Korean Job Discussion Forums

IlIlNine · Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Location: Gunpo, Gyonggi, SoKo

Looks like the chance of this actually happening are getting better and better!

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78775

It's actually on the official calendar without any asterisks or anything. Excellent.

Now, most worldwide fans are panning this event saying that it's just another asian cash grab which will have empty stands and low excitement. Well, they're probably right. That said, I'll still be going, and I'll still pay their crazy prices. Hopefully there will be so few people that I'll be able to meet some of the drivers!

Anyone else excited?

andrewchon · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 4:11 pm Post subject:

Sure, a race is a race and it's great that Korea gets one.
However, it is a bit hollow because despite the car manufacturing, Korean car makers are not into racing. They are not in F1, LeMans, rallying, or touring cars. Korea hasn't produced a driver or rider of note, yet. Would an F1 GP kickstart a passion for cars? I hope so.

diver · Joined: 16 Jun 2003

IlIlNine · Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Location: Gunpo, Gyonggi, SoKo

It's like Jeremy Clarkson said --

Koreans make cars that resemble 'white goods' -- fridges, washers, dryers - appliances! Korea is not really a car culture, so there's no real drive to get seriously into racing. Perhaps with F1 coming there will be a rise in popularity for motorsports, but without a star Korean athlete, I highly doubt it.

Missihippi · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Location: Gwangmyeong

This story reminds me of my old man dragging me to the Daytona 24 hrs race in Florida every year since i was born. I didn't really enjoy it at the time, but it certainly made a lasting impression. The loud engines, screaming around the track at all hours of the night. The macho talk and beer drinking. As an adult, i think i would enjoy it more.

That being said, i think i will try to make this race... seems interesting.

Murakano · Joined: 10 Sep 2009

it's like F1 in Korea everyday on the roads here.

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

yeremy · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:26 pm Post subject: Korean Auto Racing Scene

There are supposed to be two auto racing tracks here in Korea, but I have only seen the one at Yongin on TV. Korean racers race all sorts of cars from the really small Matiz-like cars to sports cars to SUV's to what appears to be like a Formula Ford-like race car.

I watch Formula 1 on Skylife satellite TV, and often after a F1 race I have seen the race dubbed in Korean by a Korean racing announcer and analyst, though they seem to literally translate the Star Sports F1 broadcast.

The story I read about the new F1 track suggests that it may be a little like Monza with long straights and high speed corners. I hope it is more like Spa than Monza.

I think there is also an underground street racing scene here, but I'm not into that. There was a story a while ago in one of the Korean newspapers that said the National Police Agency busted up a high class street racing scene where doctors et al were racing their imported sports cars at night in secretly designated places.

And I believe that in the A1 Series, there was a open wheel Korean race car driver who raced in one of the broadcasts I saw. He had raced in a similar series in Japan, which may explain why we don't see many of the more skilled and professional Korean racers in Korea. They may be in Japan, for example, or in other countries racing and developing their skills and gaining experience.

I drive regularly and I agree that Hwy 1 from Seoul to Pusan has it's share of would-be racers.

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

I'll be there. I'm already planning my vacation for next year. I haven't been to a GP since Spain 2003 and I'm missing the live action. Of course, I'll probably be going alone since my wife and daughter will NOT want to be there. Perhaps we should all try to get tickets in the same area and have a bit of a meet-up.

NSMatt · Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Location: London

Smee · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: Jeollanam-do

Are you sure they're building two? I only knew of the one, in Yeongam county, Jeollanam-do.

From what I was reading from race fans, they're disappointed by another cookie-cutter track in Asia. And, yeah, it looks like a cash grab to get LG more involved.

Do Koreans actually like racing? I know they like racing girls, but do they like racing?

andrewchon · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:53 pm Post subject:

I know that Koreans do not like to be overtaken, just like in other countries. I haven't noticed drag-racing off the lights. That would be dangerous thing to do in Korea, anyway. Freedom via a motorized transport isn't really part of mainstream culture. I circled Korea on my 100cc scooter during the summer. My co-workers thought that was a dangerous thing to do, only one thought that was adventurous.