Baku World Challenge

International motorsport competition in Baku, Azerbaijan

Motor race

Baku World ChallengeBlancpain Sprint Series

First race| 2012
Last race| 2014
Laps| ca. 30
Duration| 1 hour
Previous names| City Challenge Baku (2012)
Baku World Challenge (2013–2014)
Most wins (driver)|  Laurens Vanthoor (2)
Most wins (team)|  Belgian Audi Club Team WRT (2)
Most wins (manufacturer)|  Audi (2)

The Baku World Challenge was an international motorsport competition in Baku, Azerbaijan, held on a temporary street circuit on closed public roads.

Baku World Challenge

Original Circuit (2012)

Location| Baku, Azerbaijan
Time zone| UTC+04:00
Coordinates| 40°23′43″N 49°52′56″E﻿ / ﻿40.39528°N 49.88222°E﻿ / 40.39528; 49.88222
Broke ground| October 12, 2012; 12 years ago (2012-10-12)
Opened| October 25, 2012; 12 years ago (2012-10-25)
Closed| November 2, 2014; 10 years ago (2014-11-02)
Former names| City Challenge Baku (2012)
Major events| Blancpain Sprint Series
(2013–2014)
Street Circuit (2014)
Surface| Asphalt
Length| 3.890 km (2.417 miles)
Turns| 13
Race lap record| 1:29.488 ( Laurens Vanthoor, Audi R8 LMS ultra, 2014, GT3)
Street Circuit (2013)
Surface| Asphalt
Length| 4.380 km (2.722 miles)
Turns| 13
Race lap record| 1:42.583 ( René Rast, Audi R8 LMS ultra, 2013, GT3)
Original Circuit (2012)
Surface| Asphalt
Length| 2.144 km (1.332 miles)
Turns| 14
Race lap record| 1:03.939 ( Sean Edwards, Porsche 911 GT3 R, 2012, GT3)

## History

[edit]

### 2012

[edit]

In 2012 (October 28), the City Challenge GmbH organized a stand-alone event for GT3-spec cars in Baku. It was called City Challenge Baku. The races were held on a 2.144 km (1.332 mi) street circuit around the Government House.[1][2] Gymkhana drifters and entertainment activities were the supporting program. According to the promoter, the event had 42,000 visitors.[3]

The street circuit in aerial view from left bottom

### 2013

[edit]

In 2013, the finale of the FIA GT Championship was held in Baku as Baku World Challenge. The series used a new street circuit close to the Baku Crystal Hall and the National Flag Square. It had a length of 4.380 km (2.722 mi). The event was organized by Jean-François Chaumont and the former Formula 1 driver Thierry Boutsen.[1][2]

### 2014

[edit]

In 2014, the last race of the Blancpain Sprint Series was held in Baku as Baku World Challenge.[4] The series used a new shortened circuit close to the Baku Crystal Hall and the National Flag Square. The circuit was shortened to 3.890 km (2.417 mi).[2] The event was closed following the announcement that Formula One would hold a street race in Baku from 2016.

## Winners

[edit]

Year  | Driver  | Constructor  | Team

|
|
|

2012  |  Frédéric Makowiecki
Stef Dusseldorp | McLaren MP4-12C GT3 | Hexis Racing
2013 |  Stéphane Ortelli
Laurens Vanthoor | Audi R8 LMS ultra | Belgian Audi Club Team WRT
2014 |  Laurens Vanthoor
César Ramos | Audi R8 LMS ultra | Belgian Audi Club Team WRT

## Lap records

[edit]

The official race lap records at the Baku World Challenge are listed as:

Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event

|
|
|
|

Street Circuit: 3.890 km (2014)[2]
GT3 | 1:29.488[5] | Laurens Vanthoor[6] | Audi R8 LMS ultra | 2014 Baku World Challenge
Street Circuit: 4.380 km (2013)[2]
GT3 | 1:42.583[7] | René Rast | Audi R8 LMS ultra | 2013 Baku World Challenge
Original Circuit: 2.144 km (2012)[2]
GT3 | 1:03.939[8] | Sean Edwards | Porsche 911 (997 II) GT3 R | 2012 City Challenge Baku

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Fabian Stein (November 20, 2013). "Wie die Challenge nach Baku kam". adrivo Sportpresse GmbH. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
2. ^ a b c d e f "Baku City Circuit – Racing Circuits". Racingcircuits.info. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
3. ^ "Overwhelming media coverage of Baku event". City Challenge GmbH. Archived from the original on March 3, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
4. ^ "Zolder round of the Blancpain GT Series postponed by a week". SRO Motorsports Group. January 13, 2014. Archived from the original on February 17, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
5. ^ "Blancpain Sprint Series Baku 2014". Racingsportscars. November 2, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
6. ^ "Blancpain GT Series – Sprint Cup Pro 2014 standings". Driver Database. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
7. ^ "Baku World Challenge 2013 FIA GT Series Result List Main Race – Official" (PDF). Blancpain Timing. November 24, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 10, 2013. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
8. ^ "Baku World Challenge 2013 FIA GT Series Result List Main Race – Official". Racingsportscars. October 28, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Official Baku World Challenge homepage

* v
* t
* e

GT World Challenge Europe circuits (2014–present)

Current (2025)|

| Endurance|

* Paul Ricard
* Spa-Francorchamps
* Nürburgring
* Monza
* Catalunya

|

Sprint|

* Brands Hatch
* Zandvoort
* Misano
* Magny-Cours
* Valencia

Former|

| Endurance|

* Imola
* Jeddah
* Silverstone

|

Sprint|

* Algarve
* Baku (World Challenge)
* Hockenheimring
* Hungaroring
* Moscow
* Nogaro
* Slovakia Ring
* Zolder

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