Red Star Raceway
Red Star Raceway at a glance
- Location
- Delmas, Mpumalanga
- Type
- road course
- Length
- 4 km (2.486 mi)
- Direction
- clockwise (Jul-Dec) / counter-clockwise (Jan-Jun)
- Surface
- asphalt
- Opened
- 2010
- Owner
- Jacques van Wyngaardt
- Phone
- +27 76 624 6972
- Website
- redstarraceway.co.za
Track map and layout
Red Star Raceway is a purpose-built 4.0 km club circuit east of Johannesburg, opened in 2010 with extensive run-off areas designed from the outset for safety at both car and motorcycle events. It mixes medium-speed bends, several hairpins and three straights, with corners designed to flow from the exit of one into the entry of the next rather than as isolated braking zones. Uniquely among South African circuits, Red Star flips its running direction through the year, lapped anti-clockwise from January to June and clockwise from July to December, and offers both full and short circuit configurations in either direction.
Configurations
| Layout | Length | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Full Circuit (clockwise) | 4.00 km | run July-December |
| Full Circuit (anti-clockwise) | 4.00 km | run January-June |
| Short Circuit | — | shorter club/track-day layout, both directions |
Events and race weekends
Red Star runs a heavy diet of club car and motorcycle racing, drag strip events, skidpan and rider training, and pit-bike/motocross/freestyle activities, alongside corporate driving days. It is a regular venue for South African national club championships rather than international series, and is especially known among the motorcycle community for its dedicated bike track days.
Getting there and parking
Red Star sits near Delmas on the N12 east of Johannesburg, roughly 45-60 minutes' drive from central Johannesburg or OR Tambo International Airport. There is no public transport link to the circuit; visitors drive or arrange private transport.
- OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) · about 55 min drive
Parking
On-site parking is available for race meetings and track days.
Public transport does not serve the circuit — plan on driving or arranging a private transfer from Johannesburg.
Hotels and camping near Red Star Raceway
Red Star Raceway offers its own on-site accommodation for competitors and visitors attending race weekends and track days, reducing the need to find nearby hotels. Those wanting a wider choice of accommodation typically base themselves in Johannesburg or Benoni/Springs on the East Rand, both roughly 45-60 minutes away.
Where to look
On-site accommodation at the raceway itself, or Benoni/Springs and eastern Johannesburg for a wider hotel choice.
Track days, driving experiences and lap records
Red Star runs a regular public track-day schedule: Wednesdays and Fridays are open to both cars and bikes, while Saturdays and Sundays are bike-only, plus a dedicated monthly car track day on the last Sunday of each month. The venue also offers a skidpan, rider training and drag strip sessions for those wanting seat time outside race meetings.
Who runs days here
Spectator guide
The main grandstand at Red Star gives views of both the start-finish straight and the circuit's signature hairpin bend, making it the best single vantage point for race meetings.
Seating
Main stand overlooking the start-finish straight and hairpin.
Best places to watch
The main stand for starts and the hairpin; other corners are viewed from general trackside areas.
Weather
- Oct-Mar: warm Highveld summer, highs around 26-29°C with afternoon thunderstorm risk
- Jun-Aug: cool, dry winter, days around 17-19°C, cold mornings
History of Red Star Raceway
A purpose-built club circuit
Red Star Raceway was conceived by Jacques van Wyngaardt, who bought land at Delmas, east of Johannesburg, in 2009 to build a new club-level circuit for Gauteng's growing car and motorcycle racing community. Van Wyngaardt designed the 4.0 km layout together with civil engineers Andy Farmer and Kevin Owen, prioritising extensive run-off areas and safety features from the outset rather than retrofitting an older track.
Opening and growth
Construction was completed and the circuit became operational in 2010, quickly establishing itself as a venue for national club championships, corporate driving events, skidpan training and motorcycle-focused activities including rider training and pit-bike/motocross freestyle sessions. A drag strip and dedicated bike facilities were added to broaden the venue's appeal beyond circuit racing.
A circuit that changes direction
One of Red Star's most distinctive features is its seasonal direction switch: the track runs anti-clockwise from January to June, then clockwise from July to December, giving racers and track-day drivers two genuinely different experiences of the same layout across the year. Combined with its regular Wednesday and Friday car-and-bike track days and weekend bike-only sessions, this has made Red Star one of the more accessible circuits in the Gauteng/Mpumalanga area for both competitive racing and everyday seat time, supported by on-site accommodation for visiting competitors.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Red Star Raceway circuit?+
The full circuit is 4.0 km (2.486 miles); the venue also has a shorter club/track-day layout.
Why does Red Star Raceway change direction?+
The circuit is deliberately run anti-clockwise from January to June and clockwise from July to December, giving drivers and riders two different experiences of the same layout each year.
Can the public do track days at Red Star?+
Yes. Wednesdays and Fridays are open track days for both cars and bikes, Saturdays and Sundays are bike-only, and the last Sunday of each month is a dedicated car track day.
Is there accommodation at Red Star Raceway?+
Yes, the venue offers on-site accommodation for competitors and visitors attending race weekends and track days.
Where is Red Star Raceway located?+
It is near Delmas in Mpumalanga, just off the N12 roughly 45-60 minutes' drive east of Johannesburg.
Other tracks nearby
- Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit · 69 km · road course
- Zwartkops Raceway · 71 km · road course
- Phakisa Freeway · 287 km · road course & oval
- Durban Street Circuit · 474 km · historic circuit (defunct)
- Breedon Everard Raceway · 664 km · road course
- East London Grand Prix Circuit (Prince George Circuit) · 780 km · street circuit
Facts checked against 3 sources including the official circuit website. Last reviewed 2026-09-11.