The inaugural Hong Kong Formula E race will host two support events for an estimated 10,000 spectators, reports the South China Morning Post newspaper. What’s more, the tickets will be priced to ensure maximum take up.

Scheduled for the weekend of 8 October 2016, the fixture is expected to form the opening round of the third Formula E season. Organisers say that the circuit will be similar to Monaco’s famous track (see the circuit diagram here).

Interestingly the article seems to suggest that the event will take place over both days of the weekend, perhaps raising the possibility of a double-header race similar to the season finale in London.

At least half of the 10,000 tickets for the inaugural Formula E race in Hong Kong will be offered at affordable prices, organisers said on Friday.

The Hong Kong event, to be staged along harbourfront streets of Central on October 8-9, will kick off the 2016-17 season of the series, which prides itself on clean energy and sustainability.

Despite facing a staggering HK$300million budget for the two-day event, organisers said they would not be expecting any profit from the gate receipts. “We have yet to decide the ticket prices, but our principle is to ensure more people can enjoy the motor racing,” said Lawrence Yu Kam-kee, president of the Hong Kong Automobile Association.

A temporary grandstand will be erected to accommodate 10,000 spectators and there will also be smaller stands along the 2.2km course.

“Our circuit will be very similar to the Monte Carlo motor racing circuit and we want Hong Kong citizens to give it a proper name, so that they can feel like it is their own,” said Yu. “Many motor racing circuits have a name. The one in Macau is called the Guia circuit. We also want one for Hong Kong.”

Apart from the main race, which will see cars reaching a top speed of 225km/h through the 10-bend circuit, there will also be two supporting races – the first of its kind in the Formula E series.

“We want to make the Hong Kong leg more interesting and fun-filled and therefore we will host two additional races – one for local drivers and one for celebrities,” said Yu.

scmp.com