Latest news with #TobyVenter
NDTV
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
South Africa Moves Closer To Hosting Formula One Race
Toby Venter, owner of the Kyalami Grand Prix circuit near Johannesburg, said on Wednesday that plans to upgrade the track to Formula One standards had been approved by the controlling body. He told reporters the venue that last hosted a F1 race in 1993 had been given the green light by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) to implement design proposals. "Today, we turn the page to a bold new chapter for Kyalami. We are ready for the return of Formula One to African soil," said Venter. "When we acquired Kyalami in 2014, we made a commitment to restore it, not just as a world-class venue, but as a beacon for motorsport across Africa. "The acceptance by the FIA of our grade one design is a major step forward in that journey," added Venter, an importer of luxury vehicles. Kyalami and Cape Town in South Africa, Rwanda and Morocco have expressed interest in bringing F1 racing back to Africa. The British company charged with doing the upgrades said they were "minor", and could be completed within three months. FIA has given Kyalami a three-year deadline for completion. Upgrades, which will not change the 4.5 kilometre (2.8 miles) circuit layout, include enhancing run-off areas and barriers. "The proposed FIA grade one upgrade focuses on enhancing run-off areas, barrier systems, debris fencing, kerbs, and drainage," a company spokesman said. "This is a light-touch upgrade in engineering terms, but one that enhances the already excellent circuit standards to meet modern grade one requirements." More spectator zones and grandstands have also been earmarked as part of a bigger upgrade, leaving Kyalami as the only grade one certified venue in Africa. Kyalami has hosted 21 F1 Grands Prix, the last in 1993 won by Alain Prost for Williams. The annual event was discontinued because it proved too costly for the then owners to host.
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Hindu
F1: South Africa's Kyalami circuit says FIA has approved upgrades paving way for Formula One
Formula 1 could be a step closer to holding a race in Africa again after the owner of the Kyalami circuit in South Africa said Wednesday that the sport's governing body had approved upgrades to the track. A statement from the circuit said that the FIA had 'accepted final design proposals' for work which would upgrade Kyalami from the FIA's Grade 2 to the Grade 1 status required for F1. It added that Kyalami has been given three years to complete the upgrades and that 'selected works' will be carried out only once Kyalami has been selected to host F1. 'Today, we turn the page to a bold new chapter for Kyalami. We are ready for the return of Formula 1 to African soil,' circuit owner Toby Venter said. Kyalami hosted the most recent F1 race in Africa in 1993 but other countries are also interested in bringing the series back to the continent. Rwanda is working on its own project and Morocco reportedly has plans too.
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Kyalami closer to hosting F1, but government ‘not playing its part'
Circuit boss Toby Venter says SA government not following example set all over the world. An artistic impression of the Kyalami Grand Prix circuit hosting an F1 race with new stands and hospitality areas around the track. Picture: Supplied South Africa is one step closer to hosting a Formula One Grand Prix. But Kyalami Grand Prix circuit owner Toby Venter has put a damper on celebrations, citing a lack of commitment from government. Venter announced on Wednesday that the FIA has approved the proposed upgrades Kyalami requires to host a Formula One race for the first time since 1993 and has been granted a three-year window to comply. He is confident the upgrades, for which the circuit will foot the bill – estimated to be between R90- and R180-million – and set to take three months, can be completed before the end of the year. But Venter stopped short of predicting a date for F1's big return, saying that 'government needs to engage with Formula One to make it happen like they do all over the world'. This, according to the Kyalami boss, is something that is required in addition to the Bid Steering Committee set up by Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, which must consider bids for the F1 race. ALSO READ: Kyalami or Cape Town? Race to host SA F1 Grand Prix revs up Government 'must engage' 'The Bid Steering Committee is doing its work and we can't speak on its behalf. But unfortunately, for this to go forward government has to engage a Formula One map,' said Venter. 'That has not happened yet. Other countries have taken the lead around the world, where the government has paid a deposit to Formula One management in entering a memorandum of understanding. We are waiting for government to play its part.' Other local bids are expected to come from Cape Town and Wakanda Smart City, while Rwanda has also expressed its intentions of being the first to bring F1 back to Africa. 'Kyalami is the most recognisable and event-ready circuit on the African confident. No other circuit on the African continent can lay claim to a fraction of the motorsport history of Kyalami,' added Venter. Rich Kyalami F1 history 'The track hosted 21 Grands Prix from 1967 to 1993. Its list of winners includes Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Jim Clark and our very own Jody Scheckter.' The 16-corner 4.529km layout underwent a huge revamp after Venter bought it at an auction in 2014. Extensive upgrades ensured Grade 2 status from the FIA, the world's controlling body for motorsport racing. British-based company Apex Circuit Design was last year tasked with drawing up the plans for upgrades Kyalami need to achieve the required Grade 1 status to host F1 racing. The grading is determined by the kilogramme-to-horsepower ratio. The ratio of F1 cars is the lowest of any motorsport class and therefore requires the highest FIA certification. 'We will not be the roadblock. If the process is held up it will be something outside our control,' said Clive Bowden, director and founder of Apex Circuit Design. MotoGP to follow later 'From an engineering point of view, Kyalami requires relevant minor technical alterations to meet the regulations. I'm very confident it can be done within three months without interrupting the track's busy calendar. ALSO READ: Binder: Sleeping at home and racing at Kyalami will be 'sick' 'Turns two and 13 need extended run-off zones. Five, six, seven and 10 also require some work ranging from moving gravel closer and changing the curbs. 'We have considered hosting MotoGP, but not for the moment. It is considered part of a long-term project.' The F1 calendar for 2026 has already been released without South Africa on it. This means the earliest local motorsport fans can bank on an F1 return is in 2027. The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture was sent questions about its engagement with the FIA. The responses will be added if received.
Hamilton Spectator
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
South Africa's Kyalami circuit says the FIA has approved upgrades which would let it host Formula 1
MIDRAND, South Africa (AP) — Formula 1 could be a step closer to holding a race in Africa again after the owner of the Kyalami circuit in South Africa said Wednesday that the sport's governing body had approved upgrades to the track. A statement from the circuit said that the FIA had 'accepted final design proposals' for work which would upgrade Kyalami from the FIA's Grade 2 to the Grade 1 status required for F1. It added that Kyalami has been given three years to complete the upgrades and that 'selected works' will be carried out only once Kyalami has been selected to host F1. 'Today, we turn the page to a bold new chapter for Kyalami. We are ready for the return of Formula 1 to African soil,' circuit owner Toby Venter said. Kyalami hosted the most recent F1 race in Africa in 1993 but other countries are also interested in bringing the series back to the continent. Rwanda is working on its own project and Morocco reportedly has plans too. ___ AP auto racing:
IOL News
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- IOL News
Kyalami's bold upgrade to FIA Grade 1 paves the way for Formula 1's return to SA
The Kyalami Grand Prix circuit is about to undergo a metamorphosis as it gears up to become FIA Grade 1 compliant. The Kyalami Grand Prix circuit is about to undergo a metamorphosis as it gears up to become Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) Grade 1 compliant. The facility's multi-use functionality includes conferences, shows, exhibitions, activations and lifestyle events that remain central to its commercial model. The current 4.522km layout, upgraded in 2016, already holds FIA Grade 2 certification and the Kyalami precinct has proven itself as a successful and self-sustaining venue with year-round commercial activity. At a press conference held at Kyalami, circuit owner Toby Venter said that between $5-10 million will be spent over the next three years to ensure that the circuit is the only Formula 1 compliant track on the continent. Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit has received confirmation that the FIA has accepted final design proposals to upgrade the circuit to Grade 1 status. Government South Africa has been crying out to be included on the F1 calendar and this could be the silver bullet. However, since Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie's high profile visits and photo opportunities with FIA and F1 owners and Liberty Media executives, things have gone quiet. McKenzie is quoted as saying that the success of his position rests on him being able to bring an F1 race to South Africa. His department has taken bids from interested parties, with the most successful bid presented to the FIA. However, according to Double Apex, none of the bids were adequate, and as a result no promoter has yet been appointed to pitch to the governing body. Own agenda Asked whether the upgrades to Kyalami wasn't putting the cart before the horse, considering the seemingly stalled progress from government, Venter said: 'Kyalami has its own agenda and we want it to live up to its legacy, we also call ourselves a Grand Prix Circuit and we wanted to take out that one point where everyone said 'Kyalami is not ready'. 'Ultimately we don't know what the government's plan or agenda is but we can manage our situation here, and irrespective of Formula 1, we're looking to improve Kyalami that will enhance events for people that host events here. That's our plan, irrespective of what else is going on.' The circuit has received confirmation that the FIA has accepted final design proposals to upgrade the circuit to Grade 1 status. Clive Bowen, founder and director of UK-based Apex Circuit Design, detailed a plan which has been ongoing for five years, culminating in FIA approval of the venue's upgrade design. Apex, an internationally recognised circuit design house also steered the design of, among others, the Miami Formula 1 street circuit.
