Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/809226
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 9 APRIL 2017 News THE Malta Motorsport Fed- eration (MMF) has urged Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to ful- fil an electoral promise to con- struct a motorsport race circuit in Malta. Addressing the press outside Castille yesterday morning, MMF President Tonio Cini said that after issuing an expression of interest in 2015, government had not yet proceeded with the selection process despite receiv- ing five submissions. Cini said the investors include experienced companies who have built international stand- ard tracks in America, Qatar, and Russia. "We cannot keep these inves- tors waiting and we know that the government spent €250,000 on this expression of interest. As a federation we believe that this project must take place, because it can bring a stronger invest- ment to the country," Cini said. An international expression of interest for the design, construc- tion and operation of a motor recreation and education park was launched some two years ago. The proposal has proven con- troversial amongst environmen- talists, with green party Alter- nattiva Demokratika claiming that Malta is too small to sustain a motorsports track, and Front Harsien ODZ calling for a feasi- bility study to precede the EOI. But Cini insisted that the fa- cilities will be more than a racetrack, underlining the edu- cational functions such a track offers. "This is not just a racetrack, but it will be a facility where people can learn how to drive properly, such as learning gaining control of a car, something which can't be done on our roads." He also underlined the eco- nomic importance of a race- track, saying that the facilities would attract tourists and inter- national events. Calling on the Prime Minis- ter to act swiftly, Cini said: "it is high time for this capital in- vestment to take place, and this decision should be made as soon as possible before investors lose their interest." The site and size of the track are yet to be decided, however Cini said the federation would not oppose having the track con- structed in Hal Far but insisted that the facilities should include a circular track of 3km. Among the sites being consid- ered for the track are the stretch of land between Siggiewi and Qrendi, the area around the Hal Far quarter-mile track and the pristine Mtahleb area. The EOI sought the develop- ment of racing tracks for cars, bikes, go-karts, mini-motos and scooters, meeting international standards. It also stipulated that the facility must attract interna- tional events on a regular basis and the park 's administration, in agreement with the government, must allow slots to be used by enthusiasts for their training. Motorsport lobby calls on PM to speed up plans for racetrack MMF President Tonio Cini said that after issuing an expression of interest in 2015, government had not yet proceeded with the selection process despite receiving five submissions