 | |
| Location | Durban,South Africa |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 29°50′17.96″S31°2′3.77″E / 29.8383222°S 31.0343806°E /-29.8383222; 31.0343806 |
| Capacity | 22,000 |
| Opened | 27 January 2006; 19 years ago (2006-01-27) |
| Closed | 24 February 2008; 17 years ago (2008-02-24) |
| Major events | A1 Grand Prix |
| Grand Prix Circuit (2006–2008) | |
| Length | 3.283 km (2.040 mi) |
| Race lap record | 1:18.178 ( Nelson Piquet Jr.,Lola A1GP,2006,A1 GP) |
TheDurban Street Circuit was a 3.283 km (2.040 mi) temporarystreet circuit located inDurban,South Africa which was 300 m (330 yd) from Durban's North Beach and 800 m (870 yd) from Durban's CBD. The circuit and infrastructure was designed by D3 Motorsport Development which also oversaw the construction of the circuit each year. It was used for theA1 Grand Prix from2006 to2008. TheA1 Grand Prix race held on this circuit was the first international open-wheelautomobile race held in the country since the1993 South African Grand Prix.
The2006 event attracted more than 105,000 spectators. The event was voted the best round of the2005–06 A1 Grand Prix season. It was also one of the biggest sports events in Durban's history. Rumors claimed that a futureSouth AfricanFormula OneGrand Prix would possibly be raced in the street circuit. However, there are no official sources confirmed that any futureSouth African Grand Prix in theDurban Streets. It was announced on 21 July 2008 thatKyalami would host theSouth African round of the2008–09 A1 Grand Prix season instead of theDurban street circuit.[1]
In 2010 the Durban street circuit was to host a round of the newFIA GT1 World Championship. However, following delays in completing alterations to the Durban street circuit due to construction for the2010 FIFA World Cup, the South African round was postponed until 2011. A Spanish event at the brand newCircuito de Navarra was proposed as a replacement for Durban on the calendar,[2] and was confirmed at theFIA World Motor Sport Council meeting of 24 October.[3]
The 3.283 km (2.040 mi) temporary street circuit incorporated long fast straights along NMR Ave, and Suncoast Boulevard, a slow hairpin on Snell Parade and three challenging chicanes.[4]The street circuit and event infrastructure was designed and project managed by D3 Motorsport Development, famous for the Surfers Paradise street circuit in Australia.