Govt calls for proposals to build permanent race track in Changi

[ambasnakeman]

Channel NewsAsia

Channel NewsAsia - 2 hours 50 minutes ago

 

SINGAPORE : The government is calling for proposals to build a permanent race track in Changi.

 

 

This is to help make Singapore into a regional motor sports hub by riding on the F1 fever that has hit the country.

 

Due to its size, the proposed Grade 2 track is not designed for F1, but other smaller races.

 

Races like the A1 are just some of the exciting events that could come to Singapore should this proposed track design materialise.

 

A 20—hectare land off Changi Coast Road will be the site for the permanent facility.

 

Its seafront location will make it one of the most scenic circuits in Asia.

 

More importantly, the track will allow year—round usage and have benefits beyond sport.

 

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports said: "It is also an industry that we want to promote. A lot of people think the production and building of cars is not something that Singapore has a role in. But contrary to that, if you look at modern cars, there is a lot of research development, high—tech planning and design which goes into it and as Singapore moves up the value chain. Singapore’s high precision engineering and our past experience will give us a competitive edge."

 

Testing of cars aside, driver training courses can also be conducted.

 

The track will cost some $84 million and the ministry said there are interested parties.

 

It will be the most compact and efficient in Asia — measuring about 2.8km.

 

"With limited space, there will be a compromise because the longer the track, the more corners there will be. This also means the track is likely to be slower compared to a shorter track. But having said that, you also depend very much on the design of the track," said Fan Chien Jen, Deputy Director, Motor Sports Development Division, Singapore Sports Council.

 

The track will also allow the sport to grow here and develop future champions at a racing academy.

 

"A chance for a driving school perhaps... some kind of academy that’ll give the driver a chance to get on the pathway. It will allow the masses to enjoy this, not only as a spectator but also to drive," said Oon Jin Teik, CEO of Singapore Sports Council.

 

The ministry will not fund the project. It will call for proposals both here and overseas in May 2008.

 

The track is expected to be up and running by 2011. — CNA /ls

[spiderman]

2011? Damn long way to go man.

[RESPECT]

by then i would have hit your age, amba

[NoLogicOne]

The whole report mentions "car" and "drive"..... Come on, Singapore show some love to "bikes" and "rides", lol.

[ambasnakeman]

it will be quite interesting, if i have to learn later that this track is gonna be built without run off area(a must have for bikes in my opinion).

 

i noticed the car part too. though they are the main customer market, i was not sure why they didnt mention bike or vehicles in general.....i am starting to get a bad feeling.

 

JK or Hockie, care to shed some light?

[Raptor]

When I see the track with my own eyes then I believe.

 

Till then, its all the airy fairy stuff and I really doubt it will be ready by the dateline of 2011. Got to be realistic.

[hockie69]

i noticed the car part too. though they are the main customer market, i was not sure why they didnt mention bike or vehicles in general.....i am starting to get a bad feeling.

 

 

finally....the news is out.....2yr of planning....lots of sweat & tears.lolz

 

do remember that...motorsport racing was dangerous in some top level mindset ppl....till he retired....and the son take over.

 

so...things have to move slowly but steadly......(motorsport can earn $$ 1 leh)

 

there will be run-off area in corners....so bikes still can use !

[Doctor DOL 46]

This news shud be treated seriously and positively.. Being negative sounds unfair to those ppl dat has work thier ass out to put this together..

 

Lets all be POSITIVE, pleaseeee....

[jerkeel]

kip our fingers crossed n see wat happens

[hockie69]

This news shud be treated seriously and positively.. Being negative sounds unfair to those ppl dat has work thier ass out to put this together..

 

Lets all be POSITIVE, pleaseeee....

 

thanks for the kind words.

 

it usualy the case lor...those on the outside fence only know how to KPKB...but dunno those working inside the fence are busting balls just to make it happen.

 

in anyway...the track is firm...as for the official date...again...it will come.

 

doing nothing & sitting on the fence aint consider as "aids".

 

lets look forward to better motorsport for our little island.

[ambasnakeman]

finally a chance for kids to get into this sport

[Raptor]

thanks for the kind words.

 

it usualy the case lor...those on the outside fence only know how to KPKB...but dunno those working inside the fence are busting balls just to make it happen.

 

in anyway...the track is firm...as for the official date...again...it will come.

 

doing nothing & sitting on the fence aint consider as "aids".

 

lets look forward to better motorsport for our little island.

 

Sorry if I am sounding like one of those who know how to KPKB.

Trust me... I do LOVE to see the track become a reality.

 

I salute those who are busting their balls to make it happen, don't get me wrong. They better get used to getting critical and seemingly 'ungrateful' comments coz you cannot please everyone, you are dealing with Singaporeans.

 

Be prepared for some to say that the project is a waste of money and precious land space.

 

I just hope that it would be a contract that is taken up by one party only... or else there is bound to be squabbles. Its the squabbles that are going to cause delays in the construction, hence my viewpoint.

 

I don't think I am saying something that is completely new.

 

Anyway, I wish all those involved success in this endeavour.

 

Peace out.

[hockie69]

Trust me... I do LOVE to see the track become a reality.

 

, don't get me wrong. They better get used to getting critical and seemingly 'ungrateful' comments coz you cannot please everyone, you are dealing with Singaporeans.

 

Peace out.

 

no worry uncle raptor.....i aint targetting u neither.

 

infact....even before the master plan...oredei heard enough of those "comment" liao...so kind of get used to it liao.

 

whats most important now is to look forward for the future...for good or bad...we still have a track.like it or not....but it a great way to start.

 

of course stategy is important also la...must start from car mah...then the rest will benefit...if dun start at all...then whats there to talk about.

 

i'm cool.

[hockie69]

finally a chance for kids to get into this sport

 

 

go karts.....mini bike....then car....then full on mod car....GT car....bikes....hell....it going to be a "motorsport city" which is on the pipeline.

 

while the mean time...lets just enjoy our neighbour's facilitys 1st.

[skiddie_67]

woah... this is excellent news!!!

Night street-race F1, new motorcross track at Tuas... and now a motosports circuit...! Soon motoGPs and WSBK will also hit our shores... hehehe

I think we can start planning our first club race for the opening ceremony... hehe...

[edmundino]

by then i would have hit your age, amba

 

Will you hit his standard too? Hee hee....Cheers to you....

[RESPECT]

Will you hit his standard too? Hee hee....Cheers to you....

 

i hope so.

[hachi]

Hope is less than $50 per hours if not we are better off to GD...

[Sesshou]

saw the news in todays paper. good news we are going to have our own track

[william_liu]

Can this new track be qualified to hold MotoGP and WSBK races?

[Raptor]

Was at PG today for the Track day.

 

The chinese lady in the office showed me a chinese newspaper article about this Changi race track.

 

Though she was smiling... I can detect a hint of fear somewhere.

[lowiq30]

Can this new track be qualified to hold MotoGP and WSBK races?

 

According to the news article, its a yes. But I think they

wrongly mentioned that the Motogp race got 500cc.

[lowiq30]

According to the news article, its a yes. But I think they

wrongly mentioned that the Motogp race got 500cc.

 

Singapore Race Track

[kingpet47]

it is a very technical track rather than a fast track....

upz for spore.... !

[ambasnakeman]

once, there was a discovery channel programme about mrt system of singapore.

 

they praised singapore, as master planners.

 

for all u know, track can act as a runway.

 

but i like the concept, like philip island....track by the coast. no seagulls though.....which also means no air raid