Report: Johor Govt Seeks To Reopen Pasir Gudang Circuit

The Pasir Gudang Circuit (Johor Circuit) photographed back in 2015. (Source: Flickr)

Earlier this week, local newswire Bernama reported that the Johor state government is mulling plans to reopen to long dormant Pasir Gudang Circuit (also known as the Johor Circuit). The facility was first built in 1986, but has been closed and left relatively unused since 2016.

Plans to reopen the circuit, once famed amongst southern motorsports enthusiasts, were mooted by Johor State Youth, Sports Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah, and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafizi Ghazi.

Undated aerial photograph view of the Pasir Gudang Circuit. The facility has been closed since 2016, but plans to reopen it are being mooted by members of the Johor state government. (Source: Facebook)

Both said they intend on seeking an audience with the regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, and present their plans to reopen the circuit. Key to their pitch would be the facility’s main role as a training base for the newly formed Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) Racing Team.

Set to enter and compete in the premier ASB1000 class of the 2024 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, the team was established last Oct is led by former Malaysian Moto2, MotoGP and WSBK star Hafizh Syahrin. He is set to race for the team aboard a Ducati Panigale V4R.

The formation of the JDT Racing Team last Oct led by former Moto2, MotoGP and WSBK star Hafizh Syahrin has spurred rumours about the Pasir Gudang Circuit's possible reopening.

The same rumours were also fuelled by the recent exploits of the Johor Motorsport Racing (JMR) team in international GT racing led by Prince Jefri Ibrahim, Tunku Paglima Johor.

With said team’s establishment, many have asked about the Pasir Gudang circuit, said Mohd Hairi. However, upon reevaluation, the cost of repairs and refurbishment were found to be relatively high. Nevertheless, rumours of the circuit’s reopening continue to persist.

Additionally, renewed interest for the circuit’s reopening were fuelled further by the recent exploits of the Johor Motorsport Racing (JMR) team in the world of GT racing led by Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ibrahim – better known as Prince Jefri Ibrahim.

“Insya Allah, the Menteri Besar and I will seek an audience with Tunku Mahkota Ismail for his consideration,” said Mohd Hairi to reporters earlier this week in response to said rumours. He also hopes for the circuit’s reopening to spur a wave of renewed motorsport activities in the region.

An on-board look at the Pasir Gudang Circuit's layout, which was both fast and technical, making it a favourite missed by plenty of enthusiasts.

Moreover, Mohd Hairi also expressed his hopes for the reopened Pasir Gudang Circuit to stand as a preferred venue for enthusiasts. Such was the case not too long ago, especially in the era prior to the opening of the recently rebranded Petronas Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

Historically, the Pasir Gudang Circuit (Johor Circuit) has hosted plenty of top-tier international and regional level racing events throughout the years. It also served to foster local grassroots motorsports right up until it was closed in 2016. Many from this scene have long pushed for its reopening.