The Motor Sports Development Centre, which opened in the Başiskele district of Kocaeli province in north-western Turkey, was visited this week by Superbike World Champion Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, Turkish riders Deniz Öncü, Can Öncü and Bahattin Sofuoğlu, former motorcyclist Kenan Sofuoğlu and the well-known Turkish actor Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, who tested the new motorbike circuit.
The facilities, built by Başiskele Municipal Council in the Sepetlipınar neighbourhood, have previously hosted internationally renowned figures and leading representatives of motorsport and national motorcycling. During the visit, the actor and the motorcyclists had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the circuit layout – designed to international standards – and to ride around it, as well as to make their own technical assessments, emphasising that the complex will serve to meet the training needs not only of professional riders, but also of young people interested in the world of motorcycling, reported the Turkish news agency İHA.
Afterwards, the riders took to the track on motorbikes accompanied by actor Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, known for his passion for motorbikes. After completing several laps of the circuit, they all spoke highly of the experience and praised the facilities. “We would like to thank our President (Erdoğan) for making a facility like this available to everyone. Many young people have taken up motor racing with the dream of becoming riders. Having a circuit like this is a great opportunity for our young people. The track is really lovely and great fun,” said the three-time Superbike World Champion Toprak Razgatlıoğlu.
The Turkish actor Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ is a great fan of motorcycling and motor sports; although he took a break from high-speed racing for a while following the birth of his son Kurt Efe in 2022 – the fruit of his marriage to Turkish designer Başak Dizer – he has a personal collection ranging from classic-style motorbikes such as the Harley-Davidson to retro British models such as the Triumph Bonneville.
Some rumours in the Turkish press have suggested that Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ might even be preparing for a new film role involving action or high speed, perhaps even related to motorcycling. In fact, before becoming an icon of Turkish TV series, sport was his main profession – specifically basketball – until a knee injury whilst training with Beşiktaş cut short his career, leading him to pursue a career as a model and actor.
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Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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