Killarney Motor Racing Complex

Killarney Motor Racing Complex, whose main race track is also known as Killarney International Raceway, is a motor racing complex in Milnerton Rural, Cape Town, South Africa. It first saw action in 1947.

Killarney Motor Racing Complex
Killarney Motor Racing Circuit
LocationCape Town, South Africa
Time zoneSAST (UTC+02:00)
Coordinates33°49′24″S 18°31′40″E
OperatorWestern Province Motor Club
Opened1951
ArchitectEdgar Hoal
Major eventsCurrent:
FIA World Rallycross Championship
World RX of South Africa
(2017–2019, 2023)
Former:
Cape Grand Prix (1960–1962, 1965, 1967–1968)
Full Circuit (1960–present)
Length3.267 km (2.030 miles)
Turns9
Race lap record1:08.100 (South Africa Ian Scheckter, Lotus 72, 1974, F1)
World RX Circuit (2017–2019, 2023)
Length1.060 km (0.659 miles)
Turns7
Full Circuit (1954–1960)
Length2.687 km (1.670 miles)
Turns9
Full Circuit (1952–1954)
Length1.650 km (1.025 miles)
Turns5
Original Circuit (1951)
Length1.000 km (0.621 miles)
Turns4

History
An aerial view of the Killarney Race Track with Table Mountain visible in the distance

In 1959/60 the track was upgraded and rebuilt to conform to the required FIA standard for the 1500 cc Formula One cars of the time. The design was entrusted to Edgar Hoal, a leading racing driver and roads engineer, who also supervised its construction.

The Western Cape then had its first taste of international Formula One racing when the non-championship Cape Grand Prix was held at Killarney on 17 December 1960,[1] and was won by Stirling Moss in a Porsche. Since then the complex has grown to include every facet of circuit motorsport. So much so that Killarney currently hosts all forms of main circuit racing, as well as motocross, karting, super motards, stock car, drag racing and European Truck Racing as a one-off event.

World RX layout of Killarney Motor Racing Complex

The circuit will host the first FIA World Championship race in South Africa since the 1990s with the inaugural World RX of South Africa to be held in 2017 for the FIA World Rallycross Championship.[2]

Track features

The main track has the unusual feature of having two pit lanes on the home stretch. The racing complex also has a drag racing strip and a go-kart track.

Additionally, turn 9 can be turned into a proper chicane for the purposes of motorcycle races.

For the World RX of South Africa, the northwestern portion of the circuit was used, with an extra dirt road added to its infield.[3]

Lap records

As of March 2023, the fastest official race lap records at the Killarney Motor Racing Complex are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleEvent
Full Circuit: 3.267 km (1960–present)
Formula One1:08.100[4]Ian ScheckterLotus 721974 False Bay 100
Group 61:13.600[5]John WatsonChevron B261973 Cape Town 3 Hours
GTC1:15.426[6]Saood WariawaToyota Corolla (E210)2022 2nd Killarney Global Touring Car Championship round
SupaCup1:18.326[7]Bradley LiebenbegVolkswagen Polo VI2023 1st Killarney Global Touring Car Championship round

References
  1. "1960 Non-World Championship Grands Prix". www.fiaworldrallycross.com. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  2. "SOUTH AFRICA TO HOST WORLD RX FROM 2017". www.fiaworldrallycross.com. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  3. "Venue Map". Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  4. "XV False Bay 100". Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  5. "1973 South African Springbok Trophy Cape Town 3 hours". Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  6. "2023 Extreme Festival Global Touring Cars GTC & SupaCup - Race 2" (PDF). 17 September 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  7. "2022 Extreme Festival Global Touring Cars GTC & SupaCup - Race 1" (PDF). 18 March 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
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