Porsche wins Kyalami 9 Hour

The Kyalami 9 Hour, which returned to South Africa after a 37-year hiatus, took place during a mostly bright, warm and dry day but that dramatically changed during the evening when the heavy rainfalls turned the track into what looked like a river and resulted in a two-hour-long Safety Car period. Normal racing briefly resumed before the chequered flag confirmed the victory of the Porsche from Frikadelli Racing. The 911 GT3 R, piloted by Olsen, Nick Tandy and Mathieu Jaminet also secured the fastest lap of the 259 lap race, the manufacturers’ championship and Olsen the drivers’ championship title.

One of the highlights of the event was seeing familiar South African names piloting cars from both international and local teams although sadly the Team Perfect Circle, Porsche 997 GT3 R and the Stradale Motorsport, Lamborghini Huracan GT3 did not classify at the conclusion of the event, the Pablo Clark, Ferrari 458 GT3, piloted by Kishoor Pitamber, Michael Stephen and Lee Thompson won its class after 246 laps completed over the 9 hour race.

Class winners:

Pro: Frikadelli Racing Team (DEU) Porsche 911 GT3 R – Mathieu JAMINET (FRA) / Dennis OLSEN (NOR) / Nick TANDY (GBR)

Silver: Lechner Racing (AUT) Porsche 911 GT3 R – Saul HACK (ZAF) / Lars KERN (DEU) / Dylan PEREIRA (LUX)

ProAm: Strakka Racing (GBR) Mercedes-AMG GT3 – Christina NIELSEN (DNK) / Adrian Henry D SILVA (MYS) / Dominik BAUMANN (AUT)

Am: Walkenhorst Motorsport (DEU) BMW M6 GT3 – Henry WALKENHORST (DEU) / Michael Van ROOYEN (ZAF) / Gennaro BONAFEDE (ZAF)

National: Pablo Clark Racing (ZAF) Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 – Kishoor PITAMBER (ZAF) / Leonard Charles THOMPSON (ZAF) / Michael STEPHEN (ZAF)