Yas Marina Circuit is not just a Formula One Grand Prix venue but a glitzy entertainment centre for racing fans around the world.
“Now we are bringing the people to the (Yas) island. We have the hotels, Ferrari theme park and the golf links. Soon we will have a Warner Brothers Park. It will be like a meeting place for entertainment and business,” said the Chief Executive Officer of Yas Marina Circuit Richard Cregan looking back at what they have achieved within a short space of time.
The Ferrari World has supplemented the Yas Marina Circuit which stages the only twilight F1 race of the season. “These various attractions will bring people to the island and basically maximise the benefits for the Yas Marina Circuit and take the message out there that we are open if you want to come and have the race experience. If you want to have all of these things you can do it here,” he said.
“We have the driving school, kids park, the karting zone and lots of things for everybody from eight years of age to no end. So we can provide great entertainment. We have Ferrari World. It becomes a package. People can come here for lots of activities,” said Cregan.
As the 2010 Etihad Airways F1 Grand Prix reached a climax on Sunday, Cregan looked back with pride at their monumental achievements.
“To have the championship decider here in Abu Dhabi is just fantastic. We have an opportunity on Sunday I believe to see the crowning of the world champion at our circuit which is a momentous occasion and also we will be very interested in seeing the TV viewing figures for tomorrow (Sunday). I believe there will be huge support from around the world to see the race itself,” said Cregan beaming with pride.
Unlike this year, the Irishman’s life was hectic when the track was being readied for the inaugural race. “I think it’s a very different situation because last year we were trying to build the circuit and build an organisation and then stage a Grand Prix all at one time. This year we have been able to dedicate more time to the customer experience and making sure that there is plenty of value added to the tickets,” he said.
This year they have been able to add more entertainment in the Oasis areas, more family fun and then just generally giving everybody a good experience on the weekend.
“The biggest difference is probably the entertainment side and then of course our team has been operating for more than a year and they are more confident and I think that shows in the way the event has been organised,” he said.
“This year we have been able to dedicate more time to the customer experience and making sure that there is plenty of value added to the tickets this year.
“We have increased the size of the main Oasis area and we have added three more Oasis area for entertainment. There is one at the north stand, there is one at the West and one at the South and one at the main grand stand. Then we have added the Kart zone and 800 metres full size karting track so that has gone very well. Generally we have improved many other things like the signage, traffic flows,” he explained.
Every little detail especially the safety aspect has been improved following an accident at turn eight during a GT race though not under compulsion by FIA, the sport’s governing body. “We increased the length of the run off area. Even though the circuit was perfectly okay from the FIA view, we felt that it was possible to improve so we decided to improve. We are always striving to increase the safety limits. It is a very important thing for us that we make the circuit as safe as possible for the drivers and spectators. It’s been extended by 10 metres. It was not required by the FIA, but we felt that it would help the safety levels,” he said.
But Cregan is a man who is not going to rest on his laurels although being rewarded with the FIA award for the best circuit last season.
“When we got that prize from the FIA it was a huge reward for all of the hard work that everybody did in the team and all of the stakeholders in Abu Dhabi and the support we had from Dubai and basically all across from the emirates. The support and good feeling of having one good Grand Prix of the year. It was a very good recognition of the hard work and the excellent event,” he said.
“I think probably I’m never satisfied because I’m always striving to be better and better. I’m very satisfied that we have a great team of people here and we have a great community around the circuit in terms of all of people who help us. For me to have a passion and job like this I can’t ask for more,” said Cregan who worked for Toyota for 24 years, beginning as a racing mechanic and then rising to general manager and then team manager of the company’s F1 operation.
The recent praise of Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone who said he would love to see Yas Marina circuit hold the race forever has been another huge boost. “When you have somebody like Bernie Eccelstone telling you that it’s a great track, it’s a huge boost for the team and a complete endorsement of what has been created here at the Yas Marina circuit,” Cregan said.
Asked whether holding the F1 Grand Prix was financially viable, he said: “Absolutely. If you look at the returns the global exposure that has been there for the Abu Dhabi and I think that has been huge. So I think in terms of global awareness it has been very successful.”
There are also plans to bring Moto GP to Abu Dhabi. “We are working on that for 2012. It’s not confirmed yet but we are working on that with MotoGP. The circuit may have to have some work on the curves but this is normal,” Cregan said.
But getting the community involved more is their ultimate objective. “The community involvement has been amazing especially the stakeholders here and basically all of the organisations including the support we get from Aldar and Mubadala. They help us ensuring that we get the help of the community in anything we do. That’s very rewarding. I think what we need to do is expand the support to the complete emirates. That’s what we are going to do from now on to build the fan base for motor sport,” he said.
He is aware that they are in competition with football and cricket. “But I believe that we are building motorsport especially something like drag racing where we have a new programme called U Me Yas. So it’s like a challenge. We got Yas and we race our cars. This is something very good to actually build a bond with the community to get people to come here because this is the track created for the people of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. So we have to create products that will bring people here,” he said.
Talking about their future programmes, he said; “We have the kart zone open. We have to work hard on that. The next big one is obviously the winter programme which is very heavy for us since we have lot of events. Basically we have events every weekend. FIA GT1s, GP2 and lots of drag racing.”
They also have plans to start a karting championship with Al Ain. “So there are a lot of things we will be doing at the community level. Also we open up the track every Tuesday night for running and cycling. So we want to make this a community track available for the people and that’s very important,” said Cregan.
The fact that Yas Marina is staging the title deciding race is another bonus for Cregan. “I think it’s been one of the best seasons in Formula one. To have the championship decider here is just fantastic,” he said.
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