Could Hong Kong host an F1 grand prix? Plan for motor racing circuit near airport is submitted
- Proposal handed to city’s government, estimating the construction cost at up to US$200 million
- Automobile Association aiming to secure land near the airport, on the north side of Lantau Island
The governor of the Hong Kong Automobile Association (HKAA), Lawrence Yu Kam-kee, told the South China Morning Post that his organisation had handed a plan of 20-plus pages to the Chief Executive’s Office – the office of Hong Kong’s leader – and was awaiting a response.
“We need a motor racing circuit as part of a modern city, just like we needed the Kai Tak Sports Park now being built in Kowloon, to help provide a variety of top-class sporting events to the people of Hong Kong and potentially those from our neighbours.”
Yu said that his association had been in contact with the government departments and bureaus concerned before submitting its proposal, and hoped to secure a site on the north side of Lantau Island, where Hong Kong International Airport was previously built on reclaimed land.
“We understand there is land space reserved for sporting venues in the northern Lantau reclamation, so we sincerely hope the government can address our request,” Yu said.
“The circuit would not only be for use for motor racing. It could serve other events such as long-distance running, cycling, triathlon and karting, and be the venue for car shows and demonstrations. It can be a multisport venue.”
Yu said it was too early to say whether the venue could help to bring Formula 1 racing to Hong Kong.
“A formula event needs a long, straight road towards the finish, which we hope the government can reserve when planning the transport system in the area,” he said.
“It would become part of our proposed circuit only when we needed it for staging big events – which would make the facility more cost-effective. It happens in other motor racing circuits all over the world.”
Commissioner for Sports Yeung Tak-keung said that the reclamation project was still in the planning stage.
“The proposal of providing sports facilities will be included in the detailed study,” he said.
The HKAA estimated that the venue would cost about US$100 million to US$200 million, and construction would take two to three years to complete.
Owen Chan Sheung-loi, the association’s chief executive, said that he would ask a consultancy company to design the venue if positive feedback was received on the proposal.
“We will provide a detailed design once we have received a response from the government,” he said.
“Motor racing has a long history in Hong Kong and has produced many renowned drivers over the years, even without a permanent circuit. Many of our drivers are racing in Macau, Southeast Asia and other parts of the world, and it will be a major boost for the sport if we can have a circuit in Hong Kong.”
Victoria Park, on Hong Kong Island, staged an international karting event in the 1980s, but was discontinued because of the noise levels the event produced. The Hong Kong-Beijing Rally was held first in 1985 and then six further times until the 1990s.
