Meanwhile, reports are surfacing of several new circuits being built up the St. Lawrence River near Niagara Falls, Ontario. With the backing of Jeff Gordon and others, Kuwaiti investment firm Bayt Al Mal is reportedly building a new $200 million motorsports park in Niagara to include a one-mile oval track for NASCAR races and a 2.5-mile road course that could attract the Canadian Grand Prix to the site. The facility being built boasts seating capacity for 100,000, plus hotels and other accommodations on a 623 acre site. Several other projects are also reportedly under way in the region, close to upstate New York and not far from Detroit, including a 3.5-mile road course for the IRL.

APRIL 14, 2009
An F1 track in Ontario?

The Niagara Falls Review has been busy in recent days investigating a story about a $200m racing circuit development in the area. The idea makes sense. Niagara has been suffering in recent years with new US passport requirements, rising fuel costs, border delays, inclement weather and the weakening US economy all reducing the number of visitors. Niagara is looking at ways to increase its numbers. At the moment two-thirds of the visitors come from the US and 26% from Canada. This means that only around eight percent visit from overseas. Interestingly, their spending contributes 20% of the tourist revenues. This means that Niagara is keen to attract a more international audience, to see the famous waterfall and to enjoy the area. A casino and luxury hotel was opened by the Seneca Indian tribe and this has helped, while there are two casinos on the Canadian side.

Now Kuwaiti bank Bayt Al Mal has announced that it is to fund construction of a one-mile oval complete with a 2.5 mile road course at Fort Erie, on the Canadian side. The aim is to create a home for NASCAR in Canada, but there has already been speculation that the circuit could also become the home of the Canadian Grand Prix.