Post by MasQueRade on Mar 31, 2009 18:51:42 GMT 8
Set to feature top-notch motorsports facilities and amenities, the CMH is expected to be completed in 2011 if everything goes according to planned.
The SSC today released a Request For Proposal, offering both local and international consortia alike a unique opportunity to build and manage the CMH. Once completed, it is set to become Asia's premier motorsports and entertainment centre with international standard motorsport facilities for everyone from motor enthusiasts to tourists.
The location in question is 41 hectares of prime sea-front land, 21 hectares more than what was initially planned for, near Changi Airport and next to where the Annual Singapore Air Show is held. With easy access to the Central Business District, the airport and key tourist attractions such as the Singapore Zoological Gardens, Night Safari, Marina Bay, Sentosa and their integrated resorts, the chosen location seems to be the most ideal for Asia's first integrated motorsports and leisure hub.
The expected permanent racetrack is to be at least 3.5 kilometres along the coastline, will sit 8,000 spectators under a permanently sheltered grandstand, and will be certified with the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) Grade 2 and the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) Grade 1. A unique feature that was highlighted today during the briefing was the fact that unlike the majority of spectators during the first Formula 1 night race, spectators at the Changi track would have unblocked views of the entire racetrack.
Some of the expected events that will be held at the track will be the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM), Super GT Series, Champ Car World Series, Super Bikes and even karting. One of the more popular events would grab a lot of attentions will inevitably be the proposed drag strip that will allow weekend warriors and serious racers alike to race their machines in a straight line.
The Singapore Sports Council also said that some of the facilities besides the usual food and beverage ones, that would be included in the construction of the Motosports Hub would be a clubhouse, convention halls, an entertainment complex, general retail outlets, non-racing garaging facilities, a racing academy, research & development facilities, showrooms and warehousing and storage facilities.
The consortium that will be selected to undertake the project will be chosen by a panel of judges and are expected to present a way of integrating both the hardware aspect and the software of the Change Motorsports Hub. More importantly they will be expected to bring in and organise at the very least two international races and 2 local races.
The judges will be judging each presentation along 5 clearly set guidelines. First being the ability to position CMH as the preferred venue for international motorsports events, followed by contribution towards developing a centre of excellence for motorsports training and education, financial and business sustainability of proposal, contribution towards developing the local motorsports ecosystem and lastly the attractiveness of the commercial mix and events.
"We undertook qualitative research and a comprehensive global survey with over 1,250 consumers, car lovers, motorcycle enthusiasts and events companies to determine attitudes toward motorsports and the CMH, understand the motorsports lifestyle and motivations, as well as map out the competitive landscape. This gave us extensive insight into the various challenges and opportunities of establishing a motorsports hub here, and ensured that we could present bidders with the most compelling investment proposition possible" said Mr Alex Chan, Chairman of Singapore Sports Council.
Total cost of the project is estimated to cost around S$100 million and completed in 2011.
The Changi Motorsports Hub RFP will be available from SSC from 3.00pm from 30 March 2009 onwards. A deposit of S$10,000 is required for the RFP and will be refunded upon submission of a conforming proposal. Proposals must be submitted by 4.00pm on 27 August 2009.
For more details on the Changi Motorsports Hub, please visit www.changimotorsportshub.com