Ecclestone eyes Turkey GP circuit tender

UPDATE A number of local companies have "obtained authorization to join a tender for Turkey’s idle car race track," Istanbul Park, according to Hulya Guler of the HURRIYET. The F1 circuit was built to host the Turkish F1 Grand Prix, but was "put out for tender when the race was removed from the calendar." However, reports indicate that F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone is also interested in the plot, "adding that while he had not yet obtained the tender specifications, he was looking at doing so." Among the local contenders to rent the venue for 10 years are trade company CNR Expo; the Istanbul Golf Club; car rental company Intercity; and construction firm OzyazÄ±cÄ±. The tender is scheduled to take place on Oct. 10, while the "annual appraised value of the circuit is $3M." HURRIYET

10/03/12

Istanbul circuit

(GMM) Bernie Ecclestone is interested in securing the former Turkish grand prix venue in Istanbul, the Hurriyet daily reports.

The newspaper said a tender is scheduled to take place next Wednesday.

The Istanbul Park circuit hosted formula one races between 2005 and 2011, and although poorly attended the Hermann Tilke-penned layout was lauded particularly for its challenging quadruple-apex turn 8.

But Turkey fell off the F1 calendar for 2012, after local organizers and F1 chief executive Ecclestone failed to agree a new higher race sanctioning fee.

Hurriyet now cites "sources" in reporting that Ecclestone is among those interested in bidding for the circuit.