Endurance races such as the Kyalami 9 Hour are unpredictable and unforgiving but as with any form of motorsport, starting from the front always helps. Despite the gruelling time spent on track battling for the top spot between day and night, drivers will want to ensure their car starts up front. Here is what to expect at the Kyalami 9 Hour Qualifying day.
After the team briefing, track scouting and practice sessions on day 1 of the action packed weekend, drivers are now expected to get millimetre perfect along the famed 16 corners of the Kyalami racetrack and attempt a best time.
While Friday the 4th of February will be a qualifying day for most of the competing categories, the day will kick off with the SA GT Racing Series Race 1 at 08:00 after their qualifying session yesterday along with the SA Sportscar Series.
The BMW M Performance Parts Race Series will complete their two qualifying heats in between the Mobil 1 V8 Supercars in the morning in anticipation for their races after lunch while the V8 Supercars will have the track to themselves after the Kyalami 9 Hour qualifying session between 15:30 and 16:30. Rolling starts apply to all categories.
All eyes will be on the Kyalami 9 Hour Qualifying session, which is divided into three sessions. Each of the three drivers set to get behind the wheel of the endurance race tomorrow will have a 15 minute session to set their best time.
Once an expectedly enthralling qualifying session is complete, the aforementioned Mobil 1 V8 Supercars will race for victory. The rest of the afternoon and early evening is scheduled for VIP Hot Laps while a Kyalami 9 Hour Superpole event will take us past sunset.
Weather expected on Friday might throw a curved ball to all events happening as a high chance of rain from midday onwards could see drivers scrambling for grip in unfamiliar driving conditions as we have seen in years gone by!
