Taiwan Sophisticated Autodrome

By John Matthews Translated by Annie Liu

2-1, DaCyaoTou, CyanJin Li, Pingtung City
(08) 766-6999 FAX: (08) 751-8879
www.tsamotor.com

If you're looking for something different, you'll find it at Taiwan Sophisticated Autodrome - a 1.7km race track complete with hairpin turns, straight-ways and high octane fueled turbo custom racing machines. The cars that come here to race on a typical Saturday night are an excellent mix of 'THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS' and 'INITIAL D'.
The racetrack is unique in Taiwan, where driver and car can test their skills, post fast times or just impress the huge crowds. The facility, operated by a man named Titan, started four years ago from a relatively storied past. It began after law enforcement officials banned racing and custom retro-fitted racing-type cars from Kaohsiung's city streets and other urban areas for public safety concerns.
From Sunday to Friday entrance to the track is NT$100 per person and on Saturdays entry is NT$200. Anyone with a car and enough guts can pay NT$100 per car entry fee and NT$200 per occupant in the vehicle. Saturday is the time to go (9 p.m. - 3 a.m.) and watch out for fully modified Subarus, Hondas or Mitsubishis racing in any number of categories (the one lap race or the 'freestyle' D1). Watch from the stands or head down to the pit if you can tolerate the smell of burning rubber. You could even score a ride in one of the cars if there is an empty seat available.
From Kaohsiung head east on JiouRu to Highway 1. Take the first exit on your right immediately after the Pingtung bridge and turn left at the lights at the bottom of the ramp. About 400m from that, look out for the entrance on your left. The track has a cafeteria offering the usual mix of fast food and drinks and full washroom facilities. The track also advertises a good relationship with local hospital and emergency facilities and each entrance ticket includes a disclaimer to any loss or injury incurred from the stands or on the track.