Update: What's happening at Kyalami?

Published Jul 24, 2015

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Johannesburg - Today, 24 July, it's exactly a year since racing driver and Porsche SA head honcho Toby Venter paid R205 million for the Kyalami Grand Prix circuit in one of South Africa's most dramatic property auctions.

Every motorsport enthusiast heaved a sigh of relief that the country's premier motorsport facility had been saved from the developers - but it was equally true that what Venter had inherited was not a going concern.

Too many 'quick fix' short-term solutions and too little maintenance and upkeep had allowed the circuit to deteriorate past the point of repair; if it was to regain its international status Kyalami needed major surgery.

Which is exactly what Venter promised us in May when he revealed plans for a lengthened, resurfaced circuit with better access, better spectator viewing, refurbished pits and upgraded conferencing facilities.

BUT IS HE WALKING THE TALK?

Just over two months into the project, the completion date has already been pushed back by about the same, to around the end of October - not because the project has fallen behind schedule, says Venter, but because around every corner (literally!) the scope of the work has increased.

It soon became obvious that the circuit needed more work on safety for both drivers and spectators.

All the debris fencing, safety barriers tyre and belting safety system around the whole circuit will have to be replaced; just the new-specification debris fencing is going to need more than 60km of steel cable, which has already been ordered.

All the gravel in the run-off areas will also be replaced and it's been decided - in consultation with the FIA - to add tarred run-off areas at Sunset and Ingwe corners.

SO, WHAT HAS BEEN DONE?

You can already see the new layout of the circuit in the photgraphs; the new kerbs are being laid, keeping pace with the preparation work on the new base layers. The boma demolition project is almost complete, the tar has been stripped from the remainder of the existing circuit and you can see where the new service roads will be.

Progress on the pit building has been less spectacular, however, although the plans for the upgrade have been finalised, after months of discussion with industry experts.

The plan is to extend the first floor over the paddock until it encloses the staircases behind a new façade that will stretch the whole length of the building. That will create space for new kitchens equipped to deal with big events and a viewing area at the west end that will have spectacular 270 degree views of Ingwe corner and the Johannesburg skyline.

All the ablution facilities, both upstairs in the conference facility and downstairs in the pits, will also be completely refurbished.

The work, which will cost close to R50 million, is scheduled to start in early August and should be finished in early 2016 - and the prize at stake is a full Grade II competition licence, certifying the circuit for everything except Formula One and allowing Kyalami once again to stage national and international race meetings.

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