RACETRACK FOR SINGAPORE
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By Ernest Luis
March 24, 2006
SINGAPOREANS, start your engines.
Get ready for screeching tyres, ear-piercing sounds and the smell of burning rubber.
Come next March, Singapore should have its first proper motor-racing track in Tuas.
The western region may seem a bit ulu (remote), a faraway area where Singaporeans don't head to for leisure.
But Singaporeans, especially motor sports fans, will start to see Tuas in a different light.
Work on the track, named Tuas International Speedway, is expected to start in May.
Privately owned, it will cost an estimated $80 million.
But the racetrack will not be able to host Formula One races to rival that of Malaysia's 5.54km-long Sepang circuit.
The New Paper has learnt that the 3.37km circuit can only match FIA International Class 2 specifications.
Formula One tracks need Class 1 classification as extra land area is needed for safety purposes such as wide run-offs.
For now, Tuas International Speedway will be able to stage Formula 3 races, such as the popular events held in Macau, GT (Grand Touring) races and lower categories.
It's situated on a plot of land measuring about 600sqm - between Asia-Pacific Breweries and Raffles Marina along Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim, just before the Tuas checkpoint.
It is understood that the lease for the Jurong Town Corporation (JTC) land is for 20 years, and a deal will be sealed soon.
An initial launch is expected next month.
Said a corporation spokesman: 'JTC Corporation is in the final stages of negotiations to award to a private-sector consortium a site in Tuas, to develop a motor racetrack capable of holding races of international standards.
CLEARANCES
'The consortium is expecting to receive clearances from various regulatory agencies within a short time. More details will be made known probably in a month's time.'
The plot of land was targeted last year, in a bid spearheaded by Singapore Agro Agriculture, which is behind food-and-retail hub Turf City and kampung-style farm produce centre Farmart in Tengah.
Its four main business partners have formed a new company to run the racetrack.
They have been tight-lipped on the project since early last year.
But The New Paper has been tracking these developments since last April, when we published possible plans being studied for a Formula One street circuit in the Shenton Way/Marina Bay area.
A check with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority showed that Tuas International Speedway Pte. Ltd. was was registered on
26 Nov. The company was described as 'Car Racing Track Operators'.
But, what good is a racetrack without a major event?
Well, yesterday, the Japan GT Association (JGTA) confirmed there were negotiations to bring its popular series to Tuas International Speedway in June next year.
The Japan GT Championship stars former Formula One drivers such Ralph Firman (ex-Jordan in 2003) and Erik Comas (ex-Ligier and Larousse in the early 1990s).
In a phone interview from Japan, Satoru Tsuyama, 52, Pacific-Rim manager for JGTA, said: 'We are interested in bringing our championship to Singapore next year, once the operator has the track ready.
'Right now, Malaysia's Sepang circuit is the only international race we have on our calendar.
'The Japan GT Championship has always been looking to go more international and is the first Japanese series to do so.
'The Sepang race has points counted towards the overall championship, so drivers take it seriously.
'But if Japan GT comes to Singapore next year, the race will probably be an exhibition race at first.
'We need to see and assess how Singaporeans respond, and if sponsors in Singapore are willing to back the event, before we make it a permanent race with points counting towards the championship.'
The Sepang leg of the Japan GT Championship started in 2000, but was an exhibition race until 2002, when it became a permanent points-scoring fixture in the nine-round annual championship. It is held every June.
Tsuyama added: 'The crowd figures have been rising for Sepang. In 2004, there were about 25,000 fans. Last year, there were 38,000 fans, our highest so far in Sepang.'
20,000 SPECTATORS
Tuas International Speedway is expected to accommodate up to 20,000 spectators.
If the Japan GT race does come to Singapore, it would probably be held a week after the Sepang race, to cut down on travel and logistics.
The small Singaporean motor sports community is already abuzz with anticipation.
And fingers are crossed as fans wait for Tuas International Speedway to rev up to top speed in the next year.
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Motorsports park theme for Tuas circuit
A MOTORSPORTS park seems to be the main focus of Tuas International Speedway, along with major races being held throughout the year.
Apart from plans to bring in the Japan GT Championship race next June, Singapore motorsports fans can enjoy a few other forms of racing.
The race circuit in Tuas will also feature a 1.1km-long go-kart track, built alongside the main track.
For years the Singapore motor sports community has been looking forward to a permanent racetrack.
Go-karting is widely seen as the 'primary school of motor racing' if Singapore is to develop a generation of racecar drivers.
And the business potential has already been acknowledged in previous reports.
Defensive driving courses could also be on offer at the track.
Motor enthusiasts will be able to tune up their cars at a variety of specialist shops at the circuit.
And car companies can do tyre-testing and product-testing there.
Even hiring the track for leisure racing will be possible.
This will mean Singapore car clubs and companies won't necessarily travel to Malaysia's Sepang and Pasir Gudang circuits to satisfy their thirst for speed.
Restaurants are expected to be built as part of the grandstand in a clubhouse about four storeys high.
It will feature a lounge area, spa and a play area for children. -
The price for doing tracking in Singapore is well enough for me to go to sepang, do the track and then back to singapore with a full tank of V power
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agreed since petrol is dirt cheap there.....and trust me on this....they're gonna make it damn expensive for the track fees here....since its the ONE AND ONLY one in sg...just like kartworld.....Originally posted by Praetorian111:The price for doing tracking in Singapore is well enough for me to go to sepang, do the track and then back to singapore with a full tank of V power
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600sqm .... X 10.76 = 6456sq ft.Originally posted by iveco:By Ernest Luis
It's situated on a plot of land measuring about 600sqm - between Asia-Pacific Breweries and Raffles Marina along Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim, just before the Tuas checkpoint.
Tamiya race track?
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ECP is my racetrack!
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hope this is the birth of a strong motor-racing culture in singapore
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i doubt it....as the owner will make this into a monopoly...trust meOriginally posted by Theatre Of Dreams:hope this is the birth of a strong motor-racing culture in singapore -
Well, if you consider this is the only race track in singapore for cars, it is ALREADY a monooly. But at this moment I'm not complaining.. coz at least I have a place to chiong!Originally posted by AE86tofu:i doubt it....as the owner will make this into a monopoly...trust me
Also, with this track, owning a track car (non road registered race car) in Singapore will be cheaper and easier. Can store at the track or at home (pay $50 tow to track if wanna use.)
And if it gets really expensive... we still have PG next door.. hahaha.
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race track huh? I heard about this since 2002 until now. Everyone always say going to build one going to build one build until where?
My stand is very simple. I'll believe it when I see it. See this line in the report?
'The consortium is expecting to receive clearances from various regulatory agencies within a short time. More details will be made known probably in a month's time.'
Ya this one. If these plans for a racetrack live past this statement, good for u. Because that statement doesn't exactly encourage me. -
I wonder if there will be a team representing Singapore but born in china.Originally posted by HENG@:race track huh? I heard about this since 2002 until now. Everyone always say going to build one going to build one build until where?
My stand is very simple. I'll believe it when I see it. See this line in the report?
'The consortium is expecting to receive clearances from various regulatory agencies within a short time. More details will be made known probably in a month's time.'
Ya this one. If these plans for a racetrack live past this statement, good for u. Because that statement doesn't exactly encourage me.
Like the commonwealth game 1st top 3 was all from Singapore. But wait a min should I say most from china??
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ayah. who knows? talk about singapore, better not to hope for anything good. then when it does happen at least can be pleasantly surprised.Originally posted by Praetorian111:I wonder if there will be a team representing Singapore but born in china.
Like the commonwealth game 1st top 3 was all from Singapore. But wait a min should I say most from china?? -
okay the china people may be good in some sports, but i've never heard of them being known for motor racing.Originally posted by Praetorian111:I wonder if there will be a team representing Singapore but born in china.
Like the commonwealth game 1st top 3 was all from Singapore. But wait a min should I say most from china??
i certainly wish our motor racing scene in the future, if there ever was, would not be flooded by PRCs.
i'm a self-confessed anti-most-PRCs. -
I want to see how Tilke-like the layout will be...
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I hate PRCs too. Those whiz-kids from the Subcontinent are less of a threat than their PRC counterparts, IMO.Originally posted by Theatre Of Dreams:okay the china people may be good in some sports, but i've never heard of them being known for motor racing.
i certainly wish our motor racing scene in the future, if there ever was, would not be flooded by PRCs.
i'm a self-confessed anti-most-PRCs. -
don't think they can drive that well... most of them cycle leh...Originally posted by Praetorian111:I wonder if there will be a team representing Singapore but born in china.
Like the commonwealth game 1st top 3 was all from Singapore. But wait a min should I say most from china?? -
no F1?.....
go home larh........... -
have 2 start off small wad...u think malaysia started off with sepang meh.....Originally posted by hiphop2009:no F1?.....
go home larh........... -
sg not like malaysia got so much land to build more racing circuitsOriginally posted by AE86tofu:have 2 start off small wad...u think malaysia started off with sepang meh..... -
well, unless they were stoopid, they would know that the local motoring community have been making their ritualistic pilgrimages to sepang and PG for donkey years.Originally posted by AE86tofu:i doubt it....as the owner will make this into a monopoly...trust me
sure, having a home grown track would be great. but to convince the local motorheads that they are serious bout running a proper track in the interests of local motorsports, they better have the right price to woo the crowds over too. -
Are you sure this Tuas Circuit thing was annouced in 2002? I thought this idea was first mentioned in March 2005?Originally posted by HENG@:race track huh? I heard about this since 2002 until now. Everyone always say going to build one going to build one build until where?
My stand is very simple. I'll believe it when I see it. See this line in the report?
'The consortium is expecting to receive clearances from various regulatory agencies within a short time. More details will be made known probably in a month's time.'
Ya this one. If these plans for a racetrack live past this statement, good for u. Because that statement doesn't exactly encourage me.
in 12 months, they have more or less confirm the circuit layout, name of the circuit, and is currently negotiating with certain racing series to include singapore in their calender for 2007. There must be certain certainty before they could make such comments and date line isn't?
dont always pour cold water on what singapore is trying to do lah. -
the concerns I think should be insurance and the cost of running a track car in Singapore.. Not sure if you need COE of track cars?Originally posted by tailslide:well, unless they were stoopid, they would know that the local motoring community have been making their ritualistic pilgrimages to sepang and PG for donkey years.
sure, having a home grown track would be great. but to convince the local motorheads that they are serious bout running a proper track in the interests of local motorsports, they better have the right price to woo the crowds over too. -
look at kartworld man....the rates tt they are charging....so expensive....and moreover the owner of tt track is overseeing this current project...so i'm nt suprised tt he does the same for the new one....Originally posted by tailslide:well, unless they were stoopid, they would know that the local motoring community have been making their ritualistic pilgrimages to sepang and PG for donkey years.
sure, having a home grown track would be great. but to convince the local motorheads that they are serious bout running a proper track in the interests of local motorsports, they better have the right price to woo the crowds over too. -
yes, he is involve with the karting side of the business and I think kartworld will close when the other side is up and running. Understand that it will be quite a good track. I believe the main reason for the expensive price is due to the cost of land in singapore. Let home the "waste land" at Tuas will not cost a fortune for the operator.Originally posted by AE86tofu:look at kartworld man....the rates tt they are charging....so expensive....and moreover the owner of tt track is overseeing this current project...so i'm nt suprised tt he does the same for the new one.... -
i think there is no issue; no insurance company would ever wanna cover private track cars knowing their intended use.Originally posted by Gazelle:the concerns I think should be insurance and the cost of running a track car in Singapore.. Not sure if you need COE of track cars?
cost wise can be pretty easily worked out depending on whether u specially import one for off road usage or recon an existing car. COE is unlikely 2 pose any obstacles considering such cars are gonna be run in a closed private circuit. think of a person racing his lawn mower around his own backyard. dun think garmen can give him a ticket for having no COE 4 it. -
yeah, but look at how much money kartworld is making man. i'm surprised its still surviving. but my point is really, if u kart, u can't drive ur kart elsewhere to kart. there really isn't much incentive for u to take ur hobby anywhere else. but if u talk bout race tracks, there can be no monopoly in a sense, u can juz drive north to get the same thrill if the price doesn't suit u. the price has to be rite to get the desired response. besides, in comparison, between choosing to pay more to use a class 2 track and driving 3 hrs to use a cheaper class 1 track (sepang), i think the choice is pretty clear for most ppl.Originally posted by AE86tofu:look at kartworld man....the rates tt they are charging....so expensive....and moreover the owner of tt track is overseeing this current project...so i'm nt suprised tt he does the same for the new one....