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Zhuhai International Circuit

From Wikipedia - Reading time: 15 min
Zhuhai International Circuit
Zhuhai Circuit layout
LocationZhuhai, Guangdong, China
Time zoneUTC+08:00
Coordinates22°22′1.9″N 113°33′23″E / 22.367194°N 113.55639°E / 22.367194; 113.55639
FIA Grade2
OpenedNovember 1996; 28 years ago (1996-11)
ArchitectKinhill Engineers Pty Ltd
Major eventsCurrent:
Asia Road Racing Championship (2001–2002, 2004–2012, 2019, 2023–present)
Former:
Asian Le Mans Series
(2013, 2016–2017)
FIM EWC (2004)
TCR Asia (2017, 2019)
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (2006–2014, 2021)
Intercontinental Le Mans Cup 6 Hours of Zhuhai (2010–2011)
FIA GT (1999, 2004–2005, 2007)
BPR Global GT Series (1996)
A1 Grand Prix (2007)
Websitehttp://www.zic.com.cn/zicen
Full Circuit (1996–present)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length4.319 km (2.684 miles)
Turns14
Race lap record1:22.296 (France Franck Montagny, Peugeot 908 HDi FAP, 2010, LMP1)
The circuit from the main grandstand.
The final corner and the pit lane entrance.

Zhuhai International Circuit (ZIC) (simplified Chinese: 珠海国际赛车场; traditional Chinese: 珠海國際賽車場) is located at Jin Ding town in Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China.

Motorsport started in Zhuhai when it hosted a race on its street circuit in 1993. Racing continued there until 1996 when the motor racing circuit was constructed and became China's first permanent motor race track[1] with Formula One in mind.

The circuit was designed by Australian company Kinhill Engineers Pty Ltd, the same group which created the Formula One circuit in Adelaide. The project manager for the project was Michael McDonough.[2]

The first international race held at the circuit was the BPR Global GT Series. The circuit soon became the hotbed of local motorsports with teams from Hong Kong and Macau setting up their bases inside the circuit garages.

Track layout

[edit]

The original circuit contained 16 corners. But corners 7, 8 and 9 were eliminated and made into one corner, after a track change request from FIM.

The circuit is 4.319 km (2.684 mi) long and has 14 turns. 9 of them are right turns and 5 are left turns and the circuit runs clockwise only. The shorter straight is 0.500 km (0.311 mi) long. The longest straight is the start/finish straight which is 900 m (0.56 mi) long and 14 m (15 yd) wide at its widest.[1] Alexandre Imperatori, A1 Team Switzerland's rookie driver, suggested that there are many overtaking places in the circuit because of the combination of straights, hard braking areas for hairpins, tight corners, followed by and accelerating for long straights.[3] The most successful driver on the circuit is the best one who can manage their brake wear.[4] Zhuhai International Circuit is an FIA Grade II certified circuit.

Lap records

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The fastest qualifying lap ever at the circuit was 1:23.203, set by Michael Ammermüller on a Lola A1GP on the fourth round on December 16, 2007 during the 2007-08 A1 Grand Prix season. However, this is not considered the lap record since lap records are taken from racing laps and not qualifying.

The fastest unofficial lap ever at the circuit was set by a 2007 Panoz DP01 Champ Car on November 30, 2006. Driven by Roberto Moreno, it managed a lap of 1:23.612 during a demonstration run.

Russian Age Racing's Aston Martin DBR9 at ZIC.

The fastest unofficial GT1 lap time is set by Porsche 911 GT1 with Porsche AG team in 1996 4 Hours of Zhuhai. The time was 1:30.401.[5]

The fastest unofficial lap ever on a motorcycle was set at a Pan Delta 1000cc Superbike race, taken by splitlath team. Winning all 6 races, Splitlath rider Mark Aitchison smashed the ZIC Superbike lap record 1:33.725 on an EBR RS 1190

Race lap records

[edit]

As of October 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Zhuhai International Circuit are listed as:[6]

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event
Grand Prix Circuit: 4.319 km (1996–present)
LMP1 1:22.296[6][7] Franck Montagny Peugeot 908 HDi FAP 2010 1000 km of Zhuhai
A1GP 1:24.418 Neel Jani Lola A1GP 2007–08 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Zhuhai, China
LMP2 1:28.308[6][8] Thomas Laurent Oreca 05 2017 4 Hours of Zhuhai
Formula Renault 3.5 1:30.529[6] Marchy Lee Tatuus FRV6 2006 Zhuhai Formula V6 Asia round
LMP3 1:30.883[6][8] Josh Burdon Ligier JS P3 2017 4 Hours of Zhuhai
GT1 (GTS) 1:31.691[6][9] Pedro Lamy Ferrari 550-GTS Maranello 2005 FIA GT Zhuhai Supercar 500
GT1 1:31.749[10] Yannick Dalmas Porsche 911 GT1 1996 4 Hours of Zhuhai
Superbike 1:32.495[11] Zaqhwan Zaidi Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade 2023 Zhuhai ARRC round
LMPC 1:32.948[6][7] Shan Qi Zhang Oreca FLM09 2010 1000 km of Zhuhai
Formula Renault 2.0 1:33.753[12] Joey Alders Tatuus FR2.0/13 2019 3rd Zhuhai Asian Formula Renault round
GT2 (GTS) 1:33.761[13] Olivier Beretta[a]
Sascha Maassen[a]		 Chrysler Viper GTS-R[a]
Porsche 911 GT2[a]		 1999 FIA GT Zhuhai 500km
GT3 1:34.055[6][14] Frédéric Vervisch Ferrari 488 GT3 2016 4 Hours of Zhuhai
LM GTE 1:34.815[6][15] Uwe Alzen BMW M3 GT2 2011 6 Hours of Zhuhai
GT2 1:35.529[7] Toni Vilander Ferrari F430 GTC 2010 1000 km of Zhuhai
Supersport 1:36.870[16] Khairul Idham Pawi Honda CBR600RR 2023 Zhuhai ARRC round
N-GT 1:37.314[17] Christian Pescatori Ferrari 360 Modena GTC 2004 FIA GT Zhuhai 500km
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:37.687[18] Earl Bamber Porsche 911 (991 I) GT3 Cup 2013 Zhuhai Porsche Carrera Cup Asia round
Formula 4 1:39.678[19] Yuhao Fu Mygale M21-F4 2024 Zhuhai Chinese F4 round
FIA GT Group-2 1:40.132[9] Bas Leinders Gillet Vertigo Streiff 2005 FIA GT Zhuhai Supercar 500
Asian Formula 2000 1:41.450[20] Asif Nazir Argo Formula Asia 2001 Zhuhai Asian Formula 2000 round
Formula BMW 1:41.455[21] Jazeman Jaafar Mygale FB02 2007 Zhuhai Formula BMW Asia round
Super Touring 1:43.299[22] Kasikam Suphot [ja] Nissan Primera 1998 2nd Zhuhai SEATCZC round
TCR Touring Car 1:44.159[6][23] Luca Engstler Hyundai i30 N TCR 2019 Zhuhai TCR Asia round
Super 2000 1:49.839[24] Henry Lee Junior Peugeot 306 GTi 2000 2nd Zhuhai ATCC round
Asia Production 250 1:50.528[25] Muklada Sarapuech Honda CBR250RR 2023 Zhuhai ARRC round
Asia Underbone 150 1:59.920[26] Ahmad Fazrul Sham Yamaha Z150R 2023 Zhuhai ARRC round

Event list

[edit]
Current
Former

Event organizer

[edit]

Zhuhai International Circuit Co Ltd was also a prominent motorsport event organizer and promoter in China. It organized and promoted the FIA GT Championship in China and in 2007, it also signed a contract with China Motorcycle Sports Association to promote the inaugural China Superbike Championship.

Races

[edit]

National races

[edit]

Zhuhai International Circuit was the promoter of the China Superbike Championship, established in 2007 and sanctioned by the China Motorcycle Sports Association, CMSA.

ZIC also organizes the Circuit Hero and Circuit Hero GT race series, which allows citizens of the People's Republic of China to participate.

HTCC and MTCC

[edit]
Paul Poon leads Kenneth Look in the rain at ZIC during a Hong Kong Touring Car Championship race.

The Hong Kong Touring Car Championship and the Macau Touring Car Championship both run the majority of their races at ZIC since they began.

Asian races

[edit]

The Asian Festival of Speed was held at the circuit from October 20, 2006 to October 22, 2006, when a record 33,000 people turned up to watch the races.

AFOS has been held at the circuit many times since its inception in 1994.

The Asian Formula Three Championship is also hosted by the circuit in 2002, 2005–2008.

In addition, the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship race at ZIC regularly in 2001–2002, 2004–2012, 2019, 2023.

Formula One ambitions

[edit]

ZIC was included in the provisional 1999 F1 calendar, but the circuit subsequently lost its place in the calendar after failing to meet the international standards set by the FIA.[27][28] F1 subsequently raced in Shanghai International Circuit.

Endurance World Championship

[edit]

In May 2004, the Endurance World Championship Zhuhai 6 Hours race was held at the circuit. This was the first time an international motorcycle race was held at the circuit. [29] The race was won by GMT 94 Racing.[30]

FIA GT Championship

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Maseratis leading the FIA GT Championship race at Zhuhai in 2004.

In 1997, the circuit hosted a race in the inaugural FIA GT Championship. It hosted further races in the series in 1999, 2004, 2005 and 2007. The 2007 event was postponed from October 2006 to March 2007, in order to avoid a clash with the Shanghai F1 Grand Prix in early October and the Macau Grand Prix in the middle of November. The race was won by All-Inkl.com racing's Lamborghini Murciélago R-GT, driven by Christophe Bouchut and Stefan Mucke. GT2 class was won by AF Corse's Ferrari F430 GT2, with Dirk Müller and Toni Vilander at the wheel.

A1 Grand Prix

[edit]
See also: 2007-08 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Zhuhai, China
A1 Team China racing at Zhuhai International Circuit in the 2007 A1GP race at ZIC.

Zhuhai International Circuit staged the fourth round of the 2007-08 A1 Grand Prix season on December 16, 2007. The Sprint race was won by Michael Ammermüller of Team Germany and the Feature race was won by Narain Karthikeyan of Team India. On October 13, 2009, Executive Deputy General Manager of Zhuhai International Circuit, Stewart Tan, said he welcomed A1 Grand Prix's return to the circuit for November 15, 2009.[31] However, the series had more races cancelled, with an announcement made on 5 November 2009 stating that races in China and Malaysia were not taking part.[32]

Le Mans Intercontinental Cup

[edit]
Intercontinental Le Mans Cup race start at ZIC.

The 2010 1000 km of Zhuhai was held at the circuit in November 2010, forming a round of the 2010 Le Mans Intercontinental Cup.[33] In November 2011, the circuit hosted the 2011 6 Hours of Zhuhai, the finale of the 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup season.

Super GT ambitions

[edit]

In 2004, the GT Association, the organizer of Super GT, announced on 23 May that an All-Star race in China, scheduled for 4 to 6 October at ZIC.[34] But on 5 August 2004, JGTC announced that the race was cancelled, for reasons related to the Chinese organizer.[35]

Champ Car

[edit]

A multi year deal was announced in 2006 that brought one of the American racing series to China. On 30 November 2006, Roberto Moreno made history as he took the 2007 DP01 Champ Car on track at the Zhuhai Circuit, marking the first time a Champ Car had run in China.[36]

Then the series had problems with its promoter, which settled in a court in the US, and was replaced. The new promoter did not have enough time to organize the race on the original May date and so the race was provisionally moved to October 2007. When the series failed to get F.I.A. approval for the October date the 2007 race was cancelled. The series was looking to race in Zhuhai for the 2008 season until the unification with Indy Racing League but most of the speculation had died down.

Ownership

[edit]

On 2 October 2003, Dragon Hill Corporation Ltd, part of LBS Bina Group, exercised its option to buy Lamdeal Investment Ltd, which is involved in managing Zhuhai International Circuit Ltd (ZICL), for US$1. LBS managing director, Datuk Lim Hock San said LBS believed in the potential of the ZIC circuit land, adding the acquisition "has come at an appropriate time. Upon completion of the exercise of the option, Dragon Hill will hold 100% of the entire issued and paid-up share capital of Lamdeal and Lamdeal will own 60% of ZICL," he said. [37]

Track rentals

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Since 2005, the circuit has become a hive of track activities, with a large number of auto-related launches and events held at the circuit, as the battle for car sales in China heats up. Auto dealers and manufacturers try to lure more customers by allowing them to drive freely on the track and pampering them off it.

Karting

[edit]
ZIC Kart Circuit.

A kart circuit was added to the ZIC facility in 2004.

In 2011, Sunny Racing Club[38] was established. The club uses a one make Sunny Kart chassis and 2-stroke 100cc Yamaha engine.

Simulations

[edit]

GTR2 has the circuit simulated based on the 2004 FIA GT Championship season. The circuit has also been simulated on the racing simulator Project CARS. In March 2018, the track was released for Raceroom Racing Experience.

Transportation

[edit]
When Tangjiawan Station of the Guangzhu MRT opens in 2012, visitors will have direct rail access to the ZIC.

The ZIC has a bus stop which is served by routes 3, 3A, 10, 10A, 66, 68 and 69 of the Zhuhai bus network.

It is also served by the Guangzhou–Zhuhai Intercity Mass Rapid Transit, as Tangjiawan Station is within walking distance of the circuit's west grandstand.

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d Both drivers took the same lap time independently.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Zhuhai wins place on calendar". a1gp.com. 2007-08-01. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
  2. ^ "F1 track under starter's orders". SCMP. 1993-11-12. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
  3. ^ "Zhuhai to provide overtaking feast". a1gp.com. 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  4. ^ "Braking set to be key in China". a1gp.com. 2007-12-14. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  5. ^ "Zhuhai 4 Hours 1996 - All Session Laps - Racing Sports Cars".
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Zhuhai Fastest Lap Comparison". Archived from the original on 27 February 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "2010 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup Zhuhai". 7 November 2010. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  8. ^ a b "2017-2018 4 Hours of Zhuhai - Best laptimes per driver" (PDF). 29 October 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  9. ^ a b "2005 FIA GT Championship Round Zhuhai". 23 October 2005. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  10. ^ "1996 Zhuhai FIA GT". Motor Sport Magazine. 3 November 1996. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  11. ^ "2023 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship Round 5 - Zhuhai International Racing Circuit, China - ASB 1000cc - Race 2 Official Result" (PDF). 4 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  12. ^ "2019 Asian Formula Renault Series - Race 2 - Official Classification- 8 December 2019" (PDF). 8 December 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  13. ^ "FIA GT Championship Zhuhai 1999". 28 November 1999. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  14. ^ "2016-2017 4 Hours of Zhuhai - Best laptimes per driver" (PDF). 30 October 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  15. ^ "2011 6 Hours of Zhuhai - Final Classification by Class" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). 13 November 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  16. ^ "2023 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship Round 5 - Zhuhai International Racing Circuit, China - Supersports 600cc - Race 2 Official Result" (PDF). 5 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  17. ^ "2004 FIA GT Championship Round Zhuhai". 14 November 2004. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  18. ^ "Bamber takes second victory to lead championship" (PDF). 5 May 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  19. ^ Wood, Ida (21 October 2024). "Yuhao Fu wins twice, Oscar Pedersen takes Chinese F4 title at Zhuhai". Formula Scout. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  20. ^ "2001 Asian F2000 Round 5: Zhuhai, China 20-21 October 2001 Race 1". 21 October 2001. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  21. ^ "Zahir Ali wins Driver Classification, while Mitchell takes Rookie Cup in Formula BMW Asia". 4 November 2007. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  22. ^ "South East Asia Touring Car Zone Challenge 1998 Round 9 Results: Asian Festival of Speed, Zhuhai, China October 24th-25th, 1998". 25 October 1998. Archived from the original on 14 May 2001. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  23. ^ "TCR Asia 2019 » Zhuhai International Circuit Round 3 Results". 3 May 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  24. ^ "Asian Touring Car Championship 2000 Round 13 Results: Asian Festival of Speed, Zhuhai International Circuit, China November 5th., 2000". 5 November 2000. Archived from the original on 14 May 2001. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  25. ^ "2023 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship Round 5 - Zhuhai International Racing Circuit, China - Asia Production 250cc - Race 1 Official Result" (PDF). 4 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  26. ^ "2023 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship Round 5 - Zhuhai International Racing Circuit, China - Underbone 150cc - Race 1 Official Result" (PDF). 4 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  27. ^ "An introduction to the Chinese Grand Prix". Archived from the original on 2007-07-03. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
  28. ^ "A change for the good?". ESPN UK.
  29. ^ "City gets motor sport world championship". zhet.gov.cn. n.d. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  30. ^ "Endurance, riders and teams". fimendurance.com. n.d. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  31. ^ "A1GP to return to Zhuhai". a1gp.com. 2009-10-13. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
  32. ^ Vince Pettit (2009-11-05). "A1GP – The final nail in the coffin?". thecheckeredflag.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-11-05.
  33. ^ ACO expands Le Mans Intercontinental Cup 11th June 2010 Autosport.com
  34. ^ "All Star Race announced for China and USA". supergt.net. 2004-05-26. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  35. ^ "Zhuhai Event Cancelled". supergt.net. 2004-09-02. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  36. ^ "Champ cars to hit Zhuhai track next year". peopledaily.com.cn. 2006-12-01. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  37. ^ "LBS exercises option to buy Zuhai Int'l Circuit for US$1". The Star (Malaysia). 2 October 2013.
  38. ^ "SUNNY Racing Club 陽光賽車會 - sunnyracing.com". July 29, 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-07-29.
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