The group behind a R6.7 billion bid to bring Formula 1 to the Western Cape has bought 600 hectares of land near Kalbaskraal for a new racing circuit.
Blue Mountain Racing (BMR) wants to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix by 2031, with the circuit planned as part of a larger development in the Swartland.
But no Formula 1 race has been awarded to South Africa.
Consortium says project will be privately funded
The consortium says the development will be privately funded, although government would still be expected to provide support if the Western Cape secured a race.
BMR member Bob Hartslief said this would include security, traffic control and customs clearance.
“We don’t want taxpayers to become a soccer ball with regards to any kind of politics,” Hartslief told 702.
“But that doesn’t mean we won’t need the support of all levels of government in terms of what they can do for us from custom clearance, to safety and security to traffic control and the like.”
The plans were unveiled in the Swartland this week, with acting Western Cape Premier Tertuis Simmers, MEC Anton Bredell and Swartland Mayor Harold Cleophas among those attending.
BMR has submitted its proposal to Formula 1 and says the assessment process could take between 12 and 15 months.
Why the proposal moved away from a Cape Town street circuit
The decision to build in the Swartland also appears to end, at least for this bid, the prospect of racing Formula 1 cars through the streets of Cape Town.
BMR chair Neal Froneman said a street circuit would cause disruption to residents and come with significant public costs.
Instead, the consortium wants a purpose-built circuit outside the city while using Cape Town’s airport, hotels and tourism industry to support the event.
About R2bn of the proposed R6.7bn investment would go towards the circuit.
The rest of the development would include hospitality, conference and entertainment facilities and residential property.
The proposed venue would accommodate about 125,000 spectators.
BMR has also projected thousands of jobs if the development goes ahead and plans to recruit and train between 700 and 1,000 race marshals, including people from communities around Malmesbury, Abbotsdale and Kalbaskraal.
The Western Cape bid is not guaranteed a place on the Formula 1 calendar.
Kyalami is also pursuing the return of Formula 1 to Gauteng.
South Africa last hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix at Kyalami in 1993.
Staff Reporter
capeargus.co.za