13/10/2006
NEWS STORY
The General Administration of Sports China (GASC), Automobile & Motorcycle Sports Administration Centre and A1Team China have announced at a press conference in Beijing that the third race of A1GP World Cup of Motorsport 2006/07 season will take place at the Jingkai Convention and Exhibition Centre in Beijing's Economic and Technological Development Zone and the streets surrounding Beijing's North East Ring Road. The race, which is scheduled to take place on 10-12 November 2006, has been approved by GASC and the Beijing Municipal government.
The press conference was attended by Mr. Yu Zaiqing, Deputy Director of GASC, and leaders and guests from Beijing's Municipal government, the Sports Contest Administration Centre of Beijing General Administration of Sports, the Beijing Economic and Technological Development Zone, A1GP World Cup of Motorsport and additional partners of A1GP.
The circuit for the race was designed by the Shanghai Municipal Planning Design Institute and approved by the FIA. The 3.08km circuit is barricaded by a concrete wall and fencing around 7,000m in length, while the main hall of the Jingkai Convention and Exhibition Centre will be used for the reception and the pit garage. Temporary grandstands will be built to hold over 25,000 spectators.
The success of A1GP at Beijing's street circuit will have a significant impact on the internalization of Chinese Motorsport and the Beijing Olympics economy. The businesses related to hosting international sporting events have become a new growth area for Beijing's economy and the city has set a long-term plan to host major, high-profile racing events to establish itself as a centre of international sports to realise sustainable growth in the post-Olympics economic period. At the same time the race will fill a gap in Beijing's sports industry and will make an important and lasting impact on the future economic growth of Beijing.
A1GP Beijing is approved by GASC and Beijing municipal government and enjoys the full support of various related organizations, including the Beijing Economic and Technological Development Zone. A1GP also has the following strategic partners: Beijing Traffic Radio Station, Sinopec East Sea Asphalt Company, BTV, CCTV Sports Channel, CITIC Bank, Youth Times, Great Wall Lubricating Oil Group and International Sports Co., Ltd.