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V8 Superstar 'growl' for Kyalami

Brad Morgan

18 November 2009

Certain sounds are guaranteed to get a petrolhead's blood flowing. Like a Formula One engine howling – or a V8 engine growling. South African motorsport fans have the chance to experience the latter at Johannesburg's Kyalami circuit on 12 and 13 December, when the V8 Superstars hit South Africa.

It marks the first ever appearance outside Europe for the series, which features four-door V8-engined production cars with capacities of between three and seven litres.

The cars that contest the series include some of the sweetest-sounding four-door machines to be found: the BMW 550i, M5 and M3; the Audi RS4; the Jaguar S-type R; the Chrysler 300C SRT8; the Chevrolet CR8; the Cadillac CTS-V; and the Mercedes C-63 AMG.

Champion

The winner of the championship has already been decided, with former Formula One drive Gianni Morbidelli, driving a BMW M3, clinching the title for the third time at Mugello.

At Mugello, Morbidelli finished second in the first heat behind fellow M3 driver Roberto Russo. Despite a 25-second penalty in the second heat, after he made contact with Stefano Gabellini's BMW 550i, Morbidelli managed fifth to secure the championship victory.

Interestingly, race two featured a maiden win for Kristian Ghedina (BMW 550i). Ghedina is the most successful Italian downhill skiiing competitor in history. After retiring from the sport in 2006 it is clear he never got rid of the need for speed in his blood.

'We are thrilled'

Looking ahead to the racing at Kyalami, Gauteng Motorsport Company CEO Stephen Watson commented: "This is the first time this series be staged outside Europe, and we are thrilled to be able to host these exciting cars in Gauteng.

"Motorsport fans, particularly those who love the big sound and big performance of highly tuned V8s, for the first time presented in the kind of luxury cars that many aspire to own, can look forward to a family-oriented weekend to remember."

Kyalami

Regarded as the home of South African motorsport, Kyalami hosted the South African Formula One Grand Prix 21 times between 1967 and 1993.

Among the famous winners of the race were South Africa's only Formula One world champion, Jackie Scheckter, as well as F1 greats Jim Clark, Mario Andretti, Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, and Nigel Mansell.

Kyalami has also played host to the Moto GP and World Superbike Series, as well as nine-hour endurance events and numerous South African motorsport championships.

Tickets

Tickets for the V8 Superstars are on sale at Computicket outlets countrywide.

Prices range from R80 (general access) to R180 (Gold Plus grandstand) on Saturday, and R100 to R400 on Sunday.

Special weekend packages (Saturday and Sunday), priced from R150 (general access) to R500 (Gold Plus), are available.

There will be races on both Saturday and Sunday, as well as supporting events featuring some of South Africa's top circuit racing categories and drivers.

Racing in the Superstars Series includes two 25-minute races plus one-lap heats.