official 2020 Race programme 1 race 9 hours 10 nations Welcome to the 36 drivers kyalami 9 hour 5 marques 10th–12th December 2020 www.kyalami9hour.com On the track, no one can hear you scream. The 911 GT3 RS. Porsche Centre Johannesburg Porsche Centre Cape Town Porsche Centre Umhlanga Porsche Centre Pretoria Corner Witkoppen and Corner Century Avenue and 49 Meridian Drive, Umhlanga Ridge 452 Botterklapper Street, Wroxham Road, Paulshof Summer Greens Drive, Century City Town Centre, Umhlanga Ridge O ff Lynnwood Road, The Willows Telephone 011 540 5000 Telephone 021 555 6800 Telephone 031 514 3000 Telephone 012 816 7600 www.porschejohannesburg.com www.porschecapetown.com www.porscheumhlanga.com www.porschepretoria.com Power: 383 kW (520 hp); Torque: 470 Nm; 0-100 km/h: 3.2 seconds (Sport Chrono); Top Speed: 312 km/h Race meeting officials Officials Race Director Alain Adam Deputy Race Director Joel Dovale Deputy Race Director Brian Hughes Chairman of the Stewards Francois Dumont International Steward George Avvakoumides ASN National Steward Whammy Haddad Clerk of the Course Tony Taylor Technical Director Claude Surmont Technical Delegate Alain Marquet Technical Scrutineer Ghislain Verriest Sporting Director Jacquie Groom Pit Lane Manager Ghislain Verriest Sporting Secretary Murielle Poupier Chief Timekeeper Gethin Rees Secretary to Stewards Jaquie Schreiber Secretary of Meeting Shelley-Anne Taylor Chief National Scrutineer Ralph Kernes Chief National Medical Officer Dr Pankil Patel Chief Marshal Dave Bland Safety Car Driver Jerome Dovale Leading Car driver Ghislain Verriest Race Control Rob Laubscher Clerk of the Course - Support Race Eric Schultz MSA Steward - Support Race / Spinning Eldrid Diedrecks Club Steward - Support Race/Spinning Gert Botes Clerk of the Course - Spinning Wally Pappas Motorsport South Africa (MSA) Permit Number – 16449 This race meeting is held in accordance with the International Sporting Code of the Federation International de I'Automobile, the General Competition Rules of Motorsport South Africa and the Supplementary Regulations for the competition, as approved by Motorsport SA. Support race permit number: 16449 Spinning permit number: 16450 WARNING – MOTORSPORT IS DANGEROUS In view of high speeds attained by the competitors, accidents can happen. The promoters and organisers of this race meeting / event / competition cannot guarantee your safety. You are present at your own risk. 2 2020 Kyalami 9 hour // Race programme Contents CONTENTS Welcome History of the 9 Hour 5 Message from the Executive Mayor of the City of 14 9 Hour race winners Johannesburg, Councillor Geoffrey Makhubo 16 Historical facts and figures 7 Message from Stephane Ratel, SRO Motorsports Group Founder and CEO 9 Message from the 9 Hour Team Intercontinental GT Challenge 22 Reliving the magic of the 2019 Kyalami 9 Hour Useful information 24 Everything to race for at the season finale 28 Entry list 10 Schedule: 3 days of unmissable action 30 Teams 12 Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit 44 Tribute to Walter Lechner: 1949-2020 Support race Events taking place on race day 38 Volkswagen hoping to end challenging season on a high 40 Pozidrive VW Challenge 18 ITOO Historic Race Cars 42 Support Race Entry List 20 Soweto Drift Shisa iTayera Challenge 2020 Publisher: Kyalami 9 Hour (PTY) LTD // Design and layout: Cinnamon Graphix // Printing: Camera Press 2020 Kyalami 9 hour // Race programme 3 Welcome message from the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Geoffrey Makhubo AS THE CITY OF JOBURG, we are excited to choice with the capabilities and announce the launch of the Kyalami 9 Hour “The Kyalami 9 Hour will infrastructure to host international world-class international motorsport race showcase the city’s world-class motorsports. Our response to Covid-19 which returns to South Africa this weekend. infrastructure and capability to created challenges that therefore needed to All over the world, cities are competing host international sporting events be two-thronged – saving lives and saving for the attention of a finite number of to millions of TV viewers livelihoods. It was with on these bases that investors, it’s very exciting for us as the City the Mayoral Committee deliberated and of Johannesburg to be able to showcase our worldwide.” eventually approved the sponsorship to amazing city and be able to let the world enter a new partnership contract for a know we are open for business. one-year period with the event rights The Kyalami 9 Hour Race returns this year terms of our COVID-19 economic recovery owners, with an option to renew. This after months of uncertainty caused by the in Johannesburg. This further showcases historic motorsport event has been given advent of Covid-19. It is returning at a time Johannesburg as a world-renowned event the go-ahead by South African Tourism, when the City of Joburg is pulling out all host and South Africa as a top tourist the Gauteng Tourism Authority as well as stops to ensure that life in the city returns destination. Gauteng Sports, Arts, Culture and to some sense of normality under the Tourism and sports tourism have a Recreation. prevailing circumstances. The iconic significant role to play in returning the Hosting events of international Kyalami 9 Hour race is a great leap for us in economy of the City of Johannesburg and significance presents several positive indeed the province and country, back to benefits or spin-offs to a city, region, and levels where it is creating jobs and country. According to a review of Economic sustaining livelihoods. I hope that the Impact Studies on Sporting Events, as hosting of major international sporting published in The Sport Journal, economic events will encourage tourists to visit impact in sporting events can be defined as Johannesburg and enjoy what the City has the net change in an economy resulting to offer. This presents us with another from a sporting event. The change is caused opportunity to showcase our great city as a by activity involving the acquisition, place to work, live and play. operation, development, and use of sports The Kyalami 9 Hour will showcase the facilities and services which in turn generate city’s world-class infrastructure and visitors’ spending, public spending, capability to host international sporting employment opportunities, and tax events to millions of TV viewers worldwide. revenue. While we recognise that Covid-19 remains Major events such as the Kyalami 9 Hour a threat to lives and livelihoods, lockdown contribute to tourist income, long-term regulations and protocols, as well as investment, jobs and investment, legacy stringent conditions, will be observed and benefits, enthusiasm, short-term economic no spectators will be allowed as the City of benefits while it raises the profile and brand Johannesburg continues to proactively image of a city. manage the spread of the virus. This year’s event will be significantly The action will be broadcast live across different due to the strict COVID-19 the continent on SuperSport and fans protocols and therefore no spectators shall will be given regular updates and be allowed in adherence to alert Level 1 interactive content on the Kyalami 9 regulations. Only journalists, radio, Hour and partner social media television crew, security personnel, platforms. emergency medical services, and the The strategic objective of the necessary employees employed by the partnership is to position Joburg owners of the facility, will be allowed at the globally as a sporting destination of venue. 2020 Kyalami 9 hour // Race programme 5 Welcome Message from Stephane Ratel SRO Motorsports Group Founder and CEO HELLO AND WELCOME to the 2020 Kyalami Amongst them are three young The good news is you can follow their 9 Hour – this year’s fourth and final homegrown talents: Van der Linde brothers progress every step of the way thanks to GT Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Kelvin and Sheldon, and championship World’s free live stream on Youtube and Pirelli round. contender Jordan Pepper. All three grew up SuperSport’s extensive domestic TV I can scarcely believe it was more than 12 within sight of Kyalami are relishing the coverage. So sit back, relax and enjoy the months ago that we were last here for a truly opportunity to race and perhaps win on show. And who knows? Hopefully, we can momentous occasion: this historical home soil. welcome you trackside in 2021. endurance race’s first running in 37 years! So much has changed since then – indeed, if only we knew then what was just around the corner – but I still often smile when thinking about SRO Motorsports Group’s first encounter with the 12 Hour. The hospitality shown by our South African hosts and partners, the feel-good atmosphere amongst our teams in the paddock, and the sheer enthusiasm of those who joined us trackside for Africa’s only international motorsport event will live long in the memory. I just wish we had the opportunity to welcome you again this year. But while the South African public will undoubtedly be missed, we still have a job to do. Namely, crowning 2020’s Kyalami 9 Hour winners and this year’s Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli champions. Porsche, Audi and BMW can all still clinch the Manufacturers’ crown while nine crews representing five brands remain in Drivers’ Championship contention. The entry may be down on last year but the sheer quality of world-class race teams and drivers remains just as high. “The hospitality shown by our South African hosts and partners, the feel-good atmosphere amongst our