Darryl O’Young hopes a world-class motor racing circuit in Hong Kong becomes reality as part of the government’s north Lantau development plan
- Macau GP veteran says the sport cannot be developed without a venue and it would be a dream come true if Hong Kong has its own circuit
- Automobile Association chief Owen Chan says if Hong Kong is to build a motor racing track, it should be able to accommodate Formula One racing
Top driver Darryl O’Young said he would like to see his dream come true as the Hong Kong government weighs up the prospect of building the city’s first motor racing circuit in Lantau.
The 2021 Macau Grand Prix GT Cup champion said such a racetrack would be a key milestone for the development of motorsport in Hong Kong.
“There is no sport that can be developed without a venue,” O’Young said. “It’s not only for drivers like us. It can also motivate more young people to take up the sport and attract many others to join the business, whether it can be mechanics, engineers and promoters, but the basic thing is you need a circuit.
“We have been training in Europe, in Asia, in China and other parts of the world because there is no circuit in Hong Kong. And in fact, we could not do anything because of the Covid-19 pandemic over the past two years. A motor racing track in Hong Kong could solve all these problems.”
Hong Kong’s first motor racing track could form part of Lantau project
Although there is no proper venue in Hong Kong, the city has produced generations of quality drivers such as O’Young. A dedicated track would help in the development of young pilots.
The government is considering the construction of the city’s first permanent circuit as part of the mammoth Northern Lantau Reclamation project near Sunny Bay. And Automobile Association chief executive Owen Chan Sheung-lor said, though it was still in the planning stages, their hope is for a world-class venue.
“If Hong Kong is to build a circuit, it has to be at the highest standard that can accommodate top-class competitions such as Formula One,” said Chan. “In two years China will have two rounds of Formula 1 racing and the opportunities are there for Hong Kong. But of course we also have to consider if the circuit is viable and that’s why we plan to make it a multipurpose track which can also be used by other sports such as cycling, cross country running and karting.”
Hong Kong’s O’Young seals miracle Macau Grand Prix win
Chan said it was too early to talk about budgets, but the international circuits completed in China in recent years cost about US$100 million each. And it would probably take three years to build.
O’Young, meanwhile, said he expected a tough year for motor racing in 2022 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I don’t even plan how many races I will take part in for 2022,” said the driver, who only had one race in 2021 in Macau. “We have to be cautious because the ever-changing pandemic situation has made planning very difficult. Things can change overnight, which gives you no time to alter your plans.”
O’Young said he had to go through a 42-day quarantine period to take part in the 2021 Macau Grand Prix and a race in South Africa, which was called off on his arrival because of the Omicron outbreak.
