The Malta Motorsport Federation yesterday issued a statement where they expressed their concern over the lack of progress in the government plans of constructing a motor racing track.
For the last few months, the government had reiterated his plans of building a motor racing track in Malta but so far this plans remain on the shelf much to the frustration of the MMF and the motor sport enthusiasts.
In a statement, the MMF said that in the last few months they had presented a feasible proposal for the development of a Road Safety and Motorsport Facility but so far they received no feedback from the authorities.
“A few months ago, the Malta Motorsport Federation has presented a design concept of what is being considered as a very feasible and viable proposal for the development for the Road Safety and Motorsport Facility,” the statement said.
“This design concept was carried out with a team of architects from ‘Periti Studio’ who together with the Federation officials, carried out the necessary plans and studies in line with various aspects and limitations required by the local plans released by the Planning Authority.
“This proposal, which was also presented to motorsport clubs affiliated and not with the Federation, incorporates all the facilities expected for an internationally homologated 3-kilometre racetrack to which is in line with the government’s vision of sustainability and environmental conscious as requested on multiple occasions by the Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat.
“The proposal also incorporates road safety driving learning facilities, a 1.2km karting track, and a 1km criterium track for the use of cycling athletes, along with huge open spaces that shall be guaranteed to remain as is.
However, the Federation is very concerned with the lack of progress and feedback by the Government to fulfil the electoral pledge.”
The MMF said the authorities had promised that at the start of 2019 they would announce the site and plans but the governing body is not sure this will happen.
“Although high ranking government officials have been quoted on several news portals that in the beginning of 2019, the government will be announcing the site and plans for the development of the race track, this seems to be very unrealistic that it will happen any time soon,” the MMF said.
“The Federation expects the government to act on the various solutions in hand along with the proposals presented by the Federation and swiftly move to the next phase so that the project can be announced and start without any further delays.
“Our athletes and enthusiasts have been waiting for their promised racing ground for several years and believe that this is the right time to fulfil this pledge.”
The Federation emphasised that motorsport cannot risks losing more talents from upcoming young drivers, who are dropping out of motor racing due to the lack of facilities.
“It will be our fault, if the country will not provide the necessary facility to incentivise our youths to remain active in the sport and become future European champions. To continue improving in our success we need proper training facilities,” the statement concluded.