KL MotoPark

Bukit Jalil, March 15 – The much anticipated youth-oriented, KL MotoPark (KLMP) is officially ready for the construction phase. Designed as a multi-purpose urban complex, the 6-hectare park is a historical milestone for the Malaysian motoring scene – the first ever recreational motoring park to be set up in the nation.

KL MotoPark is a community-centric infrastructure project, which will engage and involve ordinary Malaysians. It’s a centrally-located complex that aims to provide the public with two key features – affordability and accessibility.

This much-needed market-centric-cum-community-project will fill a vacuum in motoring needs, and is on the lookout for other private entities to work with as elevation partners. It is expected to be in operation in March 2009.

The KL MotoPark is designed for versatility, allowing for seven possible layouts suitable for driver training, high-speed racing, drifting, and Drag racing. More than one motoring event can be run simultaneously on the 1.29km long and 20m wide track, which was designed to be compact enough to bring out the entertainment and excitement factor for great spectator-satisfaction.

The venue, which incorporates a hospitality lounge, retail stores, food and beverage outlets, workshops, accessory outlets, ample parking with a spectator capacity of 15,000: 10,000 seated and 5,000 standing, is scheduled to be completed late August this year. It is internationally licensed for Class A go-kart, Class C FIA for Saloon Cars, one SS of rally or rally-cross, international drifting, FIA drag, and FIM (bikes) activities.

Officiating the groundbreaking event at the KL MotoPark, Chairman of the Automobile Association of Malaysia, YM Tunku Datuk Mudzaffar bin Tunku Mustapha said that the KL MotoPark will finally make motorsports an affordable activity for everyone, and propagate talent development in the industry.

“KL MotoPark will leapfrog the progress of the motorsports industry, bringing us one step closer to the aspiration of making Malaysia a hub for motorsports in the region. Once motorsports become accessible, we will be able to transfer talents from off the road to the track, and further encourage the development of grassroots recreational motoring” he said.

He foresees that KL MotoPark will also advocate the creation of future generations of responsible and skillful drivers on the roads and tracks, further improving the motoring standards in the country.

General Manager of KL MotoPark, Khaidi Kamaruddin, said that the MotoPark is intended to raise the standards of general motoring, motorsports management, safety, competitions, partnerships, sponsorships and community expectations. So far, the KL MotoPark has invested 40,000-man-hours in the development stages, a chunk of which went to R&D. A total investment of RM 30 million has been made.

Khaidi, also a professional racer with a background in motorsports management, said KL MotoPark was conceptualized to be a multi-purpose urban complex catering not only to recreational motoring but to fulfill a variety of youth-centric needs. The design of the complex makes it ideal for niche events, concerts, engineering to training and road safety to entertainment.

“We are designing flagship motorsports events, such as Super Street Racing (SSR), Drag Battle Championships, Super Sprint, Drift Prodigi and Super Cub 300. The events will engage the public and elevate the competitive level of our motorsports professionals in the nation,” he added.

KL MotoPark’s core motoring programs will include youth talent-discovery and training programs such as Future Ace, children’s safety programs such as Smart Kiddies and its own driver-training programs for fleet, rally, drift, circuit, open wheeler, two-wheel, plus advance and safety driving.

At the ceremony, Khaidi also announced the launch of the Velocity Card Membership which allows patrons special deals and privileges at the MotoPark. The card allows priority privileges at the MotoPark, offering access to the KLMP’s comprehensive stable of Velocity Toys – a collection of coveted track cars, bikes and go-karts.

Industry leaders and celebrities, Karamjit Singh, Nik Iruwan Nik Izani, Nurul Alis (Kiki), Sari Yanti, Rachel Ting and Puteri Ayu Jasmin were at the groundbreaking as a show of support to the MotoPark.

For a limited time, Velocity Card Memberships can be won via the website’s MotoForum, and through the ongoing KLMP Virtual Treasure Hunt (www.motopark.com.my).

KLMP is a wholly private sector-driven project, and it believes in moderation in terms of infrastructure, according to need.