Track Plans

Kyalami

Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit is situated just outside Johannesburg, South Africa, it's name meaning "my home" in Zulu. The circuit was built in 1961, and it is the original, sweeping 2½ mile layout which is featured below.

The circuit was popular right from the outset. It's proximity to Johannesburg, Pretoria and Witwatersrand meant events were well attended, and Kyalami quickly established itself as a regular venue on the national scene. The track went on to host the South African Grand Prix from 1967 through to 1985, and the race was part of the Formula One world championship in all but one of those years.

By the mid-80s the worsening political situation and increasing violence in the country led to the declaration of a state of emergency, and international motor racing turned its back on South Africa.

In 1988 the circuit was completely redesigned, funded by selling off half of the land on which the circuit was based. Nevertheless, the changing political situation and the end of apartheid, brought about the return of F1 in 1992 & 1993. However financial problems and the arrest of the race promoter on fraud charges meant the return was short lived

The track continued to host various national series, World Superbikes, and A1GP up until 2010, when the global recession meant investment, sponsorship and events dried up. However the track was bought in 2015 by the chairman of Porsche South Africa, and work commenced on one of the most significant upgrades in the circuit's history.

Kyalami is now the only motor racing facility on the African continent to achieve FIA accreditation as a Grade 2 race track, and international motorsport returned in November 2019, with the revival of the Kyalami 9 Hours, run as a round of the Interncontinental GT Challenge.