Kyalami Circuit gets ready to start its engines

Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba handed over the City of Johannesburg’s formal endorsement letter to the organisers of endurance race, the Kyalami 9 Hour at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit on 1 October.

This world-class international motorsport event returns to South Africa as the finale of the global GT3 (Gran Turismo) championship. This year’s event is set to create about

17 000 jobs. Furthermore, the estimated financial stimulus into surrounding areas from visitors from abroad and nationwide is expected to be R75 million. From Gauteng residents specifically, this number is an expected R40 million.

“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,” Mashaba said in a statement.

“The Kyalami 9 Hour will not only relaunch international motorsport in South Africa, but also remind the world that Johannesburg is not merely a stopover destination.”

As the economic hub of South Africa, and home to top class facilities such as the Kyalami circuit, the City of Johannesburg has proudly endorsed this highly anticipated event, added Mashaba.

The city continues to place itself firmly as a major player on the world stage and this is cemented by iconic events such as these being hosted here. The event will also draw 60 to 100 small food vendors to cater at the event.

“In addition to the above, through partnering with the Kyalami 9 Hour, the City hopes to introduce a dynamic legacy programme that will see a medium and long term investment into education and infrastructure. This will be done through hubs aimed at motor mechanics skills development in previously forgotten areas.

“I look forward to attending the Kyalami 9 Hour event and encourage residents to come out in their numbers to support this exciting event,” he concluded.

Related Article: 

Kyalami Equestrian Park yet again to host the greatest showjumping extravaganza, SA Derby