Formula E confirmed for Hong Kong as streets of Central to become racetrack
New electric car series set to be held in Central next year after organisers initially abandoned plans - though 'details' remain to be finalised
Hong Kong has been confirmed by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) as a venue for the new Formula E electric racing series which will begin in Beijing next September.
The FIA has released a 10-race provisional calendar for 2014-15 with Hong Kong the third leg on November 8. The race is expected to be run on the streets of Central.
"We are delighted to announce that world-class motor-racing will come to Hong Kong for the first time," said Lawrence Yu Kam-kee, president of the Hong Kong Automobile Association (HKAA), yesterday. "It has taken a lot of work to get to where we are and we still have a long way to go to iron out details but I'm confident we'll have a race."
Other destinations include Los Angeles, Miami, Monte Carlo and Berlin with the series ending in London. The only other Asian city is Putrajaya, Malaysia.
"The promoters are working out the logistics for each city. They are in Beijing now and looking at a street circuit around the Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium. They will arrive in Hong Kong next month to look at possible venues for the course," Yu said.
If they have a confirmed route, and a plan, we would be all for it
Earlier this year Formula E organisers seemed to have given up on Hong Kong, apparently due to feet-dragging from the government on whether to give permission for the environmentally-friendly race - the electric cars will not only be pollution-free but also near silent. But those hurdles seem to have been overcome with Yu saying that the HKAA had got the go-ahead.