Motor racing makes comeback with Tuas track
By SAMUEL EE
(SINGAPORE) Car racing will return to Singapore. Work on a
permanent track costing at least US$15 million starts soon at Tuas,
confirming an earlier BT report.
A site of more than 50 acres near Asia Pacific Breweries on Jalan
Ahmad Ibrahim will house a race track and various leisure-related
buildings. The 20-year lease for the JTC land is estimated at
between $10 million and $15 million.
Funding for the project is said to come from Singapore Agro
Agricultural (SAA), one of Turf City's main shareholders. When
contacted, SAA said it has no comment for now. And JTC called the
project 'confidential'.
But a source said infrastructure at the site will include buildings
for cafes, restaurants and even a shopping centre to make the
project commercially viable.
'It will be a destination for the whole family,' he said. 'While
dad is watching the race, mum and the kids can entertain themselves
or go shopping.'
A country club is also on the cards, where members will enjoy
leisure facilities and other club privileges.
The track is said to be about 3km long - slightly shorter than the
Pasir Gudang track in Johor. The circuit will be FIA-sanctioned but
it won't be for Formula One races - partly because of the
astronomical hosting fees required.
FIA is the world governing body for motor sports and organises
other events such the World Touring Car and GT championships.
'We are not targeting F1 but we will still have races that will
bring in spectator crowds,' said the source. 'The touring car
championship will have entrants who drive cars like the Alfa Romeo
156, BMW 3 Series, and even the Chevrolet Optra - cars you and I
can associate with.'
There will also be weekend races and track days - something that
should excite local motor sports enthusiasts who have been lobbying
the authorities for a circuit. Until now, these recreational racers
have only had car park rallies, like those organised by the
Singapore Motor Sports Association. But permits for these have not
been issued since late 2003.
The source said construction of the Tuas track is expected to begin
in a few months once regulatory approvals are given.
The land earmarked for the circuit is said to have been put on the
market early last year. It is zoned for motor racing activities and
SAA tendered for it late last year.
Singapore is considering motor sports as a way to boost tourism,
and races here could also be marketed as part of a regional series
involving other Asean countries. The last time there was any
organised racing locally was in the 1970s. But the Singapore Grand
Prix was dropped because of the Opec oil embargo.
