It is happening: Kyalami 9-Hour gets the green light

It is finally official: Kyalami will host the 2021 Intercontinental GT Challenge season finale on 2 to 4 December.

The Kyalami 9-Hour, hosted in partnership with the City of Johannesburg, will make a welcome return after successful rounds being hosted at the circuit in 2019 and 2020.

“Hosting this iconic race with spectators allowed is a timely boost to revive the South African economy that has been ravaged by the Coronavirus pandemic,” said Bongi Mokaba, City of Johannesburg Director for Event Management.

“We are delighted that the City of Johannesburg has been afforded the opportunity to host a major international motorsport event to affirm Joburg as a world-renowned host and South Africa as a tourist destination. After first joining the event last season, I am delighted the City of Johannesburg has committed to the Kyalami 9-Hour for another three years.

“I have no doubt that 2021’s IGTC season finale will prove just as memorable this December as the series’ two previous visits to Kyalami did in 2019 and ’20,” said Stéphane Ratel, SRO Motorsports Group Founder and CEO

The 9-Hour will once again draw some of the top international GT teams and drivers to Kyalami. As it is the final round of the 2021 Championship, the battle for title honours amongst the various participating manufactures is expected to provide thrilling racing.

It is also expected that several local teams, currently competing in the South African GT Championship, will enter the 9 Hour race adding local flavour to the event. The full entry list will  be released shortly.

The event will also see four local categories competing as support races with various championships to be decided at Kyalami. The support categories will include the SAGT Series, Global Touring Cars, the Volkswagen Polo Cup, BMW Racing Series and Mobil 1 V8 Supercars.

Practice for both the 9-Hour and support races will commence on Thursday2 December with support races and official qualifying for the 9-Hour being staged on the Friday. The race will have its traditional midday start on Saturday 4 December.

With the welcome recent announcement by government allowing limited spectator access to sporting events plans are currently being put in place to accommodate a limited number of spectators at the event. These plans, once finalised, will be formally announced with on-line ticket sales opening soon after.