Nov 4, 2007
A track to grow
motorsports
Motor enthusiasts see Changi circuit as vital in promoting racing
culture
By Leonard Lim & Wang Meng Meng
TO MOTORSPORTS enthusiasts, the permanent track to be built at
Changi is more than just an alternative to the Pasir Gudang or
Sepang circuits in Malaysia.
More importantly, it represents an integral piece of a jigsaw in
the promotion of a motorsports culture here.
'It will be crucial in building up an awareness and culture of
motorsports,' said Singapore Motor Sports Association (SMSA)
president Tan Teng Lip.
'Having events there year-round will also be the perfect complement
to Formula One.'
The fraternity had been lobbying for a permanent track for the past
few years, after a re-emergence of interest in motorsports not seen
since the Singapore Grand Prix days at Thomson Road from 1961 to
1973.
Last Friday, their wish was granted when the Government announced
that it would invite the private sector to submit proposals for a
racetrack around the middle of next year.
The news, coming five months after Singapore announced it would
host its first F1 race next September, got fans like Tony Tan
'visiting a new high'.
Said the SMSA official: 'For any sport to grow, you need facilities
for people to go to. It's like football, you can't have an
international football competition without a proper stadium.
'We've sometimes had to stage our events, like go-kart races, at
car parks around the island.'
'When completed, the Changi track will truly be like a home to us,
to host events and high-speed demonstrations.'
Local enthusiasts who have had to endure the inconvenience of
travelling to Sepang on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur or the Pasir
Gudang circuit in Johor to get their fix will soon have Changi at
their doorstep.
Said manager Stanley Song: 'The biggest drawback of Sepang is
getting there and back, which takes a few hours. There are also
multiple toll fees and a high dosage of petrol needed.'
The Government has said that the privately funded track, once
completed around 2011, must stage at least three international
races and two national series annually.
The Grade 2 facility will be able to stage the likes of
motorcycling's MotoGP, the A1 Grand Prix and the Japan's Super GT
races - basically anything except F1.
The buzz from such races, along with industry roadshows and
exhibitions that will almost certainly be staged, will ensure that
the fever created from F1 does not cool down after the street
race.
Said regional IT manager Christopher Ng: 'Other than F1, Singapore
needs feeder races such as the A1 Grand Prix to help the country
gain a strong foothold as a motor-racing hub. Building the track
will certainly make these other races a reality.'
It is understood that parties in Singapore had been approached to
host an A1 or World Touring Car Championship race in the
past.
But the absence of a permanent track was a stumbling block.
For professional racer Hafiz Koh, who competed in the A1 series
last year, the Changi track will allow him to practise locally
instead of having to go to places like Sepang.
He said: 'Depending on how the Government wants to market the area,
other motor-related businesses, such as car workshops, could be
located there.'
SMSA president Tan hopes to nurture more racers like Koh, with the
mandatory driver training school to be built with the track.
'A training programme for youngsters can be worked out, starting
them with go-karts at ages eight or nine,' he said. 'They can then
progress to other forms of racing when they grow older.'
CIMB-GK economist Song Seng Wun is rubbing his hands with glee,
even as he thinks it is too early to put a dollar value to how much
the motorsports industry would potentially be worth to the
economy.
The self-confessed fan of multiple MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi
hopes to see his idol racing at Changi in the future.
He said: 'There'll probably be some small industry that springs up
here once F1 comes around. The activities at the track will help
sustain it for the whole year.
'Perhaps, one day, we can produce someone to race in a world-class
competition.'
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Local car enthusiasts react
GREAT NEWS FOR CAR NUTTERS
'I hope to see a really great track at Changi, which will invite
international competitions here to make it a viable venture.
Changi's proximity means saving drivers two or three tanks of
petrol driving on the North-South Highway to Sepang. It is also
much safer driving in Singapore.'
- JAMES MITCHELL (left), 37, head of IT development for a bank and
an ex-co member of the Traction Circle Club, a car club with 400
members.
A BOOST FOR CAR TUNERS
'It's a positive move for tuners of performance cars like us. Every
weekend, there are easily 60 to 80 Singaporean cars driving up to
Sepang. The Changi race track can be what the Zhuhai International
Circuit is to Hong Kong. Out of the 80 events held at Zhuhai every
year, at least 60 are catered for Hong Kong enthusiasts.'
- LESTER WONG (right), 35, director of car tuners Garage R
KEEP CHANGI RACETRACK FEES AFFORDABLE
'Sepang's biggest drawback is its distance from Singapore. It takes
a few hours for a return trip, multiple toll fees and lots of
petrol. I hope the Changi racetrack will charge affordable fees for
public use.'
- STANLEY SONG (left), manager of an energy company
INCORPORATE SAFETY FEATURES
'Sepang is a beautiful circuit and a joy to drive on, with numerous
safety run-off areas should things get too hot. A long straight
would also be very desirable, to allow for drag races.'
- CALVIN CHIN (centre), supply-chain leader for a global management
firm
FEEDER RACES NECESSARY
'Singapore needs feeder races such as the A1 Grand Prix to help it
gain a strong foothold as a motor-racing hub. Building the track
will certainly make these races a reality.'
- CHRISTOPHER NG (right), regional IT manager
ST PHOTOS: CHEW SENG KIM
Copyright © 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd.
