NEWS
Preparations underway for Korea’s first F1 Grand P
Writer
administ
Posted at
2009-11-10
Korea’s first F1 Grand Prix, preparations underway [F1 Preparation & Planning Team] 286-3040
- All-out effort to form an organization committee to develop traffic measures and accommodation facilities… Anticipating a new horizon for Korean motorsports -
The world’s most prestigious motorsport event, the 2010 Formula 1 Korea Grand Prix is only a year away.
Destined to become a monumental event in the motorsports history of Korea, the Korean Grand Prix will be held for 3 days from October 15 to 17, in 2010 at the Korea International Circuit (tentative name) located in Yeongam, Jeollanam-do. Let’s have a look at the progress made so far as well as the significance of hosting this event and the tasks to be fulfilled over the next year.
◇Turning point for reviving motorsports
Of the largest scale by far among all sports events to be held in Korea in 2010, the Korean Grand Prix will be a turning point that will markedly revive the motorsports industry in Korea. This will be an opportunity to showcase the scale and competitiveness of the Korean automobile industry to the world. A tangible economic effect will surely result.
Following the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup, Korea will soon be hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix next year. With this, Korea is securing its image as a strong sports nation that has hosted all of the world’s top 3 sports events. At the same time, the name ‘Korea’ will be listed in the F1 calendar demonstrating its power as a strong nation of sports and industry.
◇Preparing a Foundation for National Support
During September, the ‘Formula One International Motor Race Support Act’ in relation to the first automobile race to be held in Korea was enacted to secure a foundation for national support. Chairman Kim Hyeong-o of the National Assembly, and Minister Yu In-chon of Culture, Sports and Tourism visited the F1 race course construction site to give wings to nationwide interest and collaboration as well as government subsidies.
The financial sector is also participating in the private financing portion of the project to the scale of KRW 198 billion which is necessary for building all the requisite facilities. The F1 race course will be completed in July of next year. At present, construction is proceeding smoothly and is a bit more than 50% complete.
◇Finale of the Asia Tour
As the Korean Grand Prix will be round 17 of the 2010 schedule (the latter part of the season) there is a high possibility that the season champion will be decided in Korea. Accordingly, the Korean Grand Prix will be the finale of the Asian portion of the tour that will include four races (Shanghai, Singapore, Suzuka Japan and Korea). This is raising the highest anticipation and excitement among F1 fans.
Furthermore, it has been tentatively confirmed that 28 drivers from 14 teams, the largest scale in this century, will participate in the event. As such, there will be numerous things to see and enjoy at the Korea Grand Prix together with the fiercest competition ever by participating teams. The teams to newly join the Formula 1 roster in 2010 are Mano, Campos, US F1 and Lotus.
◇Organization Committee
Based on the F1 Support Act, the Organization Committee consisted of approximately 100 central and local government personnel to be formed within this year.
The Organization Committee will play the key role for obtaining government support, implementing infrastructure, organizing public services and private support, local publicity, tourist promotions, supervision and overall operational management.
◇Traffic and Accommodation Measures
During the F1 event, more than 140,000 people are expected to visit Jeollanam-do travelling on buses, cars, airplanes, trains and even ferries. Accordingly, a variety of traffic measures will be established.
A traffic control center will be operated at the estuary dam of the Yeongsan River. Also, exclusive bus lanes and an adjustable one way traffic system will be introduced. Furthermore, negotiations are underway with related organizations for shuttle bus services to be established to serve key areas including hotels, the airports, train stations and bus terminals. Temporary chartered plane services will be scheduled using the Muan and Gwangju airports as well as additional flights by local and international airline companies.
For accommodation, it is estimated that approximately 65,000 rooms will be required. Accordingly, the areas around the F1 race course will be divided into 3 zones to fully utilize the local motels and accommodations in and around Hanok village as much as possible. A policy has also been set to arrange Western style breakfast services as well as interpretation services for foreign visitors.
◇Operation Personnel Training
For successful hosting of the event, necessary personnel will be trained through cooperation with with Korea Automobile Racing Association (KARA) who may invite overseas operation experts and will assist in the additional training of medical personnel and expansion of medical facilities, etc.
Furthermore, for the convenience of the spectators, approximately 1,140 voluntary service helpers will be stationed around the race course and nearby facilities.
◇Touching off a Boom
In addition, the Jeonnam Provincial Office is planning to continuously publicize the event nationwide to increase national interest in the F1 Korean Grand Prix through a variety of mega events leading up to the event.
By inducing local and international motorsports events and developing the local automotive industry, the Jeonnam Provincial Office will use the facilities built for this event for national leisure and sports activities. Accordingly, it is planned to devise plans for using the F1 race course for more than 200 days a year.
The areas near the F1 race course will be developed as an automotive industrial cluster by forming an automotive tuning parts complex to the scale of KRW 170 billion. The facilities will also be used as a track for automotive performance tests by major auto and autoparts manufacturers. In addition, a racing team factory and research & design center will be built.
Director Yun Jin-bo of the F1 Race Preparation and Planning Team said, “This is the largest event since the establishment of Jeonnam Province. As we feel tremendous pressure, we will do everything needed to ensure that every aspect of the event is successful, from establishing proper and effective traffic measures and race operation to ensuring that ample accommodations be available.”
- All-out effort to form an organization committee to develop traffic measures and accommodation facilities… Anticipating a new horizon for Korean motorsports -
The world’s most prestigious motorsport event, the 2010 Formula 1 Korea Grand Prix is only a year away.
Destined to become a monumental event in the motorsports history of Korea, the Korean Grand Prix will be held for 3 days from October 15 to 17, in 2010 at the Korea International Circuit (tentative name) located in Yeongam, Jeollanam-do. Let’s have a look at the progress made so far as well as the significance of hosting this event and the tasks to be fulfilled over the next year.
◇Turning point for reviving motorsports
Of the largest scale by far among all sports events to be held in Korea in 2010, the Korean Grand Prix will be a turning point that will markedly revive the motorsports industry in Korea. This will be an opportunity to showcase the scale and competitiveness of the Korean automobile industry to the world. A tangible economic effect will surely result.
Following the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup, Korea will soon be hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix next year. With this, Korea is securing its image as a strong sports nation that has hosted all of the world’s top 3 sports events. At the same time, the name ‘Korea’ will be listed in the F1 calendar demonstrating its power as a strong nation of sports and industry.
◇Preparing a Foundation for National Support
During September, the ‘Formula One International Motor Race Support Act’ in relation to the first automobile race to be held in Korea was enacted to secure a foundation for national support. Chairman Kim Hyeong-o of the National Assembly, and Minister Yu In-chon of Culture, Sports and Tourism visited the F1 race course construction site to give wings to nationwide interest and collaboration as well as government subsidies.
The financial sector is also participating in the private financing portion of the project to the scale of KRW 198 billion which is necessary for building all the requisite facilities. The F1 race course will be completed in July of next year. At present, construction is proceeding smoothly and is a bit more than 50% complete.
◇Finale of the Asia Tour
As the Korean Grand Prix will be round 17 of the 2010 schedule (the latter part of the season) there is a high possibility that the season champion will be decided in Korea. Accordingly, the Korean Grand Prix will be the finale of the Asian portion of the tour that will include four races (Shanghai, Singapore, Suzuka Japan and Korea). This is raising the highest anticipation and excitement among F1 fans.
Furthermore, it has been tentatively confirmed that 28 drivers from 14 teams, the largest scale in this century, will participate in the event. As such, there will be numerous things to see and enjoy at the Korea Grand Prix together with the fiercest competition ever by participating teams. The teams to newly join the Formula 1 roster in 2010 are Mano, Campos, US F1 and Lotus.
◇Organization Committee
Based on the F1 Support Act, the Organization Committee consisted of approximately 100 central and local government personnel to be formed within this year.
The Organization Committee will play the key role for obtaining government support, implementing infrastructure, organizing public services and private support, local publicity, tourist promotions, supervision and overall operational management.
◇Traffic and Accommodation Measures
During the F1 event, more than 140,000 people are expected to visit Jeollanam-do travelling on buses, cars, airplanes, trains and even ferries. Accordingly, a variety of traffic measures will be established.
A traffic control center will be operated at the estuary dam of the Yeongsan River. Also, exclusive bus lanes and an adjustable one way traffic system will be introduced. Furthermore, negotiations are underway with related organizations for shuttle bus services to be established to serve key areas including hotels, the airports, train stations and bus terminals. Temporary chartered plane services will be scheduled using the Muan and Gwangju airports as well as additional flights by local and international airline companies.
For accommodation, it is estimated that approximately 65,000 rooms will be required. Accordingly, the areas around the F1 race course will be divided into 3 zones to fully utilize the local motels and accommodations in and around Hanok village as much as possible. A policy has also been set to arrange Western style breakfast services as well as interpretation services for foreign visitors.
◇Operation Personnel Training
For successful hosting of the event, necessary personnel will be trained through cooperation with with Korea Automobile Racing Association (KARA) who may invite overseas operation experts and will assist in the additional training of medical personnel and expansion of medical facilities, etc.
Furthermore, for the convenience of the spectators, approximately 1,140 voluntary service helpers will be stationed around the race course and nearby facilities.
◇Touching off a Boom
In addition, the Jeonnam Provincial Office is planning to continuously publicize the event nationwide to increase national interest in the F1 Korean Grand Prix through a variety of mega events leading up to the event.
By inducing local and international motorsports events and developing the local automotive industry, the Jeonnam Provincial Office will use the facilities built for this event for national leisure and sports activities. Accordingly, it is planned to devise plans for using the F1 race course for more than 200 days a year.
The areas near the F1 race course will be developed as an automotive industrial cluster by forming an automotive tuning parts complex to the scale of KRW 170 billion. The facilities will also be used as a track for automotive performance tests by major auto and autoparts manufacturers. In addition, a racing team factory and research & design center will be built.
Director Yun Jin-bo of the F1 Race Preparation and Planning Team said, “This is the largest event since the establishment of Jeonnam Province. As we feel tremendous pressure, we will do everything needed to ensure that every aspect of the event is successful, from establishing proper and effective traffic measures and race operation to ensuring that ample accommodations be available.”