Motorsport in Fiji? How Passion Fuels Island Racing
Discover the unexpected world of Fijian motorsport. Highlighting the vibrant local motorsports community, the article explores Fiji's growing passion for motorsport, from grassroots drag racing to plans for a new world-class circuit, igniting a new era in Pacific Island sports.
‘Around The World with Kurt Hill Racing’ aims to shine a light on diverse nations’ motorsports communities no matter how old or new, and no matter how big or small. This week we are going to discover the unique world of Fijian motorsport.
When you think of motorsport you probably think of places like the United Kingdom, United States, France, or almost any country other than Fiji. The Pacific island nation is known worldwide as a pristine tropical oasis made up of over 300 islands and home to just under one million people. The nation is a choice tropical getaway for Australians, New Zealanders and even those from the US.
Like its close neighbours New Zealand the nation has a long and proud history with the sport of Rugby. Fiji is actually amongst the best in the world at the sport and they are ranked 10th in the world, one place behind Australia. They also have a generally proud sporting history with rising success in Basketball, Volleyball, and like many pacific nations they participate in outrigger paddling.
While the country is very competitive in many sports it is not competitive in motorsport. I conducted extensive research and could not find evidence of any drivers hailing from these pacific islands. In my research I came across some pleasantly surprising finds and also discovered that they have a very passionate motorsports community in the country.
Below we are going to take a look at what the Fijian motorsport community looks like, and what is ahead fro them in the future.
WHAT DOES FIJI’S MOTORSPORT INDUSTRY LOOK LIKE?
Finding out information has proven difficult but I can confirm that there are a couple of Facebook pages dedicated to motorsports in Fiji. These pages belong to the Fiji Motorsports Association and the Fiji Car Club. Both pages have a combined 20 thousand followers, so the community and interest in motorsports is of a high level. They post regularly about events and the interactions from its members is also very high.
Due to its strategic location Fiji and many other Pacific Island nations had air bases used by many countries including the US during World War 2 and the Vietnam war. Some of these airstrips now lay empty and disused, and as the country has no permanent racing facility it looks like these are home to many events.
The Fiji Car Club president’s name is Raizal Haniff, and he is doing an amazing job promoting the club to increase in the interest in the sport in Fiji. The countries main swapper ‘Fiji Sun’ features regular pieces about the clubs events.
WHAT EVENTS DO THEY HOLD?
The main events that they hold are 1/4 mile drag racing which are conducted on the airfields that I previously mentioned. Entered in the events are modified versions of regular road cars which are likely modified in one of the islands’ many auto shops. The turnout to these events is also significant with around 50+ entrants and sometimes over 500 spectators coming out to see these races.
Other events in Fiji also include car show runs or parades through the streets of its capitol city, Suva. The Fiji Car Club also puts very well organised car show where the locals and showcase their modified cars for onlookers to admire. Motorsport is still new and intriguing to many locals and so these events usually receive a great response from the local community.
NEW FACILITIES FOR GRASSROOTS MOTORSPORT
Earlier this year local businessman Kamal Singh opened a go-karting facility in the country (see picture above) after being inspired on a recent trip to New Zealand. It is the country’s first go-kart track and is doing an amazing job at providing locals an opportunity to experience motorsport for the first time. The track is open to the general public and does not yet hold any racing events, although I am sure as interest grows this is something on the horizon.
WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR FIJI MOTORSPORTS?
As reported by the ‘Fiji Sun’ newspaper, the government has expressed interest in developing a motorsports facility. From an outsider’s perspective, the Fijian government is interested in supporting the recreational interests of its locals. From what I am seeing there is enough interest to support a facility like this in the country and I am sure that the locals and neighbouring countries would support it. Early designs are taking inspiration from Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, so I am sure it will pique the interest of drivers both near and far.
The country currently does not have an affiliation with motorsport’s world governing body, the FIA. Should the construction of the new circuit go ahead and it be built to FIA standards then this will go a long way towards them gaining FIA membership. Fiji has a surprisingly large and active motorsports community and with all of its recent momentum, I am excited to watch them develop over the coming years.
