Latest news with #JehranNaidoo
IOL News
2 days ago
- Automotive
- IOL News
Hold on South Africa, we're not hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix just yet…
An aerial view of the Kyalami Circuit in Midrand, Johannesburg. Photo: AFP Image: AFP Comment by Jehran Naidoo Judging by the comments online under the news about Kyalami's new 'Grade 1 FIA approval', it seems as though South Africans are convinced that we are set to host the grandest race of them all. Just to be clear, the announcement made this week by Kyalami Circuit boss Toby Venter was about them taking a step closer to hosting a F1 race. There is still a ton of work that needs to be done, and even after that costly work, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) can still close the door on South Africa's face. So, nothing's really set in stone at this point, but Kyalami Circuit does appear to be the front-runner ahead of the Cape Town bid when it comes to hosting the race. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ What was said this week? Kyalami's Grade 1 plans were approved by the FIA, meaning they were given the green light to upgrade their track to the highest possible standards in motorsport. When complete, Kyalami can compare itself to the likes of Fuji Speedway in Japan, Hockenheimring in Germany and the Indianapolis Speedway in the United States. Venter confirmed that the FIA had approved the plans to upgrade Kyalami to a Grade 1 race track. The 4.5km surface holds a Grade 2 licence. It is estimated that the upgrades will cost between R100 million and R180m. 'When we acquired Kyalami in 2014, we made a commitment to restore it, not just as a world-class venue, but as a beacon for motorsport across the African continent. The FIA's acceptance of our Grade 1 design is a major step forward in that journey,' Venter said on Wednesday. Venter roped in UK-based motorsport engineering consultants Double Apex to help with their bid to host the race. Clive Bowen, director of Double Apex, said the upgrades would take around three months to complete. Bowen assured that these were 'light upgrades' to an already world-class facility. There are also plans to extend spectator areas. The upgrades will primarily revolve around enhancing run-off areas, barrier systems, debris fencing, kerbs, and drainage. No physical changes will be made to the circuit itself, and will remain the same from when Ayrton Senna drove his McLaren there back in the 1990s. What is a Grade 1 race track ? A Grade 1 track is supposed to be longer than 3.5km, but no longer than 7km. The straights cannot exceed 2km. Besides the hoard of safety measures that need to be adhered to, a Grade 1 track must also undergo annual inspections to ratify its status in the eyes of the FIA, and cough up a hefty fee in the process. The type of cars being raced on the surface also affects the Grade of licence you need to have. In the hybrid era that we currently find ourselves in, Formula 1 cars produce over 1,000 horsepower and weigh between 730kg and 760kg. With a power to weight ratio at that level, F1 cars require a Grade 1 level track to race on. If a Grade 1 licence is granted by the FIA, it is valid for a period of three years.
IOL News
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Is the Miami Grand Prix a poor man's Monaco
Miami Grand Prix The Miami Grand Prix has a lot of fake structures that are not worth the expensive ticket prices, argues the writer. Photo: AFP Comment by Jehran Naidoo If there's one thing the sport of Formula 1 is known for, it's the oozing of luxury and flexing of wealth among the world's high society. Prior to the arrival of James Hunt and Lord Alexander Fermor-Hesketh, caviar and champagne were not common sightings at an F1 race. But when you look at Monaco in modern days, with Ferrari F40's being crane lifted onto luxury yachts, you get the sense that the sport has kept true to its roots. Roots so deep that the American promoters who are staging the Miami Grand Prix had to fake a marina around the track just to keep up with appearances.
The Star
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Chloe Tryon thrilled to return to Proteas Women ahead of tough tri-series against India and Sri Lanka
Jehran Naidoo | Published 1 week ago After enduring a career-threatening back injury and around a year of rehabilitation, Proteas Women all-rounder Chloe Tryon is grateful to be back where she belongs: under the spotlight. The 31-year-old Lions player was called up for the SA squad to play a sub-continent tri-series against hosts Sri Lanka and India later this month. This would prove valuable experience for the upcoming Cricket World Cup in India in September and October. Tryon told Independent Media this week that her support structure was what pulled her over the line in those mentally and physically challenging months. Since the recovery, she's played domestic cricket for the Lions, but had to miss out on the Women's Premier League in India. The series against Sri Lanka and India will be her first test at international level since her return to the pitch. Tryon said the standard of domestic cricket she returned to was at a much higher level than when she took a leave of absence. 'Recovering from last year was really tough. It took a really big mental hit on me. But I am happy that I had people around that really helped me,' Tryon said. 'My trainers and family at home gathered around me, and made sure that I was in the right place. 'I'm really excited to get going in the Sri Lankan series with the team, and hopefully we can get a couple of wins there. 'I was really happy to get the opportunity to play for the Lions. I think they are a great franchise. 'Obviously they won the 50-over trophy, but I am just excited to play for them. I am really pleased with the standards in domestic cricket and how it's grown.' The Proteas Women's team includes three new young faces for the tri-series, namely Karabo Meso, Seshnie Naidu and Mianè Smit, all of whom recently returned from the Under-19 T20 World Cup in Malaysia. The side now offers a depth with a mix of experience and youth. The sight of fresh faces in the squad was warmly welcomed, said Tryon. 'Seshnie and Mianè obviously got a taste of it at the World Cup. They didn't play, but just to be there with the squad and see the standards that we play at was good,' Tryon added. 'I think it's also going to be nice to have Karabo as well. They bring a lot, and it's going to be exciting for them to get on the field and show the world what they bring.' The Proteas Men recently returned from Pakistan where the ICC Champions Trophy was held, and conditions looked challenging for both batsman and bowlers. Extreme heat and lack of movement on the ball were some of the conditions that bogged down even the best of players. The Proteas Men also played a similar tri-series against New Zealand and Pakistan ahead of the Champions Trophy. The upcoming series for the Proteas Women will likely be just as tough, with conditions expected to be like Durban on steroids, according to Tryon. Both India and Sri Lanka are at the top of their game when it comes to women's cricket, with the South Africans expecting a fierce battle come on tour. They will face India in their first ODI on April 29, followed by Sri Lanka on May 2, India on May 7 and Sri Lanka again on May 9, all at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo 'We've played them before and we know that nobody can be taken lightly,' Tryon said. 'I think the game has grown so much, and I think it's important that we get a good start adapting to the conditions as quickly as we can. 'I know Sri Lanka will be Durban times 10. It's going to be really hot and test us.' Batting coach Baakier Abrahams said the series will give them an understanding of the progress the team's made over the last year. 'I think we've been really clear in terms of our mindset and how we want to play. That will allow us to put some good steps in place in terms of looking ahead to the World Cup later in the year in India,' Abrahams told IOL previously. Meanwhile, Cricket South Africa announced on Thursday that the Proteas Women have suffered a blow as b atting all-rounder Anneke Bosch has been ruled out of the tour due to illness. Bosch will be replaced by Western Province batter Lara Goodall in the 15-player squad. The team will depart for Colombo from OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday, April 22.
