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Roar for Singapore
SINGAPORE : Now that Singapore has established itself as a premier
venue for Formula 1, get ready for the biggest and fastest thing on
two wheels.
MotoGP, the motorbike equivalent of
F1, is set to make its debut here as early
as 2011 when Singapore’s first permanent race track is completed. Speaking from his
Madrid office in Spain, MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta told TODAY
that his company Dorna Sports, which holds the commercial rights to
MotoGP, has signed an agreement with a Singaporean company to stage
a round of the 18—leg world championships here, when the planned
track is completed.
The 61—year—old Spaniard, who is to Moto—GP what Bernie
Ecclestone is to Formula 1, also said that Singapore is an
important part of the sport’s growth plans, as it is a key
financial centre in the middle of an important region of the
world.
Although TODAY is unable to name the Singapore promoter, who
sealed the deal in Madrid about two months ago, due to contractual
sensitivities, Ezpeleta said: “Yes, I can confirm that we have
signed an agreement with a promoter to stage a round of the
motorbike world championships in Singapore.
“But it depends when the permanent track you are going to build
will be completed. I understand it will be up in three years’ time,
so you can have a race there as early as 2011, if not 2012.”
Matching Formula 1
MotoGP motorbikes can reach top speeds of about 340kmh, compared
to 370kmh for F1 cars, and Dorna claim they have an average
television audience of about 350 million viewers across 200
countries for each race.
In terms of economic impact, organisers of the MotoGP event at
Laguna Seca, California, say the annual event there contributes
about US$100 million (S$146 milion) into the Monterey area
surrounding the track, which is on par with spill—off revenues
generated by F1 races.
But unlike F1 — with some Grands Prix held on street circuits,
including Singapore — MotoGP hold all their races on purpose—built
racing circuits.
Teo Ser Luck, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of
Community Development, Youth and Sports, said at last month’s F1
SingTel Singapore Grand Prix that the permanent circuit in Changi
is on track to be completed in 2011. Although 20 hectares have been
allocated for the project, he also said the Government is willing
to consider releasing more land should there be a need.
And despite the difficult economic climate, Singapore Sports
Council chief executive officer Oon Jin Teik said that plans for
the track will go ahead. “The Changi racetrack is a major component
of SSC’s overall motor sports industry development plan in
Singapore and it is intended to be funded by the private sector,”
said Oon.
“The current financial climate will have an impact on the types
and number of bidders that we will be able to attract. Nonetheless,
it can only serve to improve their quality and proposals. Weaker
players are unlikely to participate while stronger ones will need
to put together even better proposals that will enable them to
secure financial backing. Based on the feedback we’re receiving,
potential investors are still upbeat about the project.”
Friendlier Ticket Prices
In their regulations for 2008, the sport’s world governing body,
the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), has stipulated
that tracks hosting MotoGP races must be at least 3.5km long.
But Ezpeleta would like to see them longer than that. “We prefer
a race track with a length of at least 4km to 4.5km, but safety is
our top priority,” he said.
“It would be good also if the track could hold at least 70,000
people, but I am leaving that to the promoter in Singapore to
decide.
“Asia is important to MotoGP’s growth and Singapore is at the
centre of it, that is why we want to hold a round there. But like I
said, my agreement with the promoter in Singapore is subject to the
track being built.”
There is an added attraction to MotoGP, as ticket prices are far
more affordable. At the Malaysian MotoGP race earlier this month, a
seat at the main grandstand cost about RM230 (S$95), compared to
about RM1,800 for the same seat at the Formula 1 race there in
April this year.
But Ezpeleta, who has an “unwritten agreement” with Ecclestone
to ensure their events don’t clash, said: “If Singapore’s F1 race
is in September, we will have no choice but to plan a MotoGP race
to be held there in early 2011.” — TODAY/il