The Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit and the Sports Car Club of South Africa will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the legendary Kyalami 9-Hour race with a Historic Sports, GT, and Saloon Car meeting at the circuit on November 22, 2008.
While the first 9-hour was run at the old Grand Central in November 1958, the race switched to Kyalami when the original track opened in 1961, and thereafter the event became a regular fixture at the circuit.
The Kyalami 9-Hour was hugely popular with international drivers and was won by the very best sports car drivers over the years. Jacky Ickx, David Piper, Brian Redman, Dickie Attwood, Mario Andretti, Hans Stuck, Derek Bell, and Clay Regazzoni were just some of those who won the 9-hour over the years for the likes of Porsche, Ferrari, Matra, Mirage, and more.
The 50th anniversary 9-Hour meeting takes place at the legendary Kyalami circuit north of Johannesburg and will be organized by the Sports Car Club of South Africa.
Catering for Historic Sports, GT, and Saloon Racing Cars originally eligible to compete in the period 9-hour race split into Pre-’66, Pre-’77, and Pre-’86 classes, each class having two 10-lap races on Saturday before a 3-hour endurance race on Saturday afternoon.
Another added bonus for prospective international competitors looking for a spot of sun punctuated by a great historic racing opportunity is that the exact race program will be repeated in its entirety the following Saturday, November 29, at the classic East London Grand Prix Circuit.
The 9-Hour organizers are once again hoping to attract international entries. Prospective competitors can contact Glenn Rowden at glennmar@iafrica.com for more information and event regulations.
