In my previous entry, I did write what are the kind of activities that will make Malaysia F1 race truly the hottest race in the calendar, an event that will attract millions of people to watch the race. Those are the kind of short term initiatives that SIC could immediately embark to bring back the glorious days of Formula 1 in Malaysia.
In this entry, I will write some of my thoughts and ideas that SIC can embark to make the F1 permanently in the race calendar. Some might have been given thoughts and awaiting the implementations by the authorities.
Here are some of the considerations ;
1. Develop the area(s) around the circuit.
It might be a mistake that Sepang Circuit was built without proper master plan to include the development of the areas. SIC stands on its own with not much development in the surroundings area. May be it is kind of chicken and egg situation [ i.e. built the circuit and surrounding areas would be developed sooner or later ] but after 13th editions of F1 race, nothing concrete is coming out. I have heard the Malaysia Airport Berhad[ MAB] plans to develop the surrounding areas [Aeropolis], but off late not much news in the media about the progress of the initiatives.
My view is that the surrounding area(s) in F1 circuit shall be developed into "F1 Aeropolis or Autopolis" with mix development of residential, commercial, R&D related to F1 or automative industry, training centre or university, hospitality, shopping malls, family entertainment, healthcare and spas and SOHO. Take for example the Mecca area(s) and Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi where development projects are taking shape around the Masjidil Haram [ though I reserve my opinion about it ] and Yas Marina itself. It will be a living and vibrant place throughout the year and not only during F1 or other races only.
With this development taking place, the circuit can have a night race similar to Singapore F1 race. The cost of installing the circuit lights can be possibly shared with the developers as part of their development master plan. I would imagine that I can watch the races organize by SIC from my condominium balcony or even from shopping malls and dining with the whole family. Isn't that cool ?
2. An integrated development
Trust with the initiative no. 1 taking place, the surrounding areas will be connected via an efficient public transport - LRT, ERL, Tramway for easy accessibility to the circuit and surrounding areas, without people having to drive to watch the race. Convenient accessibility from the airport will also make the place a place to be for transit passengers to have "flavour of Malaysia ". It is a double or triple sword strategy, in support of Malaysian government effort to make KLIA as the hub of the Pacific Region or ASEAN region if the latter is too ambitious to achieve. This area shall be well connected with Ipoh, KL City Centre, KL Sentral, Malacca, Iskandar Malaysia and to some extent, Singapore [ of the speed rail project materialized].
3. Unique and integrated development based green technology.
Whether we like it or not, green technology physical infrastructure is the "buzz word" nowadays. Developers are scrambling and trying to promote their project as "green as possible " and unique as possible. When mentioned unique, it is something that not available anywhere else in the world as this will surely attract tourists to visit Malaysia. Like it or not, we are competing with our neighbours Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam to get the share of multi-billion dollar tourism industry, and in order to be able to compete or complement it by having a unique product differentiation and cost leadership, as my view Malaysia shall always be seen as value for money tourists destinations.
4. Long strategic plan for SIC
How can the circuit unique ? What will happen if the circuit no longer organize Formula 1 ? What alternatives do SIC have? We have another 9 years of organizing rights, and this 9 years is too short if we do not have a value propositions or value adding that we can put on the table to F1 organizer. What can we learn from Europe and USA who have been around for so long ?
I guess time is too short for SIC and when I read the article by The Star above, if nothing is being done sooner or later, this will be another "gajah putih" project and we are losing to our neighbors. That is the last thing I want to read and hear in the news !
We have to fast and quick in today's world !
DISCLAIMER:Notice :Opinions, stories , thoughts expressed are blogger's own and do not necessarily represent the views of the institution or the organizations by which the blogger is employed or any specific person who so ever, either dead or alive.SOS Children
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