[Image: Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit / Facebook]
As South Africa competes with Morocco and Rwanda to host the first Formula 1 race in Africa in over 30 years, Kyalami’s owner is spending R180 million to meet F1 specifications, but says he now needs government help to finish the upgrades.
Track owner Toby Venter wants Kyalami to meet international standards and has hired a British company called Apex Circuit Design to help with the changes.
The proposed FIA Grade 1 upgrade – which requires no change to the circuit layout – focuses on enhancing run-off areas, barrier systems, debris fencing, kerbs and drainage.
“This is a light-touch upgrade in engineering terms, but one that enhances the already excellent circuit standards to meet modern Grade 1 requirements.”
Venter bought Kyalami in 2014, but says the plan needs support from the state. A race promoter is ready, and they are talking to sponsors to raise R900-million to pay for the hosting fee.
The 4.5km Kyalami track, upgraded in 2016, currently holds FIA Grade 2 certification.
“We’ve committed to making Kyalami F1-ready. If we move fast and get a race, that will help pay for everything.”
The upgrade will take about three months if done all at once. The goal is to get the track approved by Formula 1’s world body, the FIA. Venter says he has received confirmation that the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has accepted the final design proposals to upgrade the Johannesburg-based circuit to Grade 1 status.
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, at the end of last year, announced a team of experts to form part of a Bid Steering Committee, which is lobbying for the return of F1 to South Africa.
Other cities like Cape Town also want to host, but the government has not said which one it will support.
“The government must get involved for this to happen,” Venter said. “Someone still needs to pay the entry fee.”
The Kyalami circuit was constructed in 1961. South Africa’s pleasant summer climate made it a favourite destination for European teams unable to compete on home turf owing to the winter off-season. By the mid-1970s, Kyalami had hosted 21 F1 Grand Prix races. Moto GP also visited the circuit from 1983 to 1985.
[Source: Scrolla & Engineering News]
