TO MOTORSPORTS enthusiasts, the permanent track to be built at Changi is more than just an alternative to the Pasir Gudang or Sepang circuits in Malaysia.

More importantly, it represents an integral piece of a jigsaw in the promotion of a motorsports culture here.

"It will be crucial in building up an awareness and culture of motorsports," said Singapore Motor Sports Association (SMSA) president Tan Teng Lip.

"Having events there year-round will also be the perfect complement to Formula One."

The fraternity had been lobbying for a permanent track for the past few years, after a re-emergence of interest in motorsports not seen since the Singapore Grand Prix days at Thomson Road from 1961 to 1973.

Last Friday, their wish was granted when the Government announced that it would invite the private sector to submit proposals for a racetrack around the middle of next year.

The news, coming five months after Singapore announced it would host its first F1 race next September, got fans like Tony Tan "visiting a new high".

Said the SMSA official: "For any sport to grow, you need facilities for people to go to. It's like football, you can't have an international football competition without a proper stadium.

"We've sometimes had to stage our events, like go-kart races, at car parks around the island."

"When completed, the Changi track will truly be like a home to us, to host events and high-speed demonstrations."

Local enthusiasts who have had to endure the inconvenience of travelling to Sepang on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur or the Pasir Gudang circuit in Johor to get their fix will soon have Changi at their doorstep.

Said manager Stanley Song: "The biggest drawback of Sepang is getting there and back, which takes a few hours. There are also multiple toll fees and a high dosage of petrol needed."

The Government has said that the privately funded track, once completed around 2011, must stage at least three international races and two national series annually.

The Grade 2 facility will be able to stage the likes of motorcycling's MotoGP, the A1 Grand Prix and the Japan's Super GT races - basically anything except F1.

The buzz from such races, along with industry roadshows and exhibitions that will almost certainly be staged, will ensure that the fever created from F1 does not cool down after the street race.

Said regional IT manager Christopher Ng: "Other than F1, Singapore needs feeder races such as the A1 Grand Prix to help the country gain a strong foothold as a motor-racing hub. Building the track will certainly make these other races a reality."

It is understood that parties in Singapore had been approached to host an A1 or World Touring Car Championship race in the past.

But the absence of a permanent track was a stumbling block.

For professional racer Hafiz Koh, who competed in the A1 series last year, the Changi track will allow him to practise locally instead of having to go to places like Sepang.

He said: "Depending on how the Government wants to market the area, other motor-related businesses, such as car workshops, could be located there."

SMSA president Tan hopes to nurture more racers like Koh, with the mandatory driver training school to be built with the track.

"A training programme for youngsters can be worked out, starting them with go-karts at ages eight or nine," he said. "They can then progress to other forms of racing when they grow older."

CIMB-GK economist Song Seng Wun is rubbing his hands with glee, even as he thinks it is too early to put a dollar value to how much the motorsports industry would potentially be worth to the economy.

The self-confessed fan of multiple MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi hopes to see his idol racing at Changi in the future.

He said: "There'll probably be some small industry that springs up here once F1 comes around. The activities at the track will help sustain it for the whole year.

"Perhaps, one day, we can produce someone to race in a world-class competition."