Kuwait Motor Town is a 5.609 km (3.485 mi) motor racing circuit in Kuwait, located 56 km (35 mi) south of the capital Kuwait City. The main circuit is the first circuit in Kuwait to hold an FIA Grade One and FIM Grade A licence.[1] The Kuwait Motor Town aims to place Kuwait at the forefront of world-class motorsport events.[2][3]
 | |
| Location | Ali Sabah Al Salem, Ahmadi Governorate, Kuwait |
|---|---|
| Time zone | UTC+03:00 |
| Coordinates | 28°55′48″N 48°8′30″E / 28.93000°N 48.14167°E |
| Capacity | 8,000 seated |
| FIA Grade | 1 |
| Broke ground | 2017 |
| Opened | 28 March 2019 |
| Construction cost | KWD 49 million (US $162 million) |
| Architect | Hermann Tilke |
| Major events | Current: F4 Saudi Arabia (2024) Radical Cup Kuwait (2023–2024) Future: FR Middle East (2023, 2025) Former: 24H Series Middle East Trophy (2022–2023) |
| Website | https://www.kmt.kw/ |
| Grand Prix Circuit (2019–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 5.609 km (3.485 miles) |
| Turns | 20 |
| Race lap record | 1:47.600 ( Joshua Dufek, Tatuus F3 T-318, 2023, F-Regional) |
| Alternative Grand Prix Circuit (2019–present) | |
| Length | 5.160 km (3.207 miles) |
| Turns | 18 |
| Race lap record | 1:43.065 ( Sergiu Nicolae, Porsche 911 (992) GT3 R, 2023, GT3) |
| National Circuit (2019–present) | |
| Length | 4.540 km (2.821 miles) |
| Turns | 17 |
| South Circuit (2019–present) | |
| Length | 1.597 km (0.992 miles) |
| Turns | 8 |
History
editThe circuit was penned by Formula One circuit designer Hermann Tilke in early 2017. Construction was undertaken by KCC Engineering and Contracting Company at a reported cost of KWD49 million (US$162 million). Circuit construction was completed in December 2018 with the circuit opening in 2019.[4] Further development around the circuit is set to take place, including an "Entertainment City" shopping centre.[5]
The first event held at the circuit was the opening round of the 2019 Middle East Rally Championship on March 28.[6]
In terms of international auto racing series, 24H Series was the first event, which was held on 2 December 2022.[7]
Events
edit- Current
- January: Radical Cup Kuwait
- February: F4 Saudi Arabian Championship, Radical Cup Kuwait
- Future
- F4 Middle East Championship (2025)
- Formula Regional Middle East Championship (2023, 2025)
- Former
- 24H Series Middle East Trophy
- 12H Kuwait (2022–2023)
- Formula 4 UAE Championship (2023)
Lap records
editAs of December 2023, the fastest official race lap records at Kuwait Motor Town are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix Circuit: 5.609 km (2019–present) | ||||
| Formula Regional | 1:47.600[8] | Joshua Dufek | Tatuus F3 T-318 | 2023 1st Kuwait Formula Regional Middle East round |
| GT3 | 1:52.062[9] | Zdeno Mikulasko | Lamborghini Huracán GT3 | 2022 12 Hours of Kuwait |
| Formula 4 | 1:54.295[10] | James Wharton | Tatuus F4-T421 | 2023 1st Kuwait F4 UAE round |
| Porsche Carrera Cup | 1:55.272[9] | Sergiu Nicolae | Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup | 2022 12 Hours of Kuwait |
| TCR Touring Car | 2:01.297[9] | Kantasak Kusiri | CUPRA León Competición TCR | 2022 12 Hours of Kuwait |
| GT4 | 2:01.330[9] | Bradley Ellis | Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 | 2022 12 Hours of Kuwait |
| Alternative Grand Prix Circuit: 5.160 km (2019–present) | ||||
| GT3 | 1:43.065[11] | Sergiu Nicolae | Porsche 911 (992) GT3 R | 2023 12 Hours of Kuwait |
| Porsche Carrera Cup | 1:46.229[11] | Christopher Zöchling | Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup | 2023 12 Hours of Kuwait |
| GT4 | 1:51.804[11] | Charlie Robertson | BMW M4 GT4 | 2023 12 Hours of Kuwait |
See also
editNotes
editReferences
edit- ^ "KUWAIT MOTOR TOWN". Tilke Engineers & Architects. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ "Kuwait Motor Town". RacingCircuits.info. 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ "Kuwait Motor Town opens to the public". Kuwait Motor Town. March 2018.
- ^ "Kuwait Motor Town Master Plan Layout". Kuwait International Automobile Club (KIAC). Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ "Kuwait Motor Town 2018". Brugg Group AG. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ "New Kuwait Motor Town circuit ready for MERC return". Gulf Times. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ "24H Series To Race In Kuwait For The First Time In 2022". 24H Series. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ "KMT Formula Series R2 Kuwait Motor Town Formula Regional Middle East Championship Final Result Race 2" (PDF). 28 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d "1st Hankook 12H Kuwait 2022 Race - Final Result per Class" (PDF). 2 December 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
- ^ "KMT Formula Series R2 Kuwait Motor Town F4 UAE Championship Final Result Race 2" (PDF). 28 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
- ^ a b c "2nd Hankook 12H Kuwait 2023 Race - Final Result per Class" (PDF). 9 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.