FIA rallycross high fences for spectator safety and keeping out ticket cheats

High fences will be built as part of an all-new circuit for the FIA World Rallycross Championship for the safety of spectators and to prevent intruders without tickets or drone activities.

Also, road closures for Yiu Sing Street and part of Lung Wo Road will be implemented from 2pm on November 10 to 6am on November 13.

Blocking screens were set up during the FIA Formula E Hong Kong ePrix held at Central harborfront between 2016 and 2018.

To be staged for the first time in Hong Kong, the two-day finale of the rallycross at the Central Harbourfront Event Space on November 11 and 12 will see over 20 events each day involving 10 overseas racers and 35 from Hong Kong, Macau and the mainland.

Leslie Wong, chief executive of organizer World RX (HK) Management, said the venue will be able to accommodate up to 8,000 spectators, with peak crowds expected in the afternoon.

Chief consultant Wesley Wan said the races are less risky compared to the Formula E races because of lower speed levels - with only five cars participating in each race - but they will not be completely risk-free.

Installation works of the grandstand, fences and other safety barriers along the race track started last night with some roads being closed in phases. The footpath and carriageway of Yiu Sing Street will be closed until November 16.

It is expected that the demolition work will be completed in phases by 6am on November 17.

Temporary traffic arrangements will also be made in Central, Admiralty and Wan Chai from 2pm on November 10. These include the slow lane of the Central-Wan Chai Bypass near the Central Exit being closed and the newly constructed road connecting Finance Street and the slip road of the bypass being opened.

Additionally, the Transport Department said 26 bus routes and three minibus routes will be affected, among which 14 bus routes passing through the Central Ferry Pier area will be diverted.

The department expects heavy traffic on the relevant roads and urged the public to avoid driving to the affected areas, and use public transport instead.

Senior transport officer Derek Fu Ting-hong said they will closely monitor the traffic situation and coordinate with public transport operators to disseminate timely information to the public.

Furthermore, some parking spaces at Yiu Sing Street, Lung Wo Road and Man Kwong Street will be temporarily suspended during the event.

Eric Chiu Chi-keung, chief inspector of Traffic Hong Kong Island, reminded motorists to park their vehicles in designated spots, and that during road closures vehicles parked illegally will be towed away without warning.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com