Formula 1 Heading For Phuket?

[webfact]

Formula 1 heading for Phuket?

PHUKET: -- Phuket, Khon Kaen or Nakhon Ratchasima could be a new venue for Thailand’s first Formula One event in 2015.

The Tourism and Sports Ministry had planned to host the race on Bangkok’s Rattanakosin Island, home to landmarks such as the Grand Palace. But the proposal has drawn protests from people in the area and from environmentalists.

Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Phurisisak said yesterday that the protests may prompt the organisers to move the venue to another province that has proper facilities for more than 100,000 people.

Phuket might be an ideal venue as it is a well-known city, while Khon Kaen and Nakhon Ratchasima are major provinces in the Northeast, he said.

The idea must be approved by the International Motoring Federation (FIA). If the FIA insists the event must be held in Bangkok, then it may have to be scrapped, he said.

“We may have to cancel the proposed Grand Prix,” he said.

Thailand is among several countries vying for a spot on the F1 calendar and the Sports Authority of Thailand last month agreed on a 5.995-km track layout for a night race through the heart of Bangkok.

The proposed route would start and finish at the Royal Thai Naval Dockyard next to the Chao Phraya river and near the Rama VIII Bridge and would then head south towards the Grand Palace.

It would then loop up to Ratchadamnoen Avenue, where Mark Webber completed a demonstration run in a Red Bull in 2010 (see video), go past Democracy Monument and loop back round to the start along Phra Sumen.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has reportedly given the green light for Thailand to host a race in 2015, in principle, but no contract has yet been signed.


-- Phuket News 2013-06-07

[dahinni]

come on how to design n build a "proper" track / facilities in 2 years

Edited June 7, 2013 by dahinni

[MJCM]

come on how to design n build a "proper" track / facilities in 2 years

The same as Monaco does, or Singapore it's called a Street Circuit!

Edited June 7, 2013 by MJCM

[JetsetBkk]

Exactly what I was thinking, mate:

.

[AhFarangJa]

Imagine the chaos in Bangkok, two days qualifying one day racing, doesn't bear thinking about

[ignis]

Would have thought Phuket Island would be better suited to the WRC ?

[joeaverage]

really, have they extended the qualy then?

anyways, phuket is just an awful idea unless they aim to showcase everything that is wrong with thailand.

And am i the only one who thinks that the thai government citing environmentalists as a reason for canceling the event is utterly laughable?

more likely the opportunity for skim was not high enough

Edited June 7, 2013 by joeaverage

[Buckeye21]

And have the race where in Phuket? Maybe they could incorporate Patong hill into track layout.

[MJCM]

Thank god, it's not in Pattaya. Where in god's name would they do it here ? Beach Road and Second Road with Pit boxes down Soi 6 ??

[andreandre]

come on how to design n build a "proper" track / facilities in 2 years

The same as Monaco does, or Singapore it's called a Street Circuit!

I have a feeling that the standards of streets in Monaco and Singapore are a wee bit higher standard than most on Phuket...

[steelepulse]

Pie in the sky, buy maybe some easy money for a "feasibility study" for a few connected politicians.

[retell]

And have the race where in Phuket? Maybe they could incorporate Patong hill into track layout.

why not koh phangan during fullmoon than the taxi vans can compete also (bet they will win ) going 120 up and down a steep mountain

Edited June 7, 2013 by retell

[TheShockMaster]

Let me guess... Paris Hilton is setting everything up and then ditching it when she realises it's a terrible idea.

[LivinginKata]

Pie in the sky, buy maybe some easy money for a "feasibility study" for a few connected politicians.

[I Like Thai]

If it's on in Phuket, the drivers will not be allowed to use their F1 cars. They will have to sit in the back of the local Tuk Tuks and be driven around the track by the local Taxi drivers.

[JulesMad]

Thank god, it's not in Pattaya. Where in god's name would they do it here ? Beach Road and Second Road with Pit boxes down Soi 6 ??

Actually, this is the best idea of today!!!

Pit boxes is Soi 6? Excellent idea, they already have the pit's pussies

[Songhua]

Hmm. The Karon straight. It's got a ring to it.

[starkey_rich]

They already hold the Bus F1 on patong hill about once a month.

They need to build some better crash barriers though.

[CrisRMenumate]

I thought Red Bull team used Sukhumvit Road as their practise area near Soi 53? they can get up to 220km along there, even with speed bumps cmon.. .really, Thailand can barely build a road, let alone one suitable for F1 cars going 350kph

[Felt 35]

Oh no, there are enough wannabe Formula 1 drivers here from before.

[GrantSmith]

The idea must be approved by the International Motoring Federation (FIA). If the FIA insists the event must be held in Bangkok, then it may have to be scrapped, he said.

There we have it folks... The all too familiar exercise in saving ones reputation...

No F1 in Thailand...

[phuketjoy]

It does not matter where the f they make it! it will bring billions of bath to Thailand ! and yes they can build a track in 2 years that for sure ! Phuket and Bangkok are the best choices so lets stop complaining and start saying yes to new f______ing things in Thailand! Thailand needs good publicity !!

Edited June 7, 2013 by LivinginKata
Inflammatory remark removed

[skorchio]

Phuket? what a joke, tuktuks will blockade it!!!!!

[drdoom6996]

The taxi drivers and Baht buses will have a hey day on this one.

[daiwill60]

Wasn't there a plan mentioned a month or two ago to build a massive multi billion baht track and test circuit near Buriram . Now that would be better, as there would be more room there at a purpose built venue, could do the super bike events there too . I am suprprised every one is so easy to knock the idea , it is as a previous poster mentioned a much needed new event to push Thailand forward a bit .

[Naroge]

Bangkok or Phuket, just don't do it. Let Thailand be the no-hub of F1 races.

[Rorri]

come on how to design n build a "proper" track / facilities in 2 years

The same as Monaco does, or Singapore it's called a Street Circuit!

I have a feeling that the standards of streets in Monaco and Singapore are a wee bit higher standard than most on Phuket...

Have to agree, check the extra ground clearance they had to use, for the demo run. and that was in Bangkok, Phuket's roads are much worse.

[Halion]

Fear not as this will never happen as the quality and infrastructure of such an event is well beyond the capabilities of our local elected officials. An egg and spoon race would be just about as much as they could deal with.

[sonar6ca]

By 2015 it will probably move to Burma.

[oldsailor35]

come on how to design n build a "proper" track / facilities in 2 years

The same as Monaco does, or Singapore it's called a Street Circuit!

Even the Aussies managed it in two different cities plus an Indy circuit at Surfers Paradise,