Shah Alam Circuit
Encyclopedia
Shah Alam Circuit or Batu Tiga Speedway Circuit was a racing circuit in Malaysia. The circuit is located in the capital of Selangor
in Shah Alam
, between the Shah Alam Stadium
and Federal Highway
. The circuit layout was designed by Dutchman
John Hugenholtz
.
from 1968 until 1982, whereby the starter field consisted alternately of vehicles from the Formula Atlantic
, Formula Pacific
or Formula 2. The last Malaysian Grand Prix race held in Shah Alam was held for Formula Holden
in 1995.
The circuit was closed in 1977 after an accident that killed six children, although it later reopened after improvements of fences and guard rails around the track were carried out.
In 1985 the track was lengthened from 3.38 km to 3.693 km with the addition of the curve 11. In the same year, the first international racing was held, the World Sportscar Championship
, won by Jacky Ickx
driving a Porsche 962C
.
The circuit hosted races in the 1990 and 1991 Superbike World Championship
, and from 1991 to 1997 it hosted the Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix
. With altogether four victories until 1997, Mick Doohan scored the most wins on the circuit. The motorcycle Grand Prix was later moved to the Johor Circuit
and to Sepang International Circuit
.
In 2003 the circuit was sold by Selangor state government to a property developer, which then developed the area into a luxury housing project by the name D'Kayangan.
's 1995 film Thunderbolt
.
Selangor
Selangor also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity") is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west...
in Shah Alam
Shah Alam
Shah Alam is the state capital of Selangor, Malaysia situated within the Petaling District and a small portion of the neighboring Klang District. It is located about west of the country's capital, Kuala Lumpur. Shah Alam replaced Kuala Lumpur as the capital city of the state of Selangor in 1978...
, between the Shah Alam Stadium
Shah Alam Stadium
Shah Alam Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Shah Alam, Malaysia. It is used mostly for football matches but also has facilities for athletics...
and Federal Highway
Federal Highway, Malaysia
Federal Highway, or Lebuhraya Persekutuan in Malay is a Malaysian highway connecting the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, and Klang, Selangor. The highway starts from Seputeh in Kuala Lumpur to Klang, Selangor...
. The circuit layout was designed by Dutchman
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
John Hugenholtz
John Hugenholtz
Johannes Bernhardus Theodorus "Hans" Hugenholtz, in English-speaking countries a.k.a. John Hugenholtz was a Dutch designer of race tracks and cars....
.
History
The circuit was opened in 1968 with the first Grand Prix won by Indonesian Hengkie Iriawan. It became a venue for the Malaysian Grand PrixMalaysian Grand Prix
First included in the Formula One World Championship in 1999, the current Malaysian Grand Prix is held at the Sepang International Circuit at Sepang, Malaysia. FIA-sanctioned racing in Malaysia has existed since the 1960s...
from 1968 until 1982, whereby the starter field consisted alternately of vehicles from the Formula Atlantic
Champ Car Atlantic Championship
The Cooper Tires presents the Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda was a formula race car series with races throughout North America. It is often colloquially referred to as the Atlantic Championship, Champ Car Atlantics , Toyota Atlantics , or just Atlantics or Formula...
, Formula Pacific
Formula Pacific
Formula Pacific was a motor racing category which was utilised in the Pacific Basin area from 1977 to 1982. It specified a single-seat, open-wheeler chassis powered by a production-based four-cylinder engine of under 1600cc capacity. The formula was based on Formula Atlantic, with provision made...
or Formula 2. The last Malaysian Grand Prix race held in Shah Alam was held for Formula Holden
Formula Holden
Formula Holden was an Australian open wheel racing category.-History:Known during its development as Formula Australia, it was initially for chassis constructed from aluminium only, running a 3.8 litre Buick V6 engine as it was then utilised in the new versions of the Holden Commodore...
in 1995.
The circuit was closed in 1977 after an accident that killed six children, although it later reopened after improvements of fences and guard rails around the track were carried out.
In 1985 the track was lengthened from 3.38 km to 3.693 km with the addition of the curve 11. In the same year, the first international racing was held, the World Sportscar Championship
World Sportscar Championship
The World Sportscar Championship was the world series run for sports car racing by the FIA from 1953 to 1992.The championship evolved from a small collection of the most important sportscar, endurance and road racing events in Europe and North America with dozens of gentleman drivers at the grid,...
, won by Jacky Ickx
Jacky Ickx
Jacques Bernard "Jacky" Ickx is a Belgian former racing driver who achieved 25 podium finishes in Formula One and six wins in the 24 hours of Le Mans.- Racing career :...
driving a Porsche 962C
Porsche 962
The Porsche 962 was a sports-prototype racing car built by Porsche as a replacement for the 956 and designed mainly to comply with IMSA's GTP regulations, although it would later compete in the European Group C formula as the 956 had...
.
The circuit hosted races in the 1990 and 1991 Superbike World Championship
Superbike World Championship
Superbike World Championship is the worldwide Superbike racing Championship. The championship was founded in . The Superbike World Championship season consists of a series of rounds held on permanent racing facilities...
, and from 1991 to 1997 it hosted the Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix
Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix
The Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix is a motorcycling event that is part of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing season.-Multiple winners :-Multiple winners :-By year:...
. With altogether four victories until 1997, Mick Doohan scored the most wins on the circuit. The motorcycle Grand Prix was later moved to the Johor Circuit
Johor Circuit
Johor Circuit is the only racing circuit in the state of Johor, Malaysia. Located in Pasir Gudang. The circuit was officially opened on 1986 by Sultan Iskandar of Johor ....
and to Sepang International Circuit
Sepang International Circuit
The Sepang International Circuit is a racing circuit in Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia. It is located near Kuala Lumpur International Airport, approximately 60 km south of the capital city Kuala Lumpur. It is the venue used for the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix, A1 Grand Prix as well as the...
.
In 2003 the circuit was sold by Selangor state government to a property developer, which then developed the area into a luxury housing project by the name D'Kayangan.
Details
The Batu Tiga Speedway Circuit Track Details In Brief:- Total Area: 143 acre (0.57870098 km²)
- No. of Pits: 57 units, 42 units concrete pit (22' x 17'), 15 units wooden pits (22' x 7')
- Spectator capacity: Covered grandstand - 8000, Uncovered grandstand - 18,000
- Track length: 3.38km / 3.69km
- No. of Turns: 14. Left -4, Right -10
- Straights: 3. The longest straight was 600 meters.
- Gate Entrances: 3
In popular culture
The track was used as one of the shooting locations for Jackie ChanJackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
's 1995 film Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt (1995 film)
Thunderbolt is a 1995 Hong Kong action film, directed by Gordon Chan and starring Jackie Chan. In some early North American releases, it was known as Dead Heat....
.