Situated in East London in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, the Prince George Circuit is one of the country’s historic racing venues and the former home of the South African Grand Prix during several early eras of international motor racing. The circuit has existed in multiple forms, evolving from a vast public-road course in the 1930s to a shorter permanent circuit that still operates today.
Over the decades, the venue hosted both pre-war Grand Prix races and later Formula One events in the 1960s. Its location near the Indian Ocean and its natural amphitheatre-like setting made it a unique and scenic racing venue, although its relatively small size eventually limited its suitability for modern Formula One cars.
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Prince George Circuit
| First Grand Prix | 1962 South African Grand Prix |
| Number of Laps | 80 (1966 race) |
| Circuit Length | 3.920 km |
| Race Distance | 313.600 km |
| Lap Record | 1:25.200 Jack Brabham (1966) |
Circuit
When was the Prince George Circuit built?
Motor racing began at the Prince George Circuit in 1934, when the South African Grand Prix was first staged on a massive 24.461-kilometre road course through the streets of East London. The layout used ordinary public roads that ran along the coast, through residential areas, and across what would later become part of the city’s airport district.
The start–finish straight was located along the seafront, creating a dramatic setting beside the ocean. From there, the circuit passed through fast coastal corners before heading inland along what is now Molteno Drive. The route then wound through several districts including West Bank Village, Fort Glamorgan, and Greenfields, before eventually looping back toward the seafront with a series of technical turns and a tight hairpin.
In 1936, the circuit was shortened to 18.619 kilometres by bypassing one section of the original layout. The new route used Potters Pass to reconnect with the existing roads further along the course. This modified version hosted the South African Grand Prix several times before racing was halted during World War II.
When international racing returned to South Africa after the war, organisers eventually decided to build a much shorter permanent circuit. In 1959, the modern 3.920-kilometre layout was constructed, forming a compact track arranged in a natural bowl close to the coast. With nine corners, the new circuit was far more suitable for contemporary racing and provided good spectator viewing thanks to its amphitheatre-style setting.
When was the first South African Grand Prix at Prince George?
The Prince George Circuit hosted the South African Grand Prix during two different eras.
The first was during the pre-war period, when the long road circuits of 1934 and 1936–1939 staged major international races that attracted European drivers and teams.
The second era came in the 1960s, when the new permanent circuit hosted Formula One World Championship races in 1960, 1962, 1963, 1965, and 1966. These races formed part of Formula One’s early expansion beyond Europe.
The final Formula One race at Prince George took place in 1966, won by Jack Brabham driving his Brabham-Repco BT19. Despite producing competitive racing, the circuit was soon considered too small for the rapidly increasing speeds of Formula One cars.
As a result, the South African Grand Prix moved permanently to the Kyalami Circuit, which became the country’s main Formula One venue for the following decades.
Prince George Circuit today
Although it no longer hosts Formula One, the Prince George Circuit remains active and continues to stage national motorsport events in South Africa. It is operated by the Border Motorsport Club and regularly hosts touring car racing, club events, and regional championships.
The venue’s long history, stretching from vast 1930s road circuits to its modern permanent configuration, makes it one of the most historically significant racing locations in South African motorsport.
Prince George Circuit lap record
The official Formula One lap record at the Prince George Circuit is 1:25.200, set by Jack Brabham in a Brabham-Repco BT19 during the 1966 South African Grand Prix.
The fastest recorded race lap overall on the modern layout is 1:24.300, set by John Love driving a Lotus 49 during the 1968 Border 100, a race in the South African Formula One championship.
