F1 Grand Prix comes to Korea

As the 17th round of the 2010 season, Korea’s first Formula 1 Grand Prix event got off to a roaring start, despite problems with the weather and organizational issues. The newly completed track in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province, opened, just in time to welcome visitors from around the world for the races, which started on October 24.

Despite being well known internationally for its car exports and brands like Hyundai-Kia, Korea has relatively little experience with automobile racing and motor sports. Despite this, the construction of the circut at Yeongam is seen as a step towards raising Korea’s international sporting profile, and an important development project for Korea’s southern-most regions.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
The track was designed by German architect Herman Tilke, at a cost of some 250 billion won. The 5.62 kilometer circuit is the result of a deal between British sports entrepreneur Bernie Ecclestone and the Korea Auto Valley Operation (KAVO), a joint venture between M-Bridge Holdings and Jeollanam-do regional government.

The newly-laid Korea International Circuit track received praise from drivers, who lauded its demanding nature. There were also a few suggestions for future races, and the track will be altered to accommodate these and improve overall safety and enjoyment.

Despite initial fears that the races would be poorly attended, fans turned out to fill the bleachers and cheer on their favorites, bringing the stands to near capacity.

(Photo: Yonhap News)

Nearly 170,000 spectators attended, with 25,000 showing up for the first day of the three-day event. On the second and third days, attendance jumped significantly, with 80,000 people coming on the final day, despite a deluge of rain that nearly caused some cancellations. Formula 1’s global television audience is estimated to be almost 600 million people worldwide.

Because of the rain, the race started with safety cars, which lead the racers around the circuit until conditions are determined to be safe enough to permit the race to continue. Even with delays, however, spectators were treated to a thrilling race, with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso taking first place, putting him within reach of his third title. Second place went to McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and third to Ferarri’s Felipe Massa.

(Photo: Yonhap News)

Michael Spavor, a Canadian living in Korea who attended the races, enthused about the experience, saying, "I'm a big fan of Formula 1, and went to races back in Canada. It was really exciting to see all these cars going through the rain, with the spray and the sound. I sat in the main grandstand, and it was exhilarating, with gorgeous views not only of the track but of the sea beyond. It’s a great course."

(Photo: Yonhap News)

Following the F1 events, South Jeolla’s new racing venue will play host to the Korea Formula Three Superprix from November 26-28.

Comments

लोकतांत्रिक जनादेश और दक्षिण कोरिया

दक्षिण कोरिया ने हाल ही में एक अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण राष्ट्रपति चुनाव के माध्यम से अपने लोकतांत्रिक विकास की एक निर्णायक दहलीज़ पार की है। यह चुनाव केवल राजनीतिक दलों या व्यक्तित्वों के बीच की टक्कर नहीं था , बल्कि यह शासन , जवाबदेही और राष्ट्र के भविष्य को लेकर व्यापक जनचिंताओं का सजीव प्रतिबिंब बन गया—जिसने पूरे देश में मीडिया सुर्खियों और जनचर्चा को गहराई से प्रभावित किया। हालांकि कुछ दक्षिणपंथी विपक्षी नेताओं ने चुनाव में अनियमितताओं का शोर मचाया , लेकिन इन आरोपों को न तो जनता ने गंभीरता से लिया और न ही मीडिया ने। आधिकारिक परिणाम एक स्पष्ट और निर्विवाद जनादेश के रूप में सामने आए , जो दक्षिण कोरिया के जागरूक और संलग्न मतदाताओं की स्पष्ट इच्छा को दर्शाते हैं। डेमोक्रेटिक पार्टी के ली जे-मयोंग ने एक सूक्ष्म रूप से रणनीतिक और समावेशी चुनाव अभियान चलाया , जिसका उद्देश्य राजनीतिक ध्रुवीकरण को पाटना था। उन्होंने केवल पार्टी के परंपरागत समर्थकों को ही नहीं , बल्कि उन मध्यपंथी और उदार दक्षिणपंथी मतदाताओं को भी संबोधित किया , जो बढ़ती राजनीतिक कट्टरता से थक चुके थे। उनका चुनाव...

Korea takes a step towards reverse discrimination and a proactive immigration policy

In a misguided attempt to help multiethnic families and their children and to bolster falling birthrates, the Korean government took another small but important step towards reverse ethnic discrimination both as a means to aid multiethnic children as well as encourage more multiethnic unions. According to reports, all "multicultural" children regardless of income will enjoy free daycare services from the government starting next year, the government announced Thursday. About 28,000 multicultural children are expected to benefit. Children between birth and age five will be eligible and under the program, parents will receive a state subsidy to enroll their multicultural child in daycare centers. Currently, only parents who earn less than 2.58 million won are eligible. Korea Times welcomes reverse discrimination While we personally find any form of legalized racial discrimination appalling, the Korea Times newspaper appeared to cheer the decision in an editorial that in...

Couples bridge the divisions between Koreas

Northern women, southern men offer look at consequences of reunification They first met at a matchmaking party in April 2008. Like the other men, Jang Seok-do, 43, handed out his business cards to a couple of ladies. One was Kim Hye-young, 37. After the party ended they got back to their lives. A few days later, Kim said she suddenly got the urge to call a few of the men who had given her their cards, but most of them sounded as if they’d already forgotten the light-hearted party where they exchanged glances over tea and cookies. Jang was different. “He was extremely pleased to hear from me because there was no way for him to contact me without me reaching him first,” said Kim, her accent betraying her birthplace in North Hamgyong Province. It was the beginning of a romance between a South Korean bachelor and a woman from the North who had crossed the border. The party where the two met was organized by the city of Anseong, Gyeonggi, to encourage marriages between South Korean men and ...

Han Asia Times

Search This Blog