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SINGAPORE : The Singapore Sports Council has declared SG Changi the winner of the race to build Singapore's first permanent racing track.
SG Changi was one of three consortiums that submitted bids for the Changi Motorsports Hub. The other two bidders were Singapore Agro Agriculture and Sports Services.
SG Changi's plan features a S$280 million facility, which can seat 20,000 spectators.
The centrepiece is a four-kilometre track, which is longer than the current 3.7-kilometre one, and is good enough to meet FIA requirements.
It will be divided in half, so that separate races can take place.
It also has a 1.2-kilometre karting track.
Away from the track are lifestyle attractions like food and beverage outlets, a beach front and a museum.
SG Changi's the design and look were deemed innovative, flexible and functional.
SG Changi topped it up with an assurance that it has secured sound financing.
The next step is to start work and get it ready on time, by the end of 2011.
Vivian Balakrishnan, Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister, said: "Although it is a significant investment, nevertheless I think it is still of a size which can be executed fairly rapidly, and I am hoping that there would be no undue delays. We will now help facilitate all their approvals for building permits and the rest of it."
The government hopes the Hub will promote and develop motor sports and groom home grown talent.
A racing academy is one way to achieve this goal.
As the work begins to get the Hub up and running, the work also goes on to deliver quality track action.
Eddie Koh, director, SG Changi, said: "There are many international races and we have been in contact with some of these companies that run races. We are looking at GT races from Japan, from Europe, maybe from Asia also."
The Grade 2 track cannot host the Formula One race - which will continue to be a street race in Singapore for now - but there are plans to bring the Moto GP, which is the F1 of motor bikes.
Like the Singapore Formula One night race, the permanent track too will host events under the stars. And there are also plans to build a 120-room hotel, once the authorities give the green light. After all, the facility is being promoted as a tourist attraction. - CNA/il/ms
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