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#65629
From F1 Live:

A bid to bring a South African Grand Prix back to the Formula One calendar is gathering speed, according to a local report.

The country's Sunday Times newspaper said talks about a new race from 2011 at the Kyalami circuit, last scene of a Formula One event in 1993, are taking place between the provincial Gauteng government and Bernie Ecclestone.

The newspaper said the F1 Chief Executive has agreed in principle, and that a memorandum of understanding could be signed by the end of the year.

South African race officials are understood to have inspected the F1 venues in Melbourne and Silverstone, and will be trackside for the sport's first ever night race in Singapore in two weeks.

A government spokesman would not comment specifically about F1, but he said: "We value the contribution motor sport can make to the economy of the province and will continue to look at opportunities."

It is suggested that F1 officials have inspected the Kyalami circuit, which has hosted many South African Grand Prix, and given guidance about what would need to be done to get the venue up to the sport's modern standards.

A spokesman for Motorsport SA, the controlling body of all motorsport in South Africa, said a local Formula One race is 'very possible' but revealed there has been no approach by the sport's governing body, the FIA.

In January, Renault announced that it entered a partnership agreement to promote the Gauteng province.

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International


I like the sound of the South African Grand Prix returning, but I wonder will there be any Grands Prix taken off the calendar to fit it in? Or by that stage will there be twenty Grands Prix in a season and less testing?
#66138
F1 really does need to head back to Southe africa, apart form Antartica im sure that africa is the only continent without a GP, as much as people are crying out over the lack of a US grand prix at least North America is represented.
Im sure Bernie will want it to be a night race - after all the thought of europeans not being able to watch a gp during the day is terrible :P
#66140
South Africa is only 1 hour ahead of the UK so it won't be a night race unless Berrnie wants to balance it out for the rest of the world which does seem really pointless.

And if I missed the sarcasm sorry :blush:
#66222
Kylami's not what it used to be back in the 70's and 80's but it's still a decent track. I would love to see the return of the South African Grand Prix. :)
#66270
Kylami's not what it used to be back in the 70's and 80's but it's still a decent track. I would love to see the return of the South African Grand Prix. :)

I cannot comment on Kyalami's current configuration but the history it has should account for something right?
#66273
Kylami's not what it used to be back in the 70's and 80's but it's still a decent track. I would love to see the return of the South African Grand Prix. :)

I cannot comment on Kyalami's current configuration but the history it has should account for something right?

I would hope so, but sadly these days it doesn't seem to in Bernie's eyes. Silverstone is a prime example. :(
#66275
I'd love to see it as well, I remember watching the last GP's held there in the early 90's. I question though whether its really a viable venue long term. Is there enough inters in F1 in that region to support an F1 race year in /out? I'd much rather go to SA than Bahrain but I'd have to disagree with the notion that we don't need another race in North America. I can't wait to see F1 back in the US.
#66294
I'd love to see it as well, I remember watching the last GP's held there in the early 90's. I question though whether its really a viable venue long term. Is there enough inters in F1 in that region to support an F1 race year in /out? I'd much rather go to SA than Bahrain but I'd have to disagree with the notion that we don't need another race in North America. I can't wait to see F1 back in the US.



Tell it like it is brutha. But, lets have it in your neck of the woods shall we? I just have no interest in going to Indy....

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