APRIL 14, 2002

Dubai announces F1 plan

DUBAI is planning to build a Formula 1 circuit in the course of the next 18 months as part of a new development which will be called the Dubai Autodrome and Business Park. The facility will feature kart tracks, a driving school and tracks for motorcycle racing in addition to a three-mile road course which is intended to be up to the latest F1-spec. The scheme is the brainchild of Union Properties. The intention is for the facility to become the center of the motorsport industry in the Middle East. There is expected to be a street race in Dubai at the end of this year to help add to the momentum.

Nearby Bahrain is working hard to build its own F1 track but none of the projects has yet landed a deal with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.