Filed under: Motorsports, Plants/Manufacturing
Qatar wants a grand prix, too
Another day, another
The Losail International Circuit was built in 2004 for $58 million primarily as a motorcycle racing track. It has held top-level events for the MotoGP and Superbike series, and even held a Grand Prix Masters race in 2006. But to get up to F1 standards, it will need massive improvements, including large run-off areas to make it safe enough for Formula One cars to do their thing. The local racing federation is now inviting tenders to bid on the project, but even once the renovations are complete, that won't mean it will get a race.
[Source: GrandPrix.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Greg 9:04AM (3/28/2008)
Hell yeah, let them have it. If they take away the MotoGP round there, even better.
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MKIV 10:52AM (3/28/2008)
Why is it better if they take the MotoGP away from there? Not sure I follow you.
Greg 1:04PM (3/28/2008)
It's in the middle of nowhere, there aren't any racing fans nearby, the track is too hot for tires during the day, too cold for tires at night, lighting doesn't work as well because the track is so wide, and the track isn't particularly good for motorcycles. The home straight is very long, the turns are too wide, and not complicated enough. It's a much better track for cars than for bikes.
BPeredo 9:20AM (3/28/2008)
The fact that they are willing to stage a night race and have proven so with this year's MotoGP race will certainly please Bernie Ecclestone. It wouldn't surprise me if they are included in the calendar someday.
Although they'll have some competition as that calendar will include other new venues such as India, South Korea, and Abu Dhabi (as mentioned in the article), among the new venues this season alone (Singapore; Valencia).
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Hiro11 10:38AM (3/28/2008)
The paraphrase what Jackie Stewart said about the ridiculous, ~$500MM F1 track in Shanghai: there's no way a democracy could build a facility like this.
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why not the LS2LS7? 10:49AM (3/28/2008)
I have little doubt they'll get their race. I'm also pretty sure F1's flight to eager but out-of-the-way places is not good for F1's health long term.
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