For a country so into motorsports, we don't have that many circuits besides the one world-class facility that is Sepang International Circuit (SIC). There's Pasir Gudang in Johor and the small Dato' Sagor track in Perak, and Batu Tiga is long gone, so there's room for more. 'Rice bowl state' Kedah is now set to fill the gap and serve the northern region.
Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir recently revealed that the state goverment is set to build a 1.6 km race circuit on 70-hectare site in Sungai Petani, with completion expected to be in 2016 or 2017. If so, the circuit will be near to the proposed Kulim International Airport.
"With the professional-level racing circuit in the state, talents along with those with supporting skills will have huge opportunities, and do not need to move to the Klang Valley," the MB said.
There's hardly a day where SIC is empty; it hosts plenty of drive events, track days and international races
"We also want the circuit to provide a brighter future for youths via a safer racing environment and eliminate illegal street racing," Mukhriz told reporters at SIC last week, where he witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the construction of the circuit between Kedah Menteri Besar Incorporated and SIC.
SIC will be the technical advisor during the circuit's development phase, and later, the management advisor. The "Kedah Circuit" will feature a race track, off-road course, drag strip, grandstand and hill stand seating, a paddock building and retail premises. It will seek recognition from the FIA (International Automobile Federation) and FIM (Federation of International Motorcycling).
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