Grand Prix of Egypt beginning in the 2004 season
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Grand Prix of Egypt beginning in the 2004 season
Egypt has become the latest country looking to join the Formula One calendar with plans for a circuit near the Pyramids. One of the designs, which could be considered for the new track is based on the shape of the Sphinx, the ancient half-human, half-lion structure.
"The plans are pretty advanced at this stage," said Ashraf Mahmoud, chairman and chief executive officer of the Egyptian Motor Sport Corporation, in Austria this weekend as a guest of F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone. "We have been working on the project since July 1998 and we now have the full approval and support of the Egyptian government. The feedback from Bernie has been positive and he has been to Egypt. We are considering sites on the Red Sea coast. But Cairo as a city has a charm in itself."
The most preferred site is on the outskirts of greater Cairo, on the west side of the Nile about 10 minutes drive from the Pyramids which would be in view for television. There are no archaeological problems with the site. German Hermann Tilke, the man behind the state-of-the-art facility at Sepang in Malaysia, is expected to be named as the designer of the circuit.
"The plans are pretty advanced at this stage," said Ashraf Mahmoud, chairman and chief executive officer of the Egyptian Motor Sport Corporation, in Austria this weekend as a guest of F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone. "We have been working on the project since July 1998 and we now have the full approval and support of the Egyptian government. The feedback from Bernie has been positive and he has been to Egypt. We are considering sites on the Red Sea coast. But Cairo as a city has a charm in itself."
The most preferred site is on the outskirts of greater Cairo, on the west side of the Nile about 10 minutes drive from the Pyramids which would be in view for television. There are no archaeological problems with the site. German Hermann Tilke, the man behind the state-of-the-art facility at Sepang in Malaysia, is expected to be named as the designer of the circuit.
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That would be a great view, imagine the pictures. I think however that a middle-eastern race will be more likely in Bahrain as its will be easier to guarantee the saftey of spectators/participants. Egypt's tourist industry is still smarting form terrorists gunning town a bus load of tourists.
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Cairo has one of the largest populations in the world, so it would make for a good crowd turn-out (if the gate fees were not obscene), and there would be no problem building sand trap run-offs (LOL), but if there is competition from other venues (Moscow, Bahrain, etc.) I would think the others have the upper hand.
Remember how the teams complained when they raced at Zandvoordt, Netherlands? The problem was the wind from the sea constantly blowing lots of sand on the track. I wonder how they could ever keep a Cairo track clean, unless it were situated on the lush part of the Nile delta.
I think I read somewhere that Kyalami (S. Africa) is being upgraded for possible consideration, too. If you had to have a race on the African continent, the existing history of that venue might weigh in it's favor. But there's lots of money in Bahrain, both for venue receipts and team sponsorships. Saudia Airlines could even return...
As long as they throw the Hungaroring of the calendar (first) in order to make room...
Interesting thread, John!
Remember how the teams complained when they raced at Zandvoordt, Netherlands? The problem was the wind from the sea constantly blowing lots of sand on the track. I wonder how they could ever keep a Cairo track clean, unless it were situated on the lush part of the Nile delta.
I think I read somewhere that Kyalami (S. Africa) is being upgraded for possible consideration, too. If you had to have a race on the African continent, the existing history of that venue might weigh in it's favor. But there's lots of money in Bahrain, both for venue receipts and team sponsorships. Saudia Airlines could even return...
As long as they throw the Hungaroring of the calendar (first) in order to make room...
Interesting thread, John!
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I agree, Kyalami is a very interesting track, I would love to see an event there.
