South Korean Grand Prix Update
Stand at the South Korean GP Circuit
It’s GO GO GO for the South Korean Formula 1 Grand Prix.
South Korea will host its first grand prix next year after being listed on a 19-race calendar published on Monday.
The event will be held in Yeongam in the south-west of the country. South Korea is spending millions of dollars on the track in Yeongam county and officials are confident the Korean Grand Prix, set for October 17, will quickly make its mark.
Renowned German track designer Hermann Tilke is supervising the project launched by the Korea Auto Valley Operation (KAVO), a joint venture between private firm M-Bridge Holdings and the South Jeolla provincial government.
Work is in progress at the 5.6km site, 320km south of the capital Seoul, where seating to accommodate 135,000 spectators is being built. Organizers say the main circuit will include Asia’s longest straight stretch of 1.2km which will allow speeds of up to 320km per hour.
The 5.6-kilometre (3.5 mile) circuit is being constructed on 172 hectares (425 acres) of reclaimed land alongside an artifical seaside lake.
A separate three-kilometre circuit will be used for domestic events.
Korean Circuit in progress
KAVO will host the F1 race once a year for seven years under the FIA deal, with an option to extend for five years if arrangements are satisfactory.
I cannot find any accomodations near the track in any of the travel websites I looked for (in US). Do you know if they are working on building hotels for folks to stay when they come for this event?
The circuit is in Yeongam. The area is under massive development at the moment, let’s just hope they get the Grand Prix circuit and infrastructure ready in time. There are many hotels and services being built nearby. Also check for hotels in the JeonNam area, some of which should be close to the Grand Prix Circuit. we will try to update this site with more details as they become available.
McLaren Team Boss Martin Whitmarsh has been quoted as saying yeasterday : “We hear stories it’s the Yeongnam-based circuit, four or five hours from anywhere, there’s no infrastructure, no hotels, no-one can get there. It’s going to make it difficult for fans and difficult for media.”
So we will have to see!!
There probably won’t be any accomodations listed on English websites as the majority of the accomodations that will be available (after anyone important has booked up all the decent rooms in the area) will be min-bak style, or small, privately run motels.
I have serious doubts about this… and I live in Korea.
Totally agreed with Scared, this dosn’t look good.
There has been diffculties already to get accomodations.
Another thing; when will the track’s official website be available in english. It could be quite handy with some information in english:-))
I am living in korea right now and I can tell this is not going to be a foreigner friendly race. I love F1 and have been to other races in asian countries and this one will be difficult. For one, the Koreans are not very open to foreigners, which is odd for a country that has hosted the olympics and the world cup. It can be difficult getting through customs even though your country might have a visa agreement with korea. Many asian passports with visa agreements get regularly turned back at the airport and not granted a visa. There is little to no information on the internet, non korean internet, about the area, transportation, and accomadations. The KTX, korean bullet train, is one positive side, it will take you from Seoul to Mokpo without the headache of driving in Korea. I am planning a trip next weekend down to Mokpo to see what is actually there and what stage the track construction is actually at. I will report back and let people know the details, maybe shed some light on the hotel situation.
I live in Korea and have booked a ticket. The track is very close to a city ive have been to a few times, mokpo, It is nice, on the water with good drinking and eating places, problem is you have no chance of a room, all booked! The nearest ok hotel I could find is a 1 hr drive. Lucky I have a car and geta round but I think it will bea difficult trip with no transport. I have seen nothing aout packages for tickets, hotel and transport.
If you are battling to get accommodation, worried about cultural and language barriers, confused on how to make your travel arrangements and looking for the best Korean F1 deals you don’t need to look further. We have 70 rooms booked, our team all reside in Korea, we visit the track regularly and we still have great deals available. We have successfully arranged numerous events in Korea and will be happy to assist you. Please see http://www.f1.waegookcook.com for more info.