Kyalami loses chance to re-host F1 race

Any possibilities of Formula One returning to South Africa's Kyalami circuit appear to have gone up in smoke after plans to host a race were cancelled. It is believed that Gauteng province, home of the track, has failed to meet government wishes and could also lose other main motorsport series as a result.

With A1 Grand Prix plus Super Stars Series and World Superbike Championship events all currently staged at Kyalami, the chances of all three losing their races at the venue have increased with the news that 'contracts had violated sections of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA)', according to South African press agency IOL.

It is believed that Firoz Cachalia, who has recently come to office for the MEC for Economic Development, cancelled the F1 contract 'because he felt sceptical of some of the assumptions made in the assessments, and felt that the province's immediate priorities outweighed the possible long-term benefits of hosting the event'.

He also explained that, with a potential comeback for the race initially expected to return an 8 percent growth rate in the area, this information was inaccurate. "No motorsports project is justifiable that doesn't meet the needs of the majority," Cachalia is quoted as saying.

The Kyalami circuit hosted 20 Grands Prix between 1962 and 1993, with the last being that year's season-opener and won by eventual Champion Alain Prost for Williams.

Source: GP Update