Midrand - When Porsche South Africa CEO Toby Venter put in the winning bid of R205 million for the Kyalami circuit at auction in July 2014, he knew what he was getting into.
He is, after all, a seasoned racer with more laps of this circuit under his belt than most of us have had hot breakfasts.
The layout as it stood dated back to the early 1990s, with piecemeal changes over the years in sometimes misdirected attempts to address safety issues with as little capital expenditure as possible, and the circuit and its infrastructure had been allowed to run down over the years through lack of maintenance.
In fact the first thing he said at the time was that he wanted to improve the spectator facilities, with new viewing areas providing views of the action that only marshals and competitors could see before - and if that meant taking out some of the buildings in the centre circuit, so be it.
There would also have to be more spectator parking, he said, in properly surfaced areas, and a decent PA system so the fans could actually hear the commentary.
Cool, we said, but what about the track itself? The surface isn't up to international standards, and there are safety issues to address.
ASK THE MAIN MAN
So earlier this year Venter invited FIA safety delegate Charlie Whiting to inspect the circuit, point out safety problems that would prevent the circuit from being granted an international Grade 2 licence, and make suggestion for changes - big changes.
And this, after a lot of driving around, inspecting, debating and throwing about of ideas, is what they came up with:
To start with, the entire circuit will be resurfaced to international standards - that's a given.
Turn 1, the right-hand bend at the end of the pits, just after the start/finish line, will be straightened out a little and the main straight extended down past the entrance to the grounds, to create a straight almost 900 metres long, with an intimidating kink in the middle to sort out the manne from the wannabes.
The new section will include an underpass, directly opposite the main entrance, allowing access to the centre circuit and the pits without having to follow the narrow, twisty spectator access road all the way round.
The new straight will end with a tight, more than 90 degree left-hander (a real test of brakes - and nerves!) immediately followed by an uphill right-left sweep to rejoin the existing circuit at the existing Turn 4.
Here there will be a new pit entry lane, allowing safe entry to the original pits (dating back to the 1960s) which will be refurbished to serve as additional pits for major meetings, since there's no space to extend the main paddock in ether direction.
Turn 5, a seriously intimidating blind uphill left-hander, will be smoothed out and broadened to make it safer.
From that point there will be only minor changes through Sunset, Clubhouse, the Esses and Leeukop, until you get to the bottom of the Mineshaft, where the entire “Bowl” complex will be rebuilt with a wide right-hand bend leading in (great for overtaking on the brakes), a tight, slow centre section and a right-left sweep leading out to a fast, sharp right-hand kink almost directly above the old underpass.
That will replace the notorious chicane that cost motorcycle racer Brett Macleod his life and allow for a gentler, safer entry into the main pits, as well as a wider, less violent Turn 15, the final left-hander on to the main straight.
Sound like fun.
REVIVING THE OLD NAMES
Yes, the new circuit will be longer - about six seconds longer, Venter estimates. He's also delved into history and revived some of the original corner names: Turn 1 will become - officially - The Kink, Turn 2 will be Crowthorne, 3 and 4 the Jukskei Sweep, followed by Barbecue (the new Turn 5).
In addition, the Bowl complex will be renamed Crocodiles (because it will still bite the unwary!) the new right-hand Turn 14 will become Cheetah and the final left, Ingwe (the Zulu word for Leopard).
It's no secret that the only thing that kept the circuit alive for the past few years was the income from the conference centre and exhibition areas so, to keep that going, these areas will be renovated with new kitchens and toilets.
Work at Kyalami has already started, and Venter plans to re-open the circuit before the end of September.