GT1 World Chinese Double Round Confirmed

GT1 World Chinese Double Round Confirmed

The FIA, motorsport’s world governing body, has today confirmed that Round 9 of the FIA GT1 World Championship will be held at the Goldenport Park circuit in Beijing on 9 and 10 September, one week after the event at the Ordos International Circuit in Inner Mongolia. The race in Beijing will replace the event due to be held in Curitiba, Brazil on 21 – 23 October.

Stephane Ratel, CEO of the SRO Motorsports Group, said: “I am pleased that the second race in China has been confirmed by the FIA. The Chinese promoters have worked hard to ensure the facilities at the track meet the FIA standards so GT1 World can race there. The Chinese economy is the fastest growing economy in the world and a very important market for the manufacturers that are represented in GT1 this season and for the brands that will race with us in 2012 and beyond.

“The original date for the race in Brazil presented us with a number of difficulties, both for us as the promoters and for our teams; not least the expenses associated with a two-week gap between Curitiba and the race at San Luis in Argentina. We tried very hard to find a solution but external difficulties with moving the event back one week proved to be problematic. We were presented with the opportunity to have a second race in Beijing and this is the option we have chosen.

“Both races in China will showcase the GT1 World Championship brand to a completely new market,” Stephane Ratel continued. “The race at Goldenport will be one of the highlights of the 2011 season and everyone at SRO is looking forward to going to Beijing.”

Mr. Liu Yu, Chairman of Team China Racing, said: “It is great to have reached an agreement with SRO to promote the first FIA GT1 World championship race in Beijing. It will be the highest level of motor racing in the capital of China. Thanks to the support from Beijing Municipal Government and Ministry of Sports, all will ensure the quality of the racing event presented to Beijing motorsport fans. As our partner, Beijing International Sports Co. Ltd organised many major events in Beijing such as the Snooker World Championship, tennis, table tennis, etc. Now they move into motorsport and have the passion to promote international racing series in the Beijing region.

“We have been working very hard together to get everything organised, newly repaved circuit, new medical centre, advertising in the city, media contact, etc. we are waiting for all the GT1 cars and teams and welcome them to visit Beijing,” Mr Liu continued. “Motorsport fans here can’t wait for the exciting GT1 race on 9-10 September. To promote motorsport in Beijing, we planned a Road Demo in the fantastic Beijing Olympic Park venue, we are going to present all the GT1 cars on 11 September, right after the race day in Golden Port Circuit. GT1 cars will be running around beautiful Water Cube, over 250,000 visitors will get a close contact with the best GT cars in the world on site.”

As well as the two rounds in China, the final event of the FIA GT1 World Championship will once again take place in Argentina at the stunning Potrero de los Funes circuit near San Luis on the 4-6 November.

2011 FIA GT1 World Championship Calendar
26th March UAE Abu Dhabi
10th April Belgium Zolder
8th May Portugal Algarve
15th May Germany Sachsenring
5th June Great Britain Silverstone
3rd July Spain Navarra
17th July France Paul Ricard
4th September China Ordos
10th September China Beijing
6th November Argentina San Luis

Jeff Carter

Media Delegate,

FIA GT1 World Championship