Kyalami

Original layout: 1961-1987

The clockwise track layout was based on a long straight with nine corners that had their naming inspired by a mix of local geography, South African cultural elements, and racing terminology. A lap started in close to the pit lane entrance on the Main Straight - a straight that lead downhill into the first bend.^[3]

1. Crowthorne Corner – A tight right-hander, being the first turn after the start-finish straight. The corner was named after the Crowthorne Hotel, located near this particular section of the circuit.
2. Barbecue Bend A second right-hand medium speed bend likely named after the tradition of South African barbecues (braais), which were often held near this section of the track during race events.
3. Jukskei Sweep This was a long, fast left-hand curve, named for the Jukskei River, which runs near the track. The river itself is named after the traditional Afrikaaner game of Jukskei (similar to horse-shoes), which was played by early settlers.^[4]
4. Sunset Bend A fast right-hander considered one of the iconc corners on the track. It was so named because the corner often forced drives to face the setting sun while navigating this section of the track.
5. Clubhouse Bend A 90-degree left-hander named after the motorsport clubhouse that was located at this bend on the track.
6. Esses 1 Bend one: initial left-hander.
7. Esses 2. Right-handed 90-degree bend, leading to steep uphill into turn 8.
8. Leeukop Bend Leeukop was a tight right-hand hairpin that led onto the initial part of the long straight. This corner was named after Leeukop hill (Lion’s Head), a common and prominent geographical naming feature in South African topography. It also referred to the Leeukop Prison that was located behind the hill on adjacent land.
9. The Kink This was a right deviation in the track splitting the main straight into two sections.

Revised layout: 1988 to present

When the circuit was rebuilt in the early 1990s as part of a commercial development, Leeukop Bend, the Kink, Pit lane, the start/finish straight, Crowthorne Corner and Barbecue Bend were all eliminated. Jukskei Sweep was heavily modified to create the entrance into the bend before the then newly built Pit lane and start/finish straight. The remaining part of the old fast circuit, modified to a lesser degree were Sunset Bend, Clubhouse Bend and the Esses still incorporated into the current configuration, with the result that the circuit became a narrow, twisty ribbon rather than one of the fastest circuits on the calendar. Formula One abandoned the rebuilt circuit in 1993 after just two races on the new layout, caused by a bankruptcy on the part of the promoter.

It hosted the South African motorcycle Grand Prix until 1992.

Kyalami was changed again with the building of the current pit lane and start/finish straight and later again changes were made, with the addition of a chicane which in turn was removed again for the 2009 World Superbike race.^[5] Kyalami came under new management and 2008 saw the 50th anniversary of the 9-hour revival being held at Kyalami with golden oldies like David Piper and others.^[6] On 6 June 2014, it was announced that Kyalami would be auctioned off on 24 July without reserve.^[7] On 24 July 2014, it was auctioned off for R205 million. The winning bidder was Toby Venter, owner of Porsche South Africa.^[8] R100 million was invested to upgrade the circuit, allowing it to successfully obtain an FIA Grade 2 status.^[9]

On 12 December 2019, the provisional calendar for the 2020–21 FIA World Endurance Championship was announced, containing a six-hour race at Kyalami scheduled for 6 February 2021.^[10] However, after the calendar was revised due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kyalami was removed.^[11][12]