Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Johannesburg will host the Michelin 24H Kyalami on 8 to 10 January 2027, marking Africa’s first international 24-hour endurance race. Image: supplied
South Africa’s Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit will host Africa’s first international 24-hour endurance race from 8 to 10 January 2027. The Michelin 24H Kyalami brings the prestigious Michelin 24H Series to the African continent for the first time. Furthermore, the race arrives at Kyalami after race organiser Creventic relocated the long-running Michelin 24H Dubai from the Gulf region. As a result, South Africa becomes the new home of one of international motorsport’s most established endurance racing series.
Creventic cited “ongoing uncertainty within the Gulf region” as the reason for the move. The instability affected the cost of logistics and transport planning for teams travelling to Dubai. Helen Roukens, Creventic’s General Manager, acknowledged the difficulty of the decision. “Changing our long-established Middle East calendar was an extremely difficult decision,” Roukens said. Furthermore, the Abu Dhabi races move to the 2027/2028 season as a result of the same regional uncertainty. As a result, Kyalami steps in as the replacement venue for January 2027.
Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit is a 4.522-kilometre anti-clockwise track with 16 corners. It sits 1,532 metres above sea level, making altitude a key factor for teams and machinery. The circuit features elevation changes, blind crests and fast-flowing sequences that will present technical challenges distinct from Dubai’s Autodrome. Furthermore, Kyalami underwent extensive redevelopment from 2015, including a resurfaced circuit, upgraded safety measures and 40 modern pit garages. As a result, the venue is well equipped to handle a major international endurance event.
The circuit last hosted major international endurance racing during the 2023 Kyalami 9 Hour. Teams preparing for the 2027 race will have access to three Creventic Race Track Days on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before the event. Race registrations are currently open. Furthermore, the Michelin 24H Kyalami represents a significant expansion of the series onto a new continent. As a result, South African motorsport fans will have the opportunity to watch a full 24-hour international endurance race on home soil for the first time.
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