When will new Kyalami be ready?

Published Apr 4, 2016

Share

Midrand - The refurbishment of the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit has taken almost a year, but it's now in its final stages, says circuit manager Denis Klopper.

Phase one, the redesign and upgrade of the circuit itself, is done and has in fact already hosted a couple of car launches.

The main straight has been lengthened to almost 900 metres (the circuit is now 4.552km long) and two new corners have been added at the end of the straight. The whole circuit has been resurfaced with a special grade of tar, and upgrades have been implemented to competitor, marshal and spectator safety, in accordance with FIA regulations - the circuit is now graded for anything short of a Formula One Grand Prix.

Also complete and ready to go is a whole new off-road venue, incorporate a variety of technical obstacles for driver training and 4x4 vehicle launches.

Kyalami drive: New all-wheel drive 911s

The rebuilding of the pits and convention centre - phase two of the project - is on course to be finished at the end of May 2016

It'll include the new Paddock Club, an air-conditioned hall with 2770 square metres of uninterrupted, flexible event space and nine-metre ceilings. It will also have large, fully equipped kitchens and new ablution facilities

The Paddock can be reached a grand staircase leading onto an 820 square metre covered viewing deck with wide views of the Johannesburg skyline - or by a new five-metre wide bridge, which means you'll be able to drive vehicles directly into the hall for shows and launches, or to offload event gear. Perhaps most important of all, it will also provide disabled access to every part of the pits building.

On the first floor, directly overlooking the start/finish line on the main straight, will be race control, along with two big boardrooms and four smaller conference rooms.

Up on what used to be the roof will a new 2100 square metre covered terrace, open on two sides, which should offer some breathtaking views.

And down at 'street' level in the pits there's going to be another display area, specially laid out for vehicle launches with direct access to pit lane and the circuit.

BUT WAIT - THERE'S MORE

Phase three is all about two new multi-function outdoor exhibition areas, with a combined area of 35 000 square metres. The lower level, which will also be used as dynamic driver training area, will include an irrigated skid surfaced with a special low-friction (read 'slippery when wet!') surface, so you can master slides and skids at very low, relatively safe speeds.

The upper level will be laid out as a 1.1 kilometre dynamic handling circuit with a variety of corners and gradients, which can also be split into two shorter circuits that can be used independently. A section of this circuit will also be irrigated for wet driver training - with wide, smooth run-off areas!

This final phase of the Kyalami Revival is also due to be finished at the end of May 2016.

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Related Topics: