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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.