Singapore lined up in 2011
Added on Friday, October 31st, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
The success of the F1 Grand Prix is thought to have influenced interest in Singapore.
Singapore will host a MotoGP event from as early as 2011, according to reports in the local media.
Dorna Sports boss Carmelo Ezpeleta was reported in the Today newspaper that the championship would be adding Singapore to the calendar in the near future and that an agreement was already in place with an unnamed promoter.
“Yes, I can confirm that we have signed an agreement with a promoter to stage a round of the motorbike world championships in Singapore,” Ezpeleta told the Today newspaper.
“But it depends when the permanent track you are going to build will be completed. I understand it will be up in three years’ time, so you can have a race there as early as 2011, if not 2012.”
The decision appears to have been influenced by the massive success of the recent Formula 1 Grand Prix which, taking place on the streets of Singapore, was the first F1 event to be staged under floodlights although the MotoGP Grand Prix will race on a purpose-built track in the Changi area of the island rather than a street circuit
Despite the difficult economic climate, Singapore Sports Council (SSC) chief executive officer Oon Jin Teik said that plans for the track have not changed.
“The Changi racetrack is a major component of SSC’s overall motor sports industry development plan in Singapore and it is intended to be funded by the private sector,” said Oon.
“The current financial climate will have an impact on the types and number of bidders that we will be able to attract. Nonetheless, it can only serve to improve their quality and proposals.”
Ezpeleta added that Asia was an important area for the sport’s future.
“Asia is important to MotoGP’s growth and Singapore is at the centre of it, that is why we want to hold a round there. But like I said, my agreement with the promoter in Singapore is subject to the track being built,” he said.
