JOHOR BARU: The Johor government is planning to reopen the Pasir Gudang Circuit or Johor Circuit, which has been closed for the past nine years.
State Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah said he and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi would seek an audience with the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, soon to present the plan to reopen the circuit.
He said the reopening of the circuit could serve as a training ground for the Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) Racing Team, featuring national rider Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah.
"When the JDT Racing Team was established in Johor, many people have asked about the Pasir Gudang circuit. However, upon reevaluation, it was found that the cost of repairs would be relatively high.
"Insya Allah, the Menteri Besar and I will seek an audience with Tunku Mahkota Ismail for his consideration to reopen this circuit, serving as a training ground for Hafizh Syahrin and other motorsport enthusiasts in the near future," he said in response to queries regarding the rumours surrounding the circuit's reopening.
Mohd Hairi was speaking to reporters after the handover ceremony of the Yayasan Sultan Ibrahim Johor (YSIJ) Food Box Donation and Back-to-School Aid for the Larkin state constituency here yesterday.
He also hoped that the reopening of the circuit would further boost motorsports activities and make it a preferred venue for enthusiasts.
Last October, JDT expanded their horizon by venturing into motorsports, roping national motorcycle ace rider Hafizh Syahrin, who will compete in the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) in the 2024 season.
Built in 1986, the Pasir Gudang circuit has been closed for renovation since 2016.– BERNAMA