The circuit had been set to feature two long straights on Lung Wo Road, to “save costs” according to promoters at March’s launch event.

But when the public roadblock began at 2pm on Friday, materials required to complete the straights, such as safety barriers and gravel, had not arrived on site yet from South Korea.

The 800m track was the shortest of the World Rallycross season, but the FIA and the drivers had no issues.

“The track shortening was necessitated by the revised schedule due to the construction delay, in order to make sure we got in as much racing as possible for all of the amazing fans who have turned out to see rallycross on the streets of Hong Kong for the very first time,” Arne Dirks, executive director of FIA World Rallycross, told the Post.

“Although obviously not by design, the shortened layout generated some superb on-track action, and I think the reaction of all the fans on-site said it all. We are absolutely thrilled with World RX’s city-centre debut here in Hong Kong – and now we’re looking forward to doing it all over again on Sunday.”

Wesley Wan Wai-hei, chief consultant for the event, said that a container carrying the necessary components and materials was delayed and only arrived after midnight.

Andersson relishes Hong Kong’s rallycross debut – ‘you could end up in the wall’

Wan did not reveal what time the container was supposed to arrive, but said had it not been delayed, the original 1km track would have been completed.

He said more time would have been needed to complete the track on Saturday morning had it not been shortened, and that all parties involved agreed on the decision.

“A shortened track is the best decision they can make in order to have the races going on at noon,” Wan said. The first qualifying race began at 12.28pm.

After a media scrum with drivers at Tamar Park on Friday afternoon, staff could still be seen preparing parts of the artificial dirt track at the Central Harbourfront Event Space.

“Due to unforeseen construction delays, there will be a shortened schedule for the first day of racing at World RX of Hong Kong, China,” an FIA statement said late on Friday night.

“All parties are working tirelessly to ensure the track action can get under way as quickly as possible but this will not be before midday.”

Gates did not open until 10.30am on Saturday, with no access to the site before then. An autograph session with drivers was held at 11am.

“Sunday is unaffected by this timetable change, with a full day of racing as originally planned,” the statement added.

World Rallycross is making its debut in Hong Kong, with cars being catapulted around the circuit at speeds faster than Formula One.

Officials are using the same area that hosted Formula E races from 2016 to 2019, with an “abundant” amount of mud transported there. Organisers had originally planned four days of non-stop construction work.

The drivers shared officials’ enthusiasm. Klara Andersson insisted she had “never” seen such a nice backdrop for a race.

“We’ve been to beautiful places, yes, but never in a city centre,” the Swede, who races for the CE Dealer team, said on Friday.

“So, it’s beautiful to have the skyline and everything about the venue is beautiful. It’s so weird to be able to walk through the track from our hotel, that’s a first. It’s very nice.”

The 23-year-old Andersson, one of two women racing on the track this weekend, said she would “love” to come back and for World Rallycross to “expand and discover new cities and new continents”.

Given the lack of racing in Hong Kong over the last four years, Andersson also admitted there was “maybe” some pressure on the drivers’ shoulders.

“We always want to deliver a good show, of course,” she said. “And I think, especially now, on a city track, which is new for everyone,

“I think the times are going to be very even. So, I think we will see some really good racing this weekend.”