World RX promoter IMG has announced a multi-year deal with the venue, with construction of the brand-new permanent rallycross track set to begin in the next six weeks.

The South African round will mark rallycross’ first visit to Africa, joining events run previously in the series in Europe, North America, South America and Asia.

Killarney will be the tenth new circuit introduced to the championship since the formation of World RX in 2014.

“Killarney is delighted to be hosting this first of its kind event in Africa. Our thousands of loyal fans and spectators, Cape Town and its New Seven Wonders of Nature Table Mountain deserve no less,” said Des Easom, Executive Manager of the circuit.

“Rallycross is a thrilling, highly competitive form of racing with international appeal and media coverage.

"We look forward to working with IMG and pooling our expertise and experience on the series of events.

"This is a great addition to our whole-year racing calendar and spectators can look forward to an international and world-class event,” he said.

Located in the shadows of Cape Town’s Table Mountain, the Killarney circuit was built in 1947 and ran a non-championship Formula One race on January 1, 1960.

As well as circuit racing, the venue has also played host to motocross, karting, stock cars and drag racing.

“Worldwide, motorsport is a significant generator of economic activity. This in turn enables economic growth and drives job creation.

"The City of Cape Town will do everything in its power to create an enabling environment to unlock investment and employment opportunities,” said Alderman Ian Neilson, City of Cape Town deputy mayor.

“In South Africa in particular, sport has had a profound re-conciliatory impact and we look forward to welcoming our diverse communities as well as the international fraternity.”

Argentina has hosted the final round of the World RX since the championship’s inception, at San Luis in 2014 and Rosario last year, the same venue that will host the finale this year.

“We have been looking at South Africa as a potential new venue in World RX for some time and we are delighted to be able to announce the new deal from 2017 onwards,” said World Rallycross managing director, Paul Bellamy.

“We are the only FIA World Championship to host an event in sub-Saharan Africa and the Killarney circuit is a fantastic facility where we can create a truly sensational season-closer.”

The event is the first to be announced on the 2017 World RX schedule.