Iceland Motopark
Work on Iceland MotoPark begins.
A computer generated image of the finished area.
An Icelandic MotoPark with a racetrack suitable for Formula F1 cars, a quarter-mile drag racing track, a go-cart track and even a rally track around the whole thing. Could you imagine such a project taking off? Neither could I. Not only that but there will also be a place specially designed for Formula Off Road racing and perhaps even rock-crawling.
Situated only 20 minutes drive from Reykjavik is this 370-hectare of land to be used for motorsport but also for housing and hotels and everything else needed to build a community. The track will be on the lava field right by the side of the highway to the airport at the intersection with the road to Grindavik and the Blue Lagoon.
First dig with the TV copter hovering over.
I was lucky enough to be invited to the starting ceremony. By Icelandic standards this is truly an ambitious project and will be interesting to see how it turns out.
An aerial view. Picture from the Icelandic TV station RUV.
A 16:30 the ceremonial cutting of the soil begins. A gang of 11 heavy digging equipment line up along the quarter-mile track for the first ever race of it's kind. First cut is performed by the Mayor of Keflavik, Arni Sigfusson, operating digger number one.
Clive Bowen, Charles Armstrong-Wilson, Olafur Gudmundsson and Gardar Gardarsson.
The event attracts a considerable crowd of onlookers and well wishers; "This is a day we've been waiting to see for over 40 years" said Olafur Gudmundsson, the FIA ASN for Iceland "it is inspiring to see that a private venture run by an Icelandic developer with international support has delivered on a promise many of us only dreamed could happen. We are all so excited with today's progress".
Heavy diggers line up and on track.
Six companies provide equipment and personnel for the event, each keen to demonstrate their commitment to the project; Toppurinn, Jardvelar, AÞ Velaleiga ehf, A. Palsson ehf Véla Verktakar ehf and Vélaleiga ÓB. Pride is at stake and each driver wants to prove his - and her - worth.
The Ford GT should be right at home on the new track.
The Ford dealership in Iceland, Brimborg, bring four cars for display at the event; a Ford GT, a Mustang Cobra, a Focus ST and a Fiesta ST. Shell Oils, showing their commitment as a future stakeholder in the Iceland MotoPark project, provide a fuel truck for the event.
Villi Villhjalmsson, Clive Bowen and Villi Eyjolfsson.
Vilhjalmur Vilhjalmsson, Managing Director of Toppurinn and CEO of the Iceland MotoPark, is clearly thrilled with the day; he says: "We've quite simply moved mountains to achieve what we have so far with this project. I cannot tell you how exciting it is to see interest in our project increasing exponentially. Our design team led by Clive Bowen has provided the most amazing canvass for this project and, today, we've gone from a 1:2000 scale to a 1:1 scale."
Clive Bowen and Arni Sigfusson.
Clive Bowen, the track designer, comes to the event to witness the first works on site. He adds: "Most projects of this nature require two years of preliminary design and planning and we've got this far in under a year. We're talking about a plot twice the size of Silverstone and at least four times the size of Shanghai's F1 circuit. This land needs to be fully developed to make a financial case for itself. There's no public money involved, no government underwriting; this is a commercial venture which will create homes, jobs, entertainment and economic growth, I'm so pleased to be able to play a part."
The area to be constructed.
Formula Off Road area is designed to be inside the left circle.
The next stages for the Iceland MotoPark project involve the conclusion of the formal planning process. Works are expected to properly begin on site in April 2007, with the CiK kart circuit and infrastructure for the first components to be built.
Digger number five driven by Ragnar Þor Baldursson wins the ‘race' and the award is presented by Vilhjalmur Eyjolfsson, the founder of Toppurinn and a director of the Iceland MotoPark.
The Iceland MotoPark is a mixed-use development; the design and planning of which has been rigorously tested with market research and financial modeling. The project has complete support from the local, regional and national authorities in Iceland, the FIA and the international investment community. Core to the philosophy for the development is the creation of a destination, not just for motorsport but also for tourism, entertainment, employment and education. The Iceland MotoPark
will become a gateway to Reykjanesbae, an icon for Iceland and of course, Iceland's home for all disciplines of motorsport and road safety training.
The project starts at the same day as the US is leaving the Keflavik NATO base which has been the basis of work for many. This is no coincidence and hopefully this will bring wealth and work to the people living close.
For more information visit the official Iceland MotoPark site.
