Motorsports Hub awaits building green light
SG Changi plans to start construction as early as June, provided it gets approval from all relevant authorities
By NISHA RAMCHANDANI
CONSTRUCTION on Singapore's much anticipated Changi Motorsports Hub could flag off as early as June or July, if all goes according to plan.
The winning consortium, SG Changi, is targeting to have the $330 million mega project completed by end 2011, and the first race underway by 2012.
If SG Changi manages to get approval from all the relevant authorities, construction could kick off in three-four months, said director Thia Yoke Kian.
SG Changi, which edged out both Singapore Agro Agriculture and Sports Services to win the bid, came out tops based on the innovative design, flexibility and functionality of its proposal, financial strength of the consortium as well as the quality of racing events, the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) revealed at a press briefing yesterday.
'We can only say we would have enough funding,' confirmed SG Changi director and Singaporean lawyer Eddie Koh in response to a query on whether the group had secured sufficient financing.
The majority of the investment is said to stem from the consortium's Japanese counterparts, director and former Japan GT driver Genji Hashimoto and director Fuminori Murahashi.
SG Changi's proposed project, to be built on a 41 hectare sea-facing site near Changi Airport, will include an FIA Grade-2 3.7 kilometre racetrack designed by track specialists from Japan, a CIK Grade A 1.2 km go-kart track plus seating capacity for some 20,000 spectators.
Meanwhile, its motorsports academy will train talent from the motoring community with regard to both racing and engineering, with the long-term aim of creating ambassadors who can represent Singapore on an international platform. SG Changi has linked up with Korea-based E-Rain Racing Academy and a German consultant for the motorsports academy.
To cater to a wider audience beyond race fans, the motorsports hub was designed as a lifestyle venue, integrating F&B and retail facilities, a motorsports museum, a club house, a bonded warehouse and even a hotel.
The group's winning bid also included 'green' initiatives, such as installing solar panels on the roof of the main grandstand, which could be used to generate power.
'This exciting new project will be a great boost for motorsports in Singapore by providing a permanent base to groom motorsports talent, promote industry development, host new international events and provide more entertainment and lifestyle options for Singaporeans and tourists,' affirmed Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports.
As it currently stands, the racing calendar is expected to include international and regional events, such as the SuperGT series, Formula Nippon and the Japanese Formula 3 series. On the local front, events such as the Karting Championship, Drag Racing Championship and Drifting Championship are slated to take place.
While the Grade 2 track will not be able to host the Formula One (F1), the group is in talks to bring in MotoGP - the F1 of motorcycling - although the track first has to get the thumbs up from the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).
For organisations such as the Traction Circle Club, the upcoming motorsports hub will mean greater convenience and potentially, cost savings.
The club, whose members are made up of motoring enthusiasts, makes regular treks to the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) for 'track days', said president Cheong Chung Kin.
SG Changi will operate the Changi Motorsports Hub for a 30-year period.
Copyright © 2010 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.
KEY ATTRACTION
The project will include an FIA Grade 2 3.7 km racetrack designed by track specialists from Japan, a CIK Grade A 1.2 km go-kart track plus seating capacity for some 20,000 spectators
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