Nov 3, 2006
Second F1 racetrack on the cards in Johor

JOHOR - MALAYSIA might get a second Formula One (F1) racetrack, TV3 reported yesterday, adding one in Johor to the existing track in Sepang.

If everything goes according to plan, Danga Bay in the Southern Johor Economic Region (SJER) may get the track by next year.

The plan was announced to the media yesterday by senior officers from the Johor State Economic Planning Unit and the government investment arm, Khazanah Nasional, TV3 reported.

Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi is scheduled to unveil the SJER masterplan tomorrow. :banana:

SJER covers more than 2,000 sq km and is divided into five main zones.

Danga Bay, a RM15 billion (S$6.5 billion) waterfront development in the zone, is being developed under a 15-year project.

According to the project's management authorities, F1 is keen to join the development.

'We have officials visiting us from F1 and when they saw our place, they were quite excited because it's very unique, in the way that our roads are well-connected. It forms a loop and it is all facing the waterfront,' Danga Bay project manager Christopher Yeo said.

Malaysia's existing F1 racetrack in Selangor, the Sepang International Circuit, was officially opened on March 9, 1999, and has since become one of the country's top tourist draws.

Early negotiations for the second track are under way, said officials at yesterday's briefing, and the race may be held on public roads, just like in Monaco. :cheers:

It would need, among others, a 3.5km track with all the safety features of the sport.

Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved



yesterday night i saw some part of SJER masterplan n it's look awesome..in fact, its can match Shenzhen. :)

.

Nov 3, 2006

Early negotiations for the second track are under way, said officials at yesterday's briefing, and the race may be held on public roads, just like in Monaco. :cheers:



Pretty, I've always loved Monaco.

Sounds great! All those lorongs in jb will get their time of their life!

OHh SJER masterplan is more than I think...not play play :colgate:

wow...will it be approved to have two F! track in one country?

^^^ yaya..i'm thinking bout that too....

Having 2 F1 tracks is nice but I hope they make critical assessment of the project first.:)

It is quite rare for a single country to host 2 F1 race in a same calendar.

Perhaps, the track in Johor is for a smaller race such as Formula 3, Formula BMW or even IndyCar.

Maybe it's an F1 compatible track meant to be use for A1 races?

Singapore will be hosting an F1 race soon as well. Not likely that there will be a 3rd F1 venue in this area anytime soon, unless it is at the expense of Sepang. They would probably target India, Russia or South Africa rather than a 3rd venue here.

Or is this another of those "Disneyland in Malaysia" type of news? All hot air to be followed by a more prosaic explanation later on.

Honestly speaking... do we really need another F1 track?

hah? F1 track at JB..just like monaco? must be joking....they are getting way to ambitious here....Singapore already submitted their proposals for hosting F1 this year since FIA will expand their F1 Calendar to a possible 20 races in 2008...for sure Singapore will get it IMO...no offense to anyone...but i prefer it to be at singapore rather than our own soil at the southern region there...just concentrate on Sepang...

I think its a great idea,but having 2 tracks as other forumers said,inappropriate.

Maybe it's an F1 compatible track meant to be use for A1 races?

Mayb its for our poor mat rempit. But well, I am amused why our tourism ministry is so interested of turning illegal racing into tourist attraction. Whats so special bout this stunts that foreigners cant see in their own motherland? Anyway, tis is what we used to say.. Malaysia Boleh.

wow...will it be approved to have two F! track in one country?

well, Germany has 2 circuits. but they do not use both in the same year ;)

i think Malaysia should still concentrate on Sepang.

somehow i think,a second race track....errr...not suitable lar......just ain't suitable...

Johor already has a racetrack, the Pasir Gudang Johor circuit. If we have race tracks in other states, there could be a Malaysian based race. Like the V8 Supercar race in Australia, the Indy Racing League in the US, Japan GT racing, British Formula 3. Why build a second track in Johor? What's wrong with the Pasir gudang track? Can't it be upgraded into F1? do we need second one... there's already an f1 track in sepang.

Johor really like to waste money leh....~~~

I think the F1 circuit in Johore is just a wasting of our tax-payer money. I am sure that Pak Lah will call off the project since it is just a white elephant project...:bash: