Local firms to bid for Istanbul F1 track

Hülya Güler ISTANBUL / Hürriyet

The Istanbul Park is put on tender, which is scheduled to take place on Oct 10.

A number of local companies have obtained authorization to join a tender for Turkey’s idle car race track, Istanbul Park.

The Formula One Circuit was built to host the Turkish F1Grand Prix, but was put out for tender when the race was removed from the calendar due to monetary dispute after F1 administrators demanded a doubling in race fees from Istanbul organizers.

However, Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone is also interested in the plot, sources said, 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 CNR Expo, a trade fair firm; the Istanbul Golf Club; Intercity, a car rental firm; and Özyazıcı, a construction firm.

The tender is scheduled to take place on Oct. 10, while the annual appraised value of the circuit is $3 million. The venue may be used for annual meetings of corporations, film and TV series shootings, trade exhibitions, as well as motorsport events.