New Delhi (Mizzima) – Burma will get its first ever mini car racing track, owned by a private company in Thingangyun Township, Rangoon Division on October 30.
The track called ‘Galaxy Racing Karts Ground’ on Wayzayandar Street, Thingangyun Township, near the Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) office has been built by Shwe Pont Pont Co.
“We plan to inaugurate it on October 30 as 90 per cent of the construction is complete. It is of an international standard,” Shwe Pont Pont Co. Managing Director Tin Aung Myint told Mizzima.
A senior official of the junta’s Ministry of Sports said that they had been cooperating with Shwe Pont Pont Co. over the last two months in laying the race track. Shwe Pont Pont Co. is also into constructing other sport grounds.
“The race track has been built in cooperation between the Ministry and Shwe Pont Pont Co. But we cannot disclose till what time we shall continue cooperating,” he said. Since the sport is motor racing, the race track will be under the Sports Ministry.
The company has imported 20 small racing cars from Japan with a maximum speed of 80 mph. The cars are ready to race on the track, he added.
“The objectives regarding this project are entertainment and recreation for the people,” Tin Aung Myint said.
The race track is on 6.5 acres on winding asphalt road.
Those who wish to drive on the race track will be provided training in two groups, one in the ages of 6-12 and another for those between 12-18 by the Botataung Township based Shwe Pont Pont Co. After getting a driving license from the Road Transport Department and after attaining the age of 18, anyone can drive on the race track.
There are plans to insure aspirant drivers in cooperation with the Myanmar Insurance Corporation.
“They contacted us for insuring the drivers but detailed negotiation is awaited,” a Myanmar Insurance Corporation official said.
Full dress will be provided to the drivers and the race track will be opened from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The company will also provide experienced instructors. An inexperienced driver must drive under the supervision of an instructor.
There will be a cafe, a bar and restaurants for racing car drivers, along with an internet cafe equipped with Wi-Max system (it doesn’t need a telephone line and can connect to a maximum of 12 computer terminals).
Shwe Pont Pont Co. declined to give details on entry fees, dress training among others things. They are planning to hold a press conference on October 23.
(Reported by Salai Han Thar San)
