S Korea’s racing track under scrutiny

SEOUL: South Korea has cancelled this month’s international Formula Three race after state inspectors questioned the safety of the mobile stands.

Korea Auto Valley Operation (KAVO) held the country’s first Formula One Grand Prix at its brand-new track in Yeongam last month. It was due to host the Formula Three event, also South Korea’s first, but KAVO spokesman Kim Jae-Ho said, “Because of delayed approval from inspectors, we’ve decided to cancel this year’s race, which was to take place in the last week of November.”

Kim said KAVO was able to hold the Formula One race with temporary approval from inspectors, although work on mobile stands was not completed at the time, and said the Formula Three decision would not affect next year’s Formula One event.

“We will do our best to build complete mobile stands. Compared to the lack of experience, we believe the first race was staged in a satisfactory way. But we need to make perfect preparations for the race next year.”

KAVO hosted the F1 GP after frantic last-minute work to build what it called the country’s biggest sports facility, 320 kilometres south of Seoul.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2010.