With a reputation as two of South Africa’s most competitive and exciting racing series, the Falken Polo Cup and Motomart VW Challenge will combine for two thrilling races – one late on Friday afternoon and the second on Saturday morning ahead of the nine-hour start.
If that’s not enough, then how about the thrilling world of spinning and burning rubber as “Kasi Motorsport”, the true indigenous SA Car Spinning also comes to Kyalami on Friday, 22 November. The Soweto Drift 60 Minute Challenge, a concept by Soweto Drift Academy, will see six of South Africa’s finest car spinners push the famous BMW 325i (known as the Gusheshe) to its limits.
Crowd favorites such as, Bekzin, Eddie Boy, Veejaro, Mosotho, King Katra and Wothi Malume will perform roll backs, tyre bouncing, side-to-sides, power slides and target slides, with the most daring spinner and crowd favorite walking away with the biggest prize of the day, a rotating trophy, which the winner will defend annually.
During the pitch warming the Spinna LeBeema Gals will showcase the skills of Jalapeno, Stunt Queen, Gusheshe, Gush Lady and other SDA Spinners.
Speaking at the recent press conference, Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba said that this event is set to create around 17,000 jobs. Furthermore, the estimated financial stimulus into surrounding areas from visitors from abroad and nationwide is expected to be R75m.
“This is a momentous occasion and I am very excited that the city will host around 120,000 visitors during the race weekend from 21 to 23 November 2019,” said Mashaba.
“As the economic hub of South Africa – and home to top class facilities like the Kyalami circuit – the City of Johannesburg proudly endorses this highly anticipated event,” added Mashaba.
The CEO of Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, Toby Venter said: “My aim was to always bring major racing events like the Kyalami 9 hour to SA and we have succeeded in doing just that. This track is now the home of Motor Racing in SA.”
In honour of the history of the Kyalami 9 Hour – which first took place at the circuit in 1961 – classic and rare cars from the ‘60s and ‘70s, including Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Mercedes Benz and BMW, will be on display and take part in a circuit parade.
The organisers have catered for fans from all walks of life and of all ages who want to show off their driving skills. Those attending can drive Sodi karts around the Kyalami Dynamic Handling Circuit. Children aged three to 12 can hit the pedal in a Sodi Kid Racer (with space for an adult to sit behind and lend a hand where necessary) and anyone aged over 12 years of age can race for glory in a Sodi RT8 270cc.
Younger drivers can try out Sodi’s latest product, the electric Kid Racer, aimed at ages three and up. This separate track will be housed in the Kid Zone.
Speed combines with sound with an impressive musical lineup including Black Coffee, Shekinah, Prime Circle, Julian Gomes and Sun El Musician.
The first endurance races were held from 1958 to 1960 at a circuit at the Grand Central Airport near Midrand before moving to Kyalami in 1961. The event was a mainstay until the 1980s. The race was last staged in 1982 as part of the FIA World Sportscar Championship. Now, eight full-season manufacturers – Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Honda, Mercedes-AMG, Nissan and Porsche – are returning.
Driver David Piper will return to the Kyalami for November's nine-hour meeting with the very Ferrari 250LM he drove to victory in the 1964 Kyalami nine-hour race.
For more info go to kyalami9hour.com.
