S. Korea gears up for F1 debut

0

SEOUL: South Korea hosted a lavish ceremony on Wednesday to launch ticket sales for its first Formula One race, saying the event would boost tourism and the country’s overseas image.

BOOSTING NATIONAL BRAND: South Korea’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Yu In-Chon delivers a speech during a ceremony to launch ticket sales of the Korean Grand Prix in Seoul. — AFP photo

BOOSTING NATIONAL BRAND: South Korea’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Yu In-Chon delivers a speech during a ceremony to launch ticket sales of the Korean Grand Prix in Seoul. — AFP photo

The Korean Grand Prix on October 17 will be the 17th leg of the 19-race season, meaning it could be decisive in deciding who takes the world championship.

“Today’s ceremony heralds the virtual start of our F1 race,” South Jeolla provincial governor Park Joon-Young told an audience of about 500 people including diplomats, government officials, businessmen and showbiz stars.

The race is expected to attract 200,000 local and foreign spectators, Park said, adding overseas visitors would see “a landmark for our tourism and auto industries”.

“I will endeavour to change the pattern of our tourism industry and boost our national brand as well,” he added.

The Korea Auto Valley Operation (KAVO), a joint venture between a private firm and the provincial government, is building the Yeongam circuit 320 kilometres south of Seoul.

Organisers say the 5.6-kilometre track on reclaimed land alongside an artificial seaside lake will be completed in July and boasts the longest straight in Asia.

The course can accommodate about 140,000 spectators at a time, including 12,000 in the main stadium.

“We’ve done about 70 per cent of work on the track, which is certain to satisfy both spectators and players,” construction manager Kang Man-Ho said in a speech telecast live from Yeongam county.

Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Yu In-Chon said the government was fully behind the country’s F1 debut.

“The government will extend all-out support for the success of the Korean Grand Prix as it is closely connected with culture, arts and tourism of our country,” he said.

KAVO will host the race once a year for seven years with an option to extend for five years if arrangements with the International Automobile Federation are satisfactory.

The ceremony at a Seoul hotel was co-chaired by Ryu Si-Won, an actor and racer designated as a special F1 envoy, and KAVO chief Chung Yung-Cho.

Chung said the return of seven-time world champion and German motor racing legend Michael Schumacher would attract more fans.

“The race is also seen as crucial as it may determine the season’s final F1 champion,” he said.

He added the average price of a three-day pass was set at 460,000 won (US$400).

The lowest-priced ticket is 117,000 won and the highest 920,000 won.

Organisers predicted brisk sales citing market research which showed more than 600,000 people willing to purchase the tickets regardless of price.

“By setting the first year’s price at a reasonable rate, we wish to attract fans to visit the Grand Prix every year for the next seven years as our goal is to have fans keep coming in the long term,” Chung said.

Fernando Alonso leads Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa by four points after two rounds of the world drivers’ championship heading into this week’s Malaysian Grand Prix. — AFP