Kedah Menteri Besar, Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor last week said that one of the state development corporations, Permodalan Kedah is working together with a private company to build an international circuit in Langkawi.
But what actually caught the attention of the media is Minister Sanusi’s remark on how the new circuit is targeting those that took advantage of the island’s tax-free status to purchase high-performance vehicles. The remark sounded a little bit classy but nevertheless, the project is indeed a real deal as Permodalan Kedah earlier today has signed the joint venture deal with OPen Road Asia, the said private company that will turn the circuit into reality.
Located at Bukit Malut, the Founder and Group Advisor of OPen Road Asia, David Goh claimed that the OPen Road International Circuit (ORIC) and Integrated Resorts have a gross development value of RM 1.3 billion. The centrepiece of the project is a 5.8km racing track that is apparently inspired by the legendary Nurburgring in Germany.
David said that it will feature several interesting elements including one of the world’s longest circuit straight together with a banked carousel which seemed to mimic Nurburgring’s famed Carraciola-Karussell as well as downhill hairpins. The circuit is apparently designed to meet FIA Grade 2, FIM Grade B, and CIK-FIA standards but not meant to host Formula One races.
While the whole project will take around 5 years to be completed, ORIC is expected to be done by Q2 2023. Aside from the circuit, the project will also feature luxury residential and retail outlets together with 5-star hotels, automobile dealerships, petrol station, restaurants, and various tourist attractions. Not enough with that, there will also be a storage facility that can handle up to 900 cars.
All in all, it is without a doubt that the ORIC and Integrated Resorts is a highly ambitious and complex project. So, let’s see how it goes for the next few years.
(Source: OPen Road Asia / OPen Road International Circuit.)
