Turkey could still return to F1 - operator

"The rental business will be just one part of our diverse activities"

By GMM

2 September 2015 - 13:32
Turkey could still return to F1 - (...)

The new operator of Turkey’s former F1 track says the sport could return to Istanbul in the future.

The Turkish daily Sozcu this week reported that a company called Intercity has signed a 10-year lease, and plans to turn the circuit that hosted seven grands prix until 2011 into a used car or car rental dealership.

But Intercity chief Sadi Hezber has told Speed Week that motor racing remains central to Istanbul Park.

"The rental business will be just one part of our diverse activities," he said. "Intercity Istanbul Park still has a grade 1 FIA licence, so that formula races could be held here in the future again."

Sadi Hezber also contacted us and provided more information about the plans for the Istanbul Park.

"The used car operation just constitutes one part of the operation of what as a whole we are doing at Intercity Istanbul Park. I would like to give you a brief summary on that.

"Intercity Istanbul Park race track is one of the top 5 ranked F1 tracks in the world (as motor sports drivers, teams & officials say & express). We still operate under FIA Grade 1 licence and facility wise 100% ready to host a F1 race in the future. (Additionally we were the first F1 track
owner that combined F1 track with a dirt rally cross track creating a hybrid set-up and gathered a FIA Grade 6R license)

"Intercity took over the management of the track at the end of 2012. In terms of international races we have hosted World Superbike races in 2013 and we regularly host FIA World Rallycross RX and Ferrari Racing Days (latter 1 in every 2 year).

"Next month on 3-4 October 2015 we will host the FIA Wolrd Rallycross RX event for the second time and on 17-18 October 2015 we will host 12 hours endurance race named "Istanbul 12 Hours". It will be the first event in Intercity Istanbul Park that will begin early in the morning and run until the night...

"To increase motor sports interest & scene in Turkey we have decided to organize our own single make cup races. This October we will start with 3 racing series; Clio Cup with 25 cars on grid (for amateurs with no racing experience), Caterham Cup with 20 cars on grid and Porsche Gt3 Trophy Turkey with 20 cars on the grid. On these race days our public track day events will also take place to create a motor sports themed weekends with lots of side offerings like shows, concerts, F&B, kids entertainment areas and more.

"For the automobile industry the circuit attracts high attention globally for product launches & tests. In 2014 we hosted BMW M3&M4 world customer launch and BMW M Sales Awards for almost 2 months along with Porsche Central Eastern Europe event called "Porsche on Track". This year Intercity Istanbul Park became one of the 6 centers of Porsche with Porsche Driving
Center Istanbul being established at Intercity Istanbul Park. Every year we plan to increase our global presence by hosting major automobile manufacturers. Almost all local major automobile brands regularly uses the facility for their potential customer test drives & press launches. The automobile/commercial vehicle companies who has R&D offices in Turkey do
regularly use the track & surrounding facilities for their technical tests too.

"Additionally in 2013 we have established "Intercity Driving Academy"; one of the largest driving academy in Europe with state of the art driving sections like kick plate, 360 degree skid pad, slippery and watered handling & braking zones which could simulate every hazardous situation that could be faced in normal traffic conditions. With modern classrooms &
meeting rooms we have a capacity of educating 40.000 people a year. The academy courses range from safety driving for cars & motorcycles up to heavy duty & commercial vehicles. We also have tailored courses for ambulance drivers, defensive driving for guards and custom purpose built courses. High performance courses in our academy ranges from very basic
levels up to race driver training.

"As you may see we are actively managing the track and every year we try to introduce a new event or a new racing series. The utilization levels are more than 250 days and we are aiming to exceed 300 days in 2016.

"As being the largest long term fleet car rental company in Turkey with more than 35.000 cars in its fleet we are inevitably one of the largest 2nd hand car seller in Turkey. Relying to our industry know how and experience we wanted to create a large open air 2nd hand car market that would serve both to individuals and to used car galleries & businesses. This new establishment has lots of industry firsts & services therefore will be the industry benchmark. The center will be located in Intercity Istanbul Park facility this way we would be able to cross sell and promote both circuit activities & 2nd hand sales center at the same time. An individual willing to trade his/her car may see the events taking place and could participate or vice versa. On 9th of September 2015 we will have our opening ceremony for the center.

"As you may have sensed until now we see the track as a base for everything related to motor sports and automotive industry. Therefore we put our best effort to make Intercity Istanbul Park a 360 degrees facility that can cater any need of a corporate client or an individual from facility rental, meetings, product launches, special events, turn key driving experiences, international & local races, driving training courses, kids entertainment events, trade areas & activities, fairs, conferences, recreational activities and more."

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