Motor racing-Korean circuit now 90 percent complete

LONDON Aug 30 (Reuters) - South Korea's new Formula One circuit is 90 percent complete and will stage its inaugural event next weekend with Indian driver Karun Chandhok at the wheel of a Red Bull, local promoters said on Monday.

The newest circuit on the calendar, designed by German architect Hermann Tilke, is due to host the country's first grand prix on Oct. 24 at the Yeongam facility.

There has been concern in the Formula One community about whether the circuit will be ready on time, with some recently published photographs suggesting there was plenty of work to be done.

The Korea Auto Valley Operation (KAVO) released new images on Monday showing the race control building and a fresh layer of asphalt.

KAVO said the "Circuit Run 2010" next weekend would also include car and motorcycle events.

Championship leading Red Bull are sponsored by South Korean-based electronics giant LG and team boss Christian Horner told Reuters the car to be used was a very different specification to the V8-powered RB6.

"It's our running show car, not a current car," he said. "It's still got a V10 engine in it. Karun will be driving it as a former Red Bull junior as all our drivers and juniors all have commitments.

"I'm sure that they (the organisers) will deliver on time...I think they should be in good shape."

Formula One race director Charlie Whiting will visit the Korean circuit for a final inspection on his way to the Singapore Grand Prix next month, the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) said.

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Justin Palmer; To query or comment on this story email: sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)