20 replies to this topic

[tyrrellp34]

Which Circuit did they (F1) have in use back in 1967? I have heard that it was the one we know from 1968 until 1985 but a bit longer.

Can one send a photo or map to this thread?

[toprpm]

"Kyalami was originally built in 1961 as a 2.544 mile track 16 miles north of Johannesburg. The track was widened and resurfaced in 1968, the length being marginally extended to 2.55 miles. When some of the F1 teams boycotted the track in 1985, the circuit was heavily revised and rebuilt, using only part of the previous track. Subsequent F1 racing was been very processional since"

Source: http://www.silhouet....ks/kyalami.html

Map:

[Paul Taylor]

So, is anything of the old track remaining?

[bigears]

I doubt it.

The land of the old track was sold off for housing development.

[Jerry Lee]

Originally posted by Paul Taylor
So, is anything of the old track remaining?

In this picture from FORIX - http://www.forix.com...00&c=49&p=0&o=1

it sure doesn't look like it.

[Paul Taylor]

I'm not a member of Forix so I can't see the picture...

[quintin cloud]

Originally posted by Paul Taylor
So, is anything of the old track remaining?

The old straight that started at Leeukop Bend to Crowthorn Bend is still there but it now forms the main road to the Kyalami Bussiness park and is called Kyalami Blvd , At the Leeukop Bend there is still some of the corner left over as it turned to right on to the long striaght. The old enterrence to the track is still there and parts of the old
Crowthorn Bend on Barberque Bend can still be seen.

This map of the area should explain it better.

[pluto]

Kyalami was originally built in 1961 as a 2.544 mile track 16 miles north of Johannesburg. The track was widened and resurfaced in 1968, the length being marginally extended to 2.55 miles. When some of the F1 teams boycotted the track in 1985, the circuit was heavily revised and rebuilt, using only part of the previous track. Subsequent F1 racing was been very processional since"

How to ruin a superb track full of personality into a #%!*&#@
My only question is: Why?

[David Beard]

I visited the new Kyalami circuit five or six years ago when I found a Sunday off on a business trip. I noticed that an old pits complex existed on the circuit some way away from the one in use at that time. Was this old pits complex on a part of the circuit shared with the old one? I couldn't figure it out at the time.

[Felix]

David

A pit complex was built (in 1987) just after what is now Nashua - see TopRpm's map - which was where the star-finish straight was. Then, when the track got the 1992/3 grands prix, the circuit inspector decreed that the distance from start to Turn One (Sunset) was insufficient, or that the grid would curve around Nashua, so demanded that a new start/finish be established.

Thus the start was moved to the opposite straight, and a new pit complex erected. The previous pits serve as storage area for the owners (AA of SA), whilst the original (1967 - 1985) complex is loooong gone.

Pluto: simply, MONEY! When F1 refused to race in SA due to its political policies, Kyalami faced two options: bankrupcy or regroup. It regrouped by selling off that land which could be used for commercial building purposes, and retained that which was either to steep for economical building or sat on soft soil. A flat diagram does not do the topography justice, but, believe me, the gradient changes between Wesbank and Continental and the rest are considerable, and could not be used for building. Plus, there is marshy water in places, so no building was possible. These factors dictated the layout, whilst proceeds from usable land ensured that South Africa retained an international circuit.

[David Beard]

Thanks Felix...puzzle over

[pluto]

Thanks Felix.

[tyrrellp34]

Is it true, that they didn't destroy it?

[Felix]

Any track that has bowed to commercialism is destroyed in my opinion ... but at least a race facility was saved.

More importantly, though, is news just received: Kyalami has today been sold to a consortium backed by a major SA motor retailing group. Former Moto GP (as it is now known) world champion Jim Redman is involved, as are numerous other SA racing 'names'...

[quintin cloud]

I heard the news last night on TV and it votes well for South African motorsport.

[toprpm]

Originally posted by Felix
More importantly, though, is news just received: Kyalami has today been sold to a consortium backed by a major SA motor retailing group. Former Moto GP (as it is now known) world champion Jim Redman is involved, as are numerous other SA racing 'names'...

Some more information about this deal:

The Kyalami racing circuit, home of the South African Grand Prix for many years, has been sold for $7.1m. The new owners are a consortium of businessmen including both businessmen and property developers. It is expected that the circuit will continue to be managed by the new owners but that other parts of the facility will be redeveloped. One of the partners is the Imperial Group, a listed company which is involved in tourism, transportation, the motor trade, leasing, finance and property. The group also includes motorcycle champions Mike Fogg and Jim Redman, and Dave McGregor, a man who has played an important role in motor racing in South Africa for many years.

The track was previously owned by the Automobile Association of South Africa, which acquired the venue 11 years ago after financial problems surrounding the South Africa Grand Prix resulted in the collapse of the company which owned the circuit.

"The preservation of Kyalami as a world-renowned motorsport icon is of paramount importance to us.," says Mike Fogg. "At the same time we intend developing the property as a unique home for all facets of motoring, from the sport through to the retailing of motor vehicles. The track will remain central to the motoring theme."

Source: GrandPrix.com

[leeturne]

So Mr. McGregors managed to get back in there (involved with the last two f1 GP held there) , but IMHO Kyalami is now just a business park that happens to have a racetrack in the middle. Try going to Wesbank on a nice summers day. No shade, ass on the concerete seats, one guy selling cool drinks (and beer!) and a couple of stinking toilets. Look across the track and there are all the new corporate facilities inhabited by a bunch of pillocks who are there for the beer and food (and that didn't get an invite to the rugby). Anyway, rant over.

I was fortunate enough to work with and meet a lot of the old school racers (V8, Atlantics etc.) it's their stories that make the name Kyalami still mean something.

[humphries]

Whilst on holiday in South Africa a couple of years ago I visited the Kyalami circuit. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. It could have been Didcot or Swindon but even their business parks haven't got a fake castle overlooking them.

JH

[quintin cloud]

humphries if you are refering to the castle at the top of the circuit at the Wesbank corner, that is infact a prison, and it is called Leeukop prison.

[humphries]

Quintin

A prison ! Very ornamental. Someone I was with thought it was a millionaire's folly.

Nonetheless the old

[humphries]

Grandson just helped with the typing.
As I was about to type.....nonetheless the old circuit was really fanastic even though I had to use my memories from TV and imagine the scene.

John