Bulgaria set to start work on 'unique' F1 venue
Work is set to begin on a new circuit in Bulgaria which could play host to F1 in future - and which will feature a unique feature not seen anywhere else.
According to a report from the Sofia news agency Novinite, the Bulgarian circuit will be fitted with a system which will allow it to be artificially heated to ensure a stable track temperature is maintained.
While that will make the venue an attractive option for testing purposes, Bogdan Nikolov - chairman of the Bulgarian Motorcycling Federation - said he also hoped it would lead to both F1 and MotoGP events on Bulgarian soil.
"The great thing about our project for hosting F1 races is that we will have a kind of a monopoly since the Bulgarian Formula One circuit will be the first in the world with heating of the asphalt layer, sort-of like central heating of the asphalt covering," he said. "This means that all companies producing tires will be eager to use our track in order to test their tyres. On our track they will not be dependent on the atmospheric conditions to test their tires at various temperatures."
The same report suggests that Bulgaria could be part of the F1 schedule as early as 2012 with the possibility that a deal could be signed with Bernie Ecclestone by mid-December.
"We have until December 15, 2010, as deadline from Mr. Bernard Ecclestone, President and CEO of Formula One management and administration, to have all contracts signed," Nikolov said. "He is still expecting the Bulgarian side to tell him a date on which to come to Sofia to sign the contract."
