Kyalami Added to IGTC Schedule

Photo: Kyalami GP Circuit

Kyalami will host a round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, as part of an expanded five-round championship contested on five continents next year.

SRO Motorsports Group confirmed the 2019 calendar on Friday as part of founder and CEO Stephane Ratel’s annual press conference at Spa-Francorchamps.

The Kyalami 9 Hours, a revival of the famed endurance race that previously been part of the FIA World Sportscar Championship, will take place on Nov. 2-3, with the California 8 Hours moving to a to-be-determined March or April date.

It will mark the first international endurance race at the South African circuit since 2000, when the final round of the SportsRacing World Cup, the precursor to the FIA Sportscar Championship, was held (pictured below).

Ralf Kelleners and Gary Formato won that race in a Kremer Lola B98-Ford.

The 13-turn, 2.648-mile circuit was recently purchased by Toby Venter, the owner of Porsche South Africa, and has since undergone extensive upgrades that includes the certification as a FIA Grade 2 status.

The IGTC season will make return visits to Spa, Suzuka and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Championships will be awarded to manufacturers, Pro drivers and Am drivers, although no GT4 championship is set to be added.

2019 Intercontinental GT Challenge Schedule:
Feb. 2-3 — Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour
March/April TBA — California 8 Hours
July 27-28 — Total 24 Hours of Spa
Aug. 24-25 — Suzuka 10 Hours
Nov. 2-3 — Kyalami 9 Hours

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John