Faith Teo, The Electric New Paper 19 Nov 07;
Motorsport Experience - Punggol Way
GO GO-KARTING
IT'S all systems go for the K1 Karting Series of heartland go-kart racing events.
On 30 Dec, Punggol Way will be closed to traffic, and turned into a race track for a day.
It will be the first of more than 10 such motorsport events scheduled till July next year - all in heartland locations.
While professional kart races will be the highlight, spectators will also be able to catch souped-up race cars in demonstrations along the 1.5km stretch of road.
The Motorsport Experience, as it is called, will include both sprints and drifting.
And all this won't be happening on a straight road. The end of Punggol Way is a tight hairpin turn, enough to test the skills of the best of drivers.
The organisers, CS Racing, are creating a carnival atmosphere, to cater to the whole family. The public can try fun-carting, which involves slower go-karts.
The organiser's aim to educate the public about racing as a sport led the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) to lend its weight to the privately run events.
Mr Fan Chian Jen, SSC's deputy director of motorsports and corporate development, said the events are in line with the Government's aim to make motorsport big here.
RACING IN HEARTLANDS
He said the K1 series, spearheaded by CS Racing and Singapore Motorsports Association, came about after they approached the People's Association with the idea of taking racing to the heartlands
'It's a very commendable effort, and K1 will be seen in history as the seed that grew into a motorsport industry in Singapore,' said Mr Fan, 33.
'This education is very important. If the public participates in the K1 Series, they will get a first hand experience of what karting is. And karting is the starting point of motorsport.
'We want kids to learn about motorsport, and see that it's a sport like any other sport.'
So what's in store for Singapore racing enthusiasts in the near future, besides next year'sF1?
A feasibility study done by several government agencies explored the potential and consulted foreign race series owners and track developers. It culminated in the decision to build the Changi race track.
A tendering process for the track will be launched in May next year, and it is slated for completion in 2011.
'We want to introduce motorsports to the masses, and nurture young talents. We hope to have a Singaporean racer in the international races one day,' said MrFan.
It took F1 to wake up an otherwise languishing local motorsport industry.
'There is a lot of interest in the Changi race track, because it will be a big one... there is so much enthusiasm that a track is being built in Tuas on private money.
'Now, the public can look forward to world-class racing events that will be hosted in Singapore. We have a geographical and branding advantage.'
ACCESSIBLE TO MASSES
So, how accessible will the Changi track be to the average enthusiast with his souped-up saloon?
'The project is driven by the SSC, and it is our priority to make motorsports affordable and accessible to the masses. That was the consideration when we decided to build the Changi track. But it is a private venture, and has to be commercially viable,' said Mr Fan.
What about car racing on closed streets? After all, it is now going to be done for kart racing.
'There are pros and cons when it comes to a road race. It causes inconvenience to businesses and residences. There are risks because roads are not designed for racing and the curves are too sharp. There are a lot of safety issues,' he said.
'But we do see that a street race is a spectacular, exciting experience. If it happens in the city, like F1, the benefits the race brings need to be very big.'
