Sandton’s motor racing legacy

The streets of Sandton are not unfamiliar to the crackle and pop of a Formula 1 racing car’s exhaust, but few know that in the 1930s, the roar of racing cars could be heard for miles, in what is today the suburb of Kelvin, Sandton.

Kyalami is the first name that springs to most minds when discussing motorsport in Johannesburg. Some might bring up the name, Zwartkops, but these racetracks were all built in the early 1960s.

Until 1936, the area now known as Kelvin was farmland and it included the farms of Lombardy and Bergvlei. In 1936 the South African Motor Racing Company was formed by enthusiasts who wanted a race track near Johannesburg in order to promote their sporting activities.

Between 1936 and 1937 a 2.5-mile racetrack was built on a 195ha site, at the substantial cost of £32 000, which had its centre at the present junction of Sunnyway and Fairway. The land was bought for £13 244.22 from Michele Angelo Zoccola and comprised portions of the farms Lombardy and Bergvlei. The racetrack development was financed by Sir Ernest Oppenheimer, FA Unger and others, and was named, The Lord Howe Circuit, commemorating the racing driver son of the Earl of Athlone, who had been Governor-General of South Africa between 1923 and 1931.

The first Grand Prix was held on 30 January 1937. There were 20 entries, including Lord Howe who came 8th in the race, which was watched by 40 000 spectators. Later that year, the circuit had been altered and the more dangerous curves straightened out and the second Grand Prix was held on 16 December. A newspaper report of the time stated that ‘all entries are capable of 100mph (160km/h) and that the South African drivers would mount excellent resistance to the overseas challenge!

On this occasion, 65 000 people attended, but despite the enormous interest, the lack of road access spelled doom to the continuing existence of the racetrack. It took more than six hours for people to return to their homes in Johannesburg after the race and this meant the end for The Lord Howe Circuit.

It was decided that the racetrack would be converted into a residential township with properties of about 2ha, which could be used as weekend retreats for people from Johannesburg with horse riding and country interests. The three farm portions, which comprised the racetrack, were consolidated into a farm called Kelvin Grove. This name was, however, rejected by the post office, fearing confusion with Orange Grove, which was fairly close by and so, Kelvin, it became.

Sections of this story were compiled by Ted Steyn, the piece appeared in the 1992 annual magazine of the Sandton Historical Association.

Details: theheritageportal.co.za