News archive
2008-03-14Russian Circuit Breaks Cover
2007-12-10Apex to design UK 4x4 course with Xtreme Offroad
2007-12-10Apex helps to engineer overtaking in Formula One
2007-12-10Iceland MotoPark project reaches key milestone
2007-12-10Apex supports ‘Engineering Your Future’ at Oxford Brookes University
2007-12-07Abu Dhabi International Kart Circuit nearing completion at ADISC
2007-09-28Apex and ROC Timing Systems Ltd agree technical partnership
2007-03-16Planning continues for Alabama Motorsports Park
2007-03-01Construction starts at Iceland MotoPark Kart circuit
2007-02-21Apex Circuit Design Ltd to join MIA
2007-01-22Construction starts at ADISC International Kart Circuit, Abu Dhabi
2007-01-18Apex Circuit Design and Motorsport Asia to work together
2007-01-09Iceland MotoPark kart circuit gets CiK-FIA design approval
2007-01-08Bowen named on Top 50 Autosport list
2006-09-30Commencement of Iceland MotoPark works onsite
2006-09-21Apex Circuit Design website created by Trimedia, Finland
Commencement of Iceland MotoPark works onsite
Following the launch of the Iceland MotoPark project in May 2006, today saw the launch of works on site with the ceremonial cutting of the soil.
At 4.30pm, just hours after the formal departure of the US Military from their base in Iceland and after the triumphant win by local team Keflavik over Reykjavik in the Icelandic football league final, a gang of heavy digging equipment lined up along the centreline of the future International Standard quarter-mile drag strip ready to compete in the Iceland MotoPark’s first ever ‘race’; eleven diggers waited for the first cut, performed by the Mayor of Keflavik, Arni Sigfusson, operating digger number one.
The event attracted a considerable crowd of onlookers and well wishers; ”This is a day we’ve been waiting to see for over 40 years” said Olafur Gudmundsson, the FIA ASN for Iceland “it is inspiring to see that a private venture run by an Icelandic developer with international support has delivered on a promise many of us only dreamed could happen. We are all so excited with today’s progress”.
Six companies provided equipment and personnel for the event, each keen to demonstrate their commitment to the project; Toppurinn, Jardvelar, AÞ Velaleiga ehf, A. Pálsson ehf Véla Verktakar ehf and Vélaleiga ÓB. Pride was at stake and each driver wanted to prove his – and her – worth.
The Ford dealership in Iceland, Brimborg, provided four cars for display at the event; a Ford GT, a Mustang Cobra, a Focus ST and a Fiesta ST. Shell Oils, showing their commitment as a future stakeholder in the Iceland MotoPark project, provided a fuel truck for the event.
Vilhjalmur Vilhjalmsson, Managing Director of Toppurinn and CEO of the Iceland MotoPark, was clearly thrilled with the day; he said: ”We’ve quite simply moved mountains to achieve what we have so far with this project. I cannot tell you how exciting it is to see interest in our project increasing exponentially. Our design team led by Clive Bowen has provided the most amazing canvass for this project and, today, we’ve gone from a 1:2000 scale to a 1:1 scale.”
Clive Bowen, the track designer, attended the event to witness the first works on site. He added: “Most projects of this nature require two years of preliminary design and planning and we’ve got this far in under a year. We’re talking about a plot twice the size of Silverstone and at least four times the size of Shanghai’s F1 circuit. This land needs to be fully developed to make a financial case for itself. There’s no public money involved, no government underwriting; this is a commercial venture which will create homes, jobs, entertainment and economic growth, I’m so pleased to be able to play a part.”
The next stages for the Iceland MotoPark project involve the conclusion of the formal planning process. Works are expected to properly commence on site in April 2007, with the CiK kart circuit and infrastructure the first components to be built. For the record, digger number five driven by Ragnar Þór Baldursson won the ‘race’ and the award was presented by Vilhjalmur Eyjolfsson, the founder of Toppurinn and a director of the Iceland MotoPark.
The Iceland MotoPark is a mixed-use development; the design and planning of which has been rigorously tested with market research and financial modelling. The project has complete support from the local, regional and national authorities in Iceland, the FIA and the international investment community. Core to the philosophy for the development is the creation of a destination, not just for motorsport but also for tourism, entertainment, employment and education. The Iceland MotoPark will become a gateway to Reykjanesbae, an icon for Iceland and of course, Iceland’s home for all disciplines of motorsport and road safety training.