Way before the Sepang International Circuit was around, the racing circuit of choice for Singaporean petrolheads was the Johor Circuit or J Circuit as it is called today.

Featuring a twisty 3.86km long track with 12 challenging turns and numerous changes in elevation, this was where many of our country's top race drivers got their start in the motor racing careers.

Built in 1986, it used to hold national races for both cars and motorcycles, as well as international races including the illustrious MotoGP in 1998.

Today, the circuit and its facilities are a pale shadow of their former selves. The track surface has worn down, the kerbs have faded and the gravel traps are overgrown with weeds and lallang (tall grass).

Even the pit building and control tower have seen better days with paint peeling off the walls and loose wires dangling from the ceilings.

It was after a visit to the J Circuit last month that I suddenly had a brainwave.

Instead of waiting for the arrival of the Changi Motorsports Hub (CMH), someone or 'someones' should buy over the circuit and thoroughly renovate it.

I spoke to the circuit manager and he said that "it's going to cost about RM$2 million" to make it almost 'new'.

For all of you forex newbies, that's slightly more than 800,000 Singapore dollars. That's all?

This is 0.4% of the estimated cost to build the CMH i.e. the CMH costs 250 times more.

There is NO way that the CMH is going to be 250 times or for that matter, 25 times, better than a newly-refurbished J Circuit.

Sure you need to go through the hassle of passing through customs and there is also the matter of the drive (about an hour from the main causeway if traffic is light) but surely these are minor inconveniences.

Well, if anyone out there thinks that my idea is not (too) crazy, visit www.johorcircuit.com.my and drop them a line. And if you need help with re-naming the circuit, let me know, the Torque team of editors are great with names.

I leave you with a few images of Singaporeans in action at this truly iconic circuit.

The starting grid with Ah Keong of N2CS in pole position in his Honda Civic EK racecar.

The winners' podium with Yokohama driving ace, Brian Whillock on the top step. Ah Keong claimed third place.

That's Brian Whillock on pole in his all-conquering Toyota Levin racecar.

Ah Keong in his Honda Civic EF overtaking another Civic EF at the very last corner. Great move!

(Photos courtesy of N2CS - thank you Ah Keong)

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