South African Grand Prix

The South African Grand Prix was first run as a Grand Prix motor racing handicap race in 1934 at the Prince George Circuit at East London, Eastern Cape Province. It drew top drivers from Europe including Bernd Rosemeyer, Richard "Dick" Seaman, Richard Shuttleworth and the 1939 winner Luigi Villoresi.

World War II brought an end to the race, but it was revived in 1962 as part of the Formula One circuit. It was a popular F1 event, but racing was put on hiatus there right after the controversial 1985 race due to the policy of apartheid.AUTO RACING; Compiled from wire reports by Ken Paskman. Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Fla.: Oct 24, 1985. pg. B.2

Following the end of apartheid in 1991, two further races were held in 1992 and 1993. Bernie Ecclestone has hinted that Formula One racing may return to South Africa in 2012, possibly in Cape Town.

History

The first South African F1 race was held on December 29, 1962 at the East London track. It was held there again in 1963 and 1965. In 1967, the race was moved to Kyalami, where it would remain as long as the South African Grand Prix was on the official Formula One calendar. A total of 23 F1 Grands Prix were held between 1962, and the final event in 1993.

This was the location of one of the most gruesome crashes in history, as Tom Pryce was killed when he hit and killed track marshal Jansen Van Vuuren at full speed in 1977.

The...
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