Elite likes wasteful sport like motor-racing

Today, they were making a big deal about 'Earth Hour', asking everyone to switch off their lights to "save the planet". At the same time, they're planning to promote motor sports. This is a wasteful sport, only intended for the elite. Get several fast cars and bikes to zoom around the racing track. Waste fuel and create greenhouse gases.

As always, the decadent elite double talks. Say one thing, do the exact opposite. The decadent elite has another important characteristic: they never see the contradiction of their actions vs their word. That's why they stay in power. They're hopelessly hyprocritical. It's in the blood.

---------------------------
Mar 27, 2010
STRAITS TIMES: Promoting racing
Minister says permanent race track key to motorsports' success
By Leonard Lim

SG CHANGI is proposing a year-round calendar of events at the Motorsports Hub to make it a vibrant destination that will appeal to both racing and non-racing fans. Among the top international races it is hoping to bring in are:
MotoGP
Motorcycling's version of Formula One
Japan Super GT Series
A grand touring car series, involving makes like the BMW Z4, Porsche 911 GT3, Subaru Legacy and Mazda RX-7
Formula Nippon
The top level of single-seater racing in Japan
Asia Festival of Speed series
The continent's premier motorsports event, it comprises several series such as Formula BMW Pacific, and moves to different circuits around Asia

THE permanent race track at the Changi Motorsports Hub, which will be ready by late next year, is crucial to Singapore's strategy to promote the sport.
The Formula One night race might be the crown jewel in the country's motorsports calendar, but to Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, it is just the first step.
At a press conference yesterday to announce SG Changi consortium as the winner for the Hub project, he said: 'We want to promote and anchor motorsports in Singapore.'
And to smiles from local racers Ivan Lim and Melvin Choo, and Singapore Motor Sports Association president Tan Teng Lip, he added: 'In order to do that, you need to have a local facility where our own people can gain access to at least an FIA Grade 2 track.'
An International Automobile Federation Grade 2 track can host any motor race except F1.
Dr Balakrishnan pointed to several factors that helped SG Changi trump bids from Sports Services (backed by public-listed Haw Par Corporation) and Singapore Agro Agriculture after a year-long tender process.
They were: An innovative and flexible track design which lets the 3.7km layout be split in half, thus allowing for two races to be staged simultaneously; the quality of the international and local events to be brought in, and the group's financial strength and viability.
SG Changi, which has former owner of Jurong Kart World Thia Yoke Kian as one of four directors, will finance, build and manage the facility for 30 years. The 41ha site near the Singapore Airshow grounds will cost about $330 million - $50million more than originally estimated - because of hikes in construction costs.
The Hub will also include a 1.2km go-karting track, which will allow youngsters to get their first taste of racing. The only operational karting track here presently is the 750m Kartright Speedway in Jurong. F1 stars like Lewis Hamilton all started out in go-karts.
Said Choo, who will make his debut in the Japan Super GT next weekend in Okayama: 'A permanent circuit is the most important step in building a local motorsports scene. I'm sure we'll have our own racing series, which will provide a platform for sponsors to get involved.'
Growing the motorsports industry is also high on the Government's agenda. DrBalakrishnan said: 'It's not just buying and selling cars, but also the technology behind the cars, the way you can modify or use it in ways which are effective and safe.'
The Hub will have space for car workshops and businesses selling equipment like helmets. A grandstand for 20,000 spectators, a three-star hotel, garages and food and beverage outlets will also be catered for.
Construction is expected to begin in about three months, once the requisite paperwork is completed. SG Changi has secured funding in the form of bank loans and equity, said Thia. 'If costs rise, we have secured about 15 per cent more than already budgeted,' he added.
Still, there are worries that the project could be hobbled by delays like the $1.87billion Sports Hub, which lacked funding owing to the financial crisis.
But Dr Balakrishnan noted this was a 'different ball game', with fewer stakeholders, and regulatory and financial complexities. He said: 'I'm hoping that there'll be no undue delays. We'll now help facilitate all their approvals for building permits and the rest of it.'