(Lead Photo: New York Times) In October 2010 the Korea International Circuit hosted it’s first F1 race. The course had been built with the promise that it would be on the F1 circuit, that investors, hotels, racers and fans would flock to the track, which is located in Yeongam, South Jeolla, about 250 miles south of Seoul on the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula. Built under a $264 million deal between Bernie Ecclestone and Korea Auto Valley Operations (a partnership between the South Jeolla regional government and M-Bridge Holdings), it was expected to become a major attraction for the area. Except that F1 only ran three races there…now the track is considered a huge financial flop and the South Jeolla government is being scrutinized for it’s rush into the deal. F1 isn’t likely to return to the area soon, but with an F1-quality racetrack at their disposal and recent law changes allowing for some freedom in vehicle modification (something that was pretty much a no-go beforehand), the beginning of a car culture in South Korea are starting to grow. What started out as a grand flop just might inspire more meaning than F1 could have ever brought to the Korean Peninsula, and that means something. The New York Times takes a look in-depth at the circumstances surrounding Korea International Circuit and what has been happening since F1 abandoned the track.
The article doesn’t seem too well researched. They make it sound like this is the first and only auto race track in Korea. Here’s a six year old Korean drag racing video and that is at least a decade after i’d noticed drag races there on the existing road course tracks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=issxl7oDisI
Also probably not unique in F1 tracks being local financial boondoggles, Most of them are,
Here’s a better video, from five years ago but with more obviously drag racing modified cars.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2NTcz6t6qU