FIA World Rallycross Championship set to make Hong Kong debut in November

Hong Kong could stage its first FIA World Rallycross Championship (World RX) Series in 2023, provided organisers can obtain the green light from the government.

Teamwork Creative Events, a Hong Kong company, recently signed an agreement with Rallycross promoter GmbH which manages the promotion and commercial aspects of the world series.

“We have exclusive rights to host the series in Greater China for the next three years from 2023-25,” Leslie Wong, chief executive and founder of the company, said.

“And our plan is to stage the 2023 event in Hong Kong in November which will also be the last leg of the calendar.

“If it happens, motor racing fans will be able to witness the race which will produce the world champion provided the title has yet to be decided until the final leg, and also the prize presentation. It will be a remarkable moment for motor racing in Hong Kong.”

The World RX Series revealed its 2023 calendar with eight legs from May to October. The last leg on November 25-26 is earmarked only for Asia, with an exact location “to be announced”.

Launched in 2014, the World RX is driven on a closed circuit ranging from 850 metres to 1.4 kilometres. It became all-electric this year.

Wong said Teamwork Creative Events has already written to the government for support as they need permission to build a circuit.

“We need an open area of 50,000 square metres, and the full site of the Central Harbourfront event space has only 35,000 square metres,” he said.

“If we can also use the adjacent Lung Wo Road, it will be enough to meet requirements but of course there can be adjustments and a smaller area can also work.

“But we must get the government’s backing first so that we can start discussions with commercial sponsors. The World RX is an international event and we estimate it will require a budget of over HK$50 million. This cannot be done without commercial sponsorships.”

Wong said they will need to obtain the green light by February at the latest, or the event could go to another city. “We only have the rights to stage the event in Greater China and have also written to the Chinese motor racing authorities who told us to come back for 2024, possibly because of the pandemic.

“Our plan is to start the 2023 event in Hong Kong first and then make it a double header with another leg in Shanghai the following year.

“But if we can’t do it, we know several Southeast Asian nations are prepared to take it from us such as Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It will be a great disappointment for the fans if that happens.”

Wong said if they could use the Central Harbourfront area, it would be the first “city track” on the World RX as so far the series has been held in suburbs of various cities across the world.

“The Harbourfront will be a great attraction to both drivers and fans and the amazing skyline can demonstrate Hong Kong as a vibrant city,” he said.

“If it is not possible, the Western Kowloon Cultural District or some open areas in Penny’s Bay in Lantau can also serve the purpose, but we must get the nod from the government before we can start preparation work.”

The Hong Kong Automobile Association is also in support of staging the series.

“We have contacted the Commissioner for Sports and the initial response was quite positive,” the governing body’s chief executive Owen Chan Sheung-lor said.

“Motor racing is a very popular sport in the city and rallycross is relatively a new event with great potential for future development, especially with the use of electronic cars for the race.”