Opinion | Formula E: Hong Kong E-Prix can solve its street circuit headache with move to Tsim Sha Tsui
- Organisers must extend Central harbourfront circuit next year or find another street track
- Otherwise Asia’s self-proclaimed events capital will lose one of its flagship showpieces
While HKT Hong Kong E-Prix will once again take centre stage on Central Harbourfront this weekend, will the new “Gen2” electric cars be racing under the iconic Victoria Harbour skyline again next year?
The harbourfront circuit is not up to the required standard in terms of course distance. The Hong Kong E-Prix has been allowed to run on a shorter 1.86-kilometre street circuit since its debut in 2016, thanks to an exemption granted by world governing body, Federation Internationale de l’Automobile.
But when the grace period is over on Sunday, organisers must extend the existing circuit to meet the required distance of 2.2 kilometres for next year.
If they cannot make it in Central, they will have to find another circuit or Asia’s self-proclaimed events capital will lose one of its flagship events.
The Tsim Sha Tsui East promenade, which hosts marathon running, triathlon and cycling, would be an ideal alternative, while the newly developed West Kowloon Cultural District, virtually an enclosed area with little impact on outside traffic, is another obvious candidate.
