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Miri
now has an international standard go-kart race track
which has been given a Class I classification by the
Automobile Association Malaysia (AAM).
With
six high mast floodlights around the track, competitions
can also be held at night. The roofed grandstand can
seat 600 spectators, while other facilities included
lobby, administration office, food and beverage outlets,
canteen, First Aid room, and VIP spectator lounge.
A
viewing tower cum control room and paddock for eight
lock-up garages is available for racing teams during
competition.
The
track was given the thumbs-up by Deputy Chief Minister
Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. George Chan after completing
a few extra laps, speeding away to leave behind Assistant
Minister of Social Development and Urbanisation Dublin
Unting who was struggling through the smoke and a
choking machine. This will allow Miri to live up to
its status as a vibrant resort city with the go-kart
sport blazing a trail in this region and in the country.
Dr.
Chan said the inevitable excitement of this sport,
which dated back to the colonial period, had been
revived with the first go-kart track in the State
in Permyjaya township.
Miri
has beaten Kuching and Sibu to the tape in this sport,
and Dr. Chan said it was a result of the proactive
private sector, particularly Naim Cendera Holdings
Bhd in taking the lead as the company went full steam
ahead after he mooted the idea.
He
said this at the project handing over ceremony by
Naim Cendera to Public Works Department represented
by Assistant Director Richard Teo, to hand over the
track to the Ministry of Social Development and Urbanisation.
The
RM 13.5 million project was completed ahead of schedule,
and boasting the longest go-kart race track in Malaysia
at 1.28 km which prompted its Minister Dato Sri Dr.
James Jemut Masing to dubbed it as a mini-Sepang after
the nation's F1 race track.
Located
over a 18.5 acre site at Permyjaya township, the track
was designed and built according to the exacting specifications
laid down by AAM where it could be divided into an
800m and 500m track for various class of racing and
fan club and practice races. There are 134 car and
120 motorcycle parking bays joined to the 0.9 km access
road from Tudan-Kuala Baram link road.
Naim
Cendera started work on November 6, 2002 and completed
it yesterday in collaboration with the client ministry,
implementing agency PWD, AAM and consultant teams.
Senior
executive director William Wei said AAM had given
it Class I classification of go-kart race track in
the country, and it was built and designed for both
international and domestic competitions which could
be a shot in the arm for th elocal tourism industry.
Dr.
Chan was visibly enjoying himself on the track yesterday,
gingerly tackling the sharp corners and hitting the
throttle on the straight stretch as he got himself
into a go-kart with plenty of encouragement from Wei
and others.
Article
taken from Borneo Post (24/4/2004)
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