Kyalami is undoubtedly the grand dame of SA motor racing venues. A few years ago the track fell into disrepair and, until it was bought by Toby Venter (director of LSM distributors, SA agent of Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche), the circuit faced an uncertain future.

Strength-to-strength

Since Venter acquired the track its future as a racing facility is far more secure. Not only has the circuit been revamped to FIA Grade 2 specification, Venter has been instrumental in bringing world-class racing back to this iconic venue. At a recent endurance event held at Spa Francorchamps in Belgium, Venter announced that the Kyalami 9-Hour would be revived in 2019.

For those too young to remember, the Kyalami 9-Hour endurance race was a major part of the South African motorsport calendar. The world-famous event ran from 1958 until 1973.

Famous names

The 9-hour, as it was known, featured sportscars and prototypes from the era, all vying for top honours. Local racers battled with the best from all over the world, often beating works teams from Europe by simply going the distance.

John Love and Dawie Gouws won the first 9-hour at Kyalami in 1961 in a Porsche Spyder. Legendary racer David Piper won six times in different Ferraris and a Porsche 917 sharing with Richard Attwood (three times). Jackie Ickx was a four-time winner and Reinhold Joest won twice in a Porsche 908 with Jochen Mass and Herbert Muller.

A new era

The 2019 Kyalami 9-Hour, which will take place from November 1-3 next year, is the season finale of the 2019 Intercontinental GT Challenge. The endurance series for production-based cars is now in its third year.

Adding Kyalami to the calendar expands the current calendar to five rounds with each taking place on a different continent. Other events are the 24 Hours of Spa, Bathurst 12 hours in Australia, the Suzuka 10 hours in Japan and the California 8 hours at Laguna Seca.

Click here to read our Monday Motorsport Round-up, which includes results from the recent 24 Hours of Spa.

In their own words

Explaining how the return to South Africa occurred, Stephane Ratel, of SRO Motorsports, which organises the Intercontinental GT Challenge, said: “I was with an old friend from South Africa and told him I would love to go to the new Kyalami and he said I should call Toby Venter, the owner of the track, which is what I did. I went to meet with Toby and saw the superb new circuit. I said it would be sad to have such a tool and no major international event and the deal was done!”

“We are delighted that the completely rebuilt Kyalami facility has been so well received by people in the top echelons of global motor racing and I am very pleased that the first big international race will see a return of the 9-hour endurance race that was such a favourite with fans and drivers in the past,” commented Toby Venter. “The overseas teams will also have the benefit of being able to stay on after the race to enjoy the wonderful holiday opportunities offered by our beautiful country.”