The Formula One Korean Grand Prix Organizing Committee hosted the Korea International Circuit (KIC) Motor Sports Festival from July 9 to 10 at the Yeongam Korea International Circuit to celebrate that the F1 Korean Grand Prix is only 100 days away.
On July 9, several important figures, including Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choung Byoung-gug, the head of the organizing committee and the governor of South Jeolla Province, Park Joon-young, attended the opening ceremony.
The festival was free of charge and drew more than 10,000 visitors with various events celebrating the excitement of car racing.
On the first day of the festival, 40 cars from professional racing teams gave a performance on the motor racecourse at the Yeongam Circuit. More than 100 of the world’s most famous cars also went around the racecourse performing various stunts. Some lucky visitors were even able to take a bus ride around the racecourse for an up-close and personal view of the cars as they ran their laps. (Photo: Yonhap News)
On Sunday, a marathon called the “Running Contest for the Successful Hosting of the F1” was held on the 5.61 km of track. A prize drawing was also held for children the same day.
The F1 international car races are considered among the world’s top sporting events, along with the Olympics, World Cup, and World Championship in Athletics. Korea will be hosting its second Formula 1 from October 14 to 16.
| Participants on the racecourse (Photo: Yonhap News) |
While the F1 Korea Grand Prix is only 100 days away, to improve the system, the organizing committee has changed from the privately owned Korea Auto Valley Operation (KAVO) to a group of government officials.
For this year’s event, 24 drivers from 12 teams will participate in three days of races. The driver with the fastest record will receive the champion’s cup on October 16. More than 160 thousand people attended the F1 races in Korea last year.
Due to public demand, the price of tickets has been discounted up to 30 percent, and “early bird” tickets are 50 percent cheaper than last year. Tickets range from one day affairs to admission to all three days of races, with the most expensive a three day main grandstand ticket for 890,000 won.
| The Korea Grand Prix 2010 (Photo: The F1's homepage) |
During a press conference on July 9, the committee said, “We’ve made up for the weak points that were found last year. For instance, the transportation infrastructure has been greatly improved.” The committee also said that a special KTX train will run only for F1 audiences during the events.
For more information about the F1, please visit www.koreangp.kr.
By Jessica Seoyoung Choi
Korea.net Staff Writer
