New formula for business park
15 November 2019 saw the inauguration of both a brand new Grade A short circuit and a business park to be built around it.
The Formula K Circuit at the Formula K Business Park, situated in Corner of Snake Road and Golden Drive Benoni, officially opens to the public on the 18 November 2019. The project which in total will span a ten-year planning and development cycle is approaching the final stages since the circuit is near completion. The Formula K Circuit is the only short circuit eligible to host a karting world championship event as it meets the exact specifications required by the CIK/FIA governing body to enable classification as a “Grade A” short circuit. The project started after brothers Phillip and Marius Swanepoel purchased a portion of Farm Vlakfontein 69 in 2009. Only after another 8 years of negotiations with local and national authorities, were they able to start establishing the property and act on the vision they had back in 2008. The circuit, weather permitting, will be in operation every day of the year where serious racers of either karts or motorcycles will be able to come and utilize the facilities. Formula K will also cater to the general public with a fleet of rental karts available in addition to the full-service centre available for kart owners.
“It’s not just rental karts. It’s everything. We sell, we service, we tune, we race, we have a driving academy. We’ll have a rotation. Mornings will be open to members and those who own karts, and afternoons (noon onwards) will be geared towards group rentals, birthday parties, corporate events, and of course drop-in rentals,” Phillip Swanepoel, Formula K Circuit.
The 1.51 km circuit can be extended to 2.1 km and includes elevation changes, banked corners, fast and technical sections for novice and advance drivers and riders. The track can also be shortened dramatically for baby karts and rental karting. The circuit will feature as a central point for commercial development, conference facilities, restaurant, retail stores and a gym. The commercial developments will include a variety of sizes ranging from 85 – 186 square meters for small to media businesses and entrepreneurs. In the near future, the circuit will include a skidpan, 4X4 tracks, warrior obstacles and a K53 training ground for novice to advanced driver training.
