FIA World Rallycross Championship in Hong Kong delayed, track shortened after construction issues as materials arrive late
- The action was set to get under way at 8.10am on Saturday morning, but did not start until 12.28pm with two straights on Lung Wo Road removed
- Organisers blame ‘unforeseen’ delay with 1.225km half-mud, half-tarmac city centre circuit reduced because of late shipment from South Korea
Construction issues on the Central Harbourfront caused the first day of this weekend’s FIA World Rallycross Championship season finale in Hong Kong to be delayed, with the track having to be shortened by more than 400 metres.
The action had been set to get under way with practice at 8.10am on Saturday morning, before the SuperPole at 10.05am and the first heat at 11.10am.
But the 1.225km half-mud, half-tarmac track was still incomplete late on Friday night, when organisers sent an “urgent” statement to media regarding Saturday’s schedule being pushed back until after midday.
The circuit had been set to feature two long straights on Lung Wo Road, to “save costs” according to promoters at March’s launch event.
But when the public roadblock began at 2pm on Friday, materials required to complete the straights, such as safety barriers and gravel, had not arrived on site yet from South Korea.
The 800m track was the shortest of the World Rallycross season, but the FIA and the drivers had no issues.
