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Think Cape Town and cars, and you immediately think of Killarney, as it is fondly known. It's one of only two racetracks that's remained unchanged in South Africa; the last change came in 1960 and it's been the same ever since, making it the oldest racetrack in the country. Now, the Cape Town Heritage Foundation has given Killarney raceway a Blue Plaque for its historical significance.
Located in Table View, only 20km outside Cape Town's CBD, Killarney International Raceway has been awarded a Blue Plaque in recognition of its historically significant status. Only a few sports facilities in Cape Town can boast a history encompassing 76 years of continuous activity at the same venue.
I had taken my eight-year-old daughter along to the ceremonial gathering; she's not a car nut like her mother and usually groans every time we go there. But on this day, on the drive home, she was chirping facts shared during the presentation that nearly had me drive off the road.
Click on the arrows on the images below to scroll through the gallery:
Sir Stirling Moss driving in the 1960 Cape Grand Prix at Killarney.
Jim Clark makes a rare error at the 1962 Cape Grand Prix.
Trevor Taylor wins the 1962 Cape Grand Prix in the Works Lotus.
The second Cape Grand Prix in 1962.
Stanley Reed
Killarney International Raceway
Killarney International Raceway
Killarney International Raceway
Killarney International Raceway
Killarney International Raceway
JL Craig at the Speed Trial in 1947
Edgar Hoal designed the current layout of the Killarney circuit in 1960 as it still is today.
"Mommy, did you know there were three grandpas there today who were older than 76, which means they are older than Killarney? And did you know the first Cape Grand Prix was in 1960, and some uncle named Stirling (Sir Stirling Moss) won the race?" I had no idea she was even paying attention during Killarney's executive manager Des Easom's speech. My jaw was on the floor, and all I could say was, "WOW!"
"Yes", she went on, "And the second Cape Grand Prix was held in 1962, and Jim Clark was racing there too." As if she knew who these legends were. She clearly thought I wasn't listening either. But how special it was that I could take her along to such a monumental occasion and learn a few things about a place which wasn't exactly her favourite because it's usually "too noisy" even when she's wearing her earmuffs.
Regardless, I hope she remembers those things forever. Just like how she associates Killarney with the Global Touring Car series as we always go and support our friends driving in the Toyota GR Cup during the Cape legs of the season. Mostly, she likes going for the little "flea market" outside the Clubhouse. Point is, she already has her own little relationship with one of the most historical landmarks in the province.
I have my own memories, just like everyone else does. And despite racing being expensive and sometimes layered in controversy and politics, it's a place we all have memories of queuing in the early hours of the morning on big race days or events with our family and friends to get inside the gates and get a good parking spot - hopefully close to the trackside fence, with enough space for a braai.
Besides the international stars of yesterday, Killarney has seen our own local legends make the track home, like Sarel Van der Merwe, Giniel De Villiers, Deon Joubert, Grant McCleery, Willie Hepburn and Willie Nel, to name only a few. And let's not forget international events like the WRX (World Rallycross Championship) event, which returns to SA in October 2023. The FIA-approved rallycross circuit was built for the inaugural event in 2017, and a purpose-built spinning track was built in 2022.
Where it all began...
According to the Western Province Motor Club (WPMC), the Divisional Council of the Cape Province opened a new road from Cape Town to the Northern Cape in 1947. The old road to Malmesbury fell into disuse and was closed, so the Metropolitan Motorcycle and Car Club (then known as the 'Mets') asked the authorities if they could rent it as a venue for 'sprints' - what we know today as drag racing.
The first motorsport event on the old Potsdam Road, a few hundred metres north of the Killarney Hotel, was a Speed Trial on 1 March 1947. The winner was JL Craig in a 1250cc MG TC roadster, with a best time of 22.6 seconds over the standing quarter mile (400m).
By 1951 a loop of tarred road had been laid in the open land alongside the old highway to create a basic, roughly triangular racetrack. This was extended to the west in 1952 and to the south in 1955 for a lap length of 1.65 kilometres, but when an ambitious plan was hatched in 1959 to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix, a completely new, 3.267-kilometre track was constructed for the inaugural Cape Grand Prix on 17 December 1960.
Part of the original road to Malmesbury still exists as the service road from the main entrance to the subway, while a section of the 1951 circuit is preserved inside a fenced-off area at the back of Sarel's Sweep, named after motorsport legend Sarel 'Supervan' van der Merwe.
Today the track is wider, smoother and safer than it was in 1960, but the layout remains the same. The Mets merged with other clubs in 1965 to form the Western Province Motor Club, and since then, the Club has added a one-kilometre karting circuit, an 800-metre drag strip, a tar oval, and one kilometre 'Short Circuit'. The motocross track has been converted into an Adventure Motorcycle and 4x4 event area; training facilities include the only skidpan in the Western Cape.
The entire facility has been developed over the years without government funding under the guidance of Denis Joubert, who was chairman of the Club from 1970 to 2006.
But it is the people, the competitors, officials, marshals and fans, who breathe life and continuity into this historic place. JL Craig and his MG are long gone, but his son John and grandson John Junior are both active in motorsport at Killarney. It is to the Killarney family and to that long-ago committee who created what is now Cape Town's most used sports venue on a dusty piece of wasteland alongside the old Malmesbury Road that this Blue Plaque is dedicated.
Killarney is still a place where petrolheads gather, whether it's race days to run into people like Roland Stanton or Dave Ingle and listen to stories of yesteryear. Or for track days and car shows and meeting old friends. It's a place where the legacy of racing will live on for many years to come.
Historical info written by Dave Abrahams.
