Libya might soon have a new motor racing circuit to go with its new government, if two Maltese entrepreneurs are successful in their bid and dream to redevelop Tripoli’s famous Mellaha Lake circuit.
The Libyan uprising disrupted our plans, but our Libyan contacts are still very eager to get project off the ground
The project involves an initial investment of €120 million and envisages the development of a 3.9 km race track together with a hotel and variety of retail space.
But the two Maltese entrepreneurs harbour an even greater dream: to build a similar track in Malta.
Charles Bellia and Frans Deguara, two local racing enthusiasts and businessmen, are brokering negotiations between British-based sports consultancy Silverstone Formula and Libyan investors Dowleen Co. Ltd.
The Libyan circuit could be capable of hosting several FIA-sanctioned events, from Formula 3 and Formula GP2-GT races to quarter mile sprints and karting or motorbike races.
In spite of Libya’s political situation, Mr Bellia is bullish about the project.
“We’ve essentially concluded negotiations with our Libyan partners and all the necessary business plans and feasibility studies have been conducted.
“We had received approval for the project from the Gaddafi regime before the uprising. One of Gaddafi’s sons had even signed the paperwork. Now we’ll need to move fast and draw up a contract with the new government, but there’s no reason why they would oppose such an infrastructural project,” he said.
His partner, Frans Deguara, said: “The Libyan uprising naturally disrupted our plans, but our Libyan contacts are still very eager to get the project off the ground. We just need the dust to settle.”
Mr Bellia is reluctant to speak about concrete timeframes, though he is intending to visit Libya shortly.
The proposed track would replace Libya’s famous Mellaha Lake circuit. First used for racing in 1925, the old track hosted the Tripoli Grand Prix and was considered one of the fastest in the world until it fell into disuse in 1940, following the outbreak of World War II.
The last-ever Mellaha Lake Grand Prix was won by one Giuseppe Farina, who has since entered racing folklore as the first-ever Formula 1 champion.
Mr Bellia and Mr Deguara also have big plans for Malta. According to Mr Bellia, the two first floated the idea of constructing a professional racing circuit on the island in 1994, but nothing came of it. Things have moved on since then, and they now have substantial backing for the plan.
“Silverstone Formula has fully-backed our plan to construct a Maltese racing track. We also have a proposal from South African company Spead Design to invest in Malta and shift its racing car, go kart and super kart manufacturing base here,” Mr Bellia said. But Spead Design, Mr Bellia said, would only invest in Malta if proposals to build a motor racing circuit gain traction.
“The hi-tech racing vehicles designed by Spead Design require test facilities before they can be approved for racing. Malta doesn’t have an adequate racing circuit. If the government doesn’t show any interest in the proposal put forward by ourselves and Silverstone Formula, Spead Design will relocate to Sicily instead,” he said.
Mr Deguara, who is also president of the Association for Motor Sports, is proposing a private-public partnership.
He is hoping the government provides the necessary land, while they will build a top-class racing circuit capable of hosting international racing meets, as well as local racing events.
Although a Maltese racing circuit is still far from becoming a reality, Mr Deguara is determined to see it happen.
“Our partners, Silverstone Formula, are world-famous when it comes to circuit construction and design. We know Maltese motorsport’s requirements, and intend to go beyond them. Our aim is to make the government an offer it can’t refuse.”