters 1:36.390[18] Nigel Mansell Delta Motorsport GP Masters car[19][20] 2005 Kyalami Grand Prix Masters
World SBK 1:42.178[21] Noriyuki Haga Aprilia RSV 1000 2002 Kyalami World SBK round
LMP675 1:43.070[22] Mark Smithson Pilbeam MP84 2000 Vodacom Speed Festival Kyalami
WesBank V8 Challenge 1:46.230[22] Sarel van der Merwe Chevrolet Camaro 2000 Vodacom Speed Festival Kyalami
World SSP 1:46.975[23] James Whitham Yamaha YZF-R6 2002 Kyalami World SSP round
GP 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[24] Jochen Mass Porsche 956 1986 Southern Sun 500
Group 5 1:19.300[25] Gérard Larrousse Matra-Simca MS670C 1974 Kyalami 6 Hours
Group C2 1:20.680[26] Wayne Taylor Tiga GC287 1987 Kyalami Group C2 race
500cc 1:24.910 Freddie Spencer Honda NSR500 1985 South African motorcycle Grand Prix
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

  1. ^ Kyalami's Grade 2 licence expired 18 August 2022.

References

  1. ^ "Circuit Facts". Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  2. ^ "1990 Yellow Pages 200". Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  3. ^ service, Grandprix.com – First & fastest: The original online F1 news. "Grandprix.com". grandprix.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ de Carli, Guido. "TRACKS: KYALAMI". gdecarli.it.
  5. ^ "THREE-HOUR ENDURANCE RACE FOR HISTORIC CARS". Independent Online. 20 November 2008. Retrieved 23 February 2009.
  6. ^ Ackroyd, Bianca. "Kyalami race track to go under the hammer". enca.com.
  7. ^ "TimesLIVE". Sunday Times (Johannesburg).
  8. ^ "Kyalami". Racing Circuits. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  9. ^ "Monza and Kyalami on 2020–2021 WEC calendar". GrandPrix247. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  10. ^ "WEC shelves winter calendar format for 2021". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  11. ^ "2021 FIA WEC provisional calendar revealed". www.fiawec.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  12. ^ "One lap at Kyalami in the Aston GT3". YouTube. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  13. ^ "F1 closes in on deal for South African GP". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  14. ^ "2020 Kyalami 9 Hour Classification" (PDF). Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  15. ^ "2021 Joburg Kyalami 9 Hour Classification" (PDF). Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  16. ^ "1995 Kyalami F3000". Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  17. ^ "2 h 30 min Kyalami 1998". Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  18. ^ "2005 Kyalami Grand Prix Masters". Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  19. ^ https://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
  20. ^ "2005 Reynard 2KI Grand Prix Masters | Monaco 2022".
  21. ^ "2002 Superbike World Championship Kyalami Session Facts". Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  22. ^ a b "Vodacom Speed Festival Kyalami". Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  23. ^ "Supersport Kyalami 5–6–7 April 2002 Results Race" (PDF). Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  24. ^ "Kyalami 500 Kilometres 1986". Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  25. ^ "Kyalami 6 Hours 1974". Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  26. ^ "Group C2 Kyalami 1987". Retrieved 22 November 2022.
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