| Author | Message | ||
| Andrew H (Stokpro)
Junior Member Username: Stokpro Post Number: 80 Registered: 6-2003 |
I was in Shanghai last October and look forward to being there Oct. 10th 2004 for the first Shanghai GP. If the new Chinese F1 team proves anything like their space program, biotechnology and/or business in exports... look out Ferrari, Williams, and McLarens. | ||
| Jack (Gilles27)
Intermediate Member Username: Gilles27 Post Number: 1210 Registered: 3-2002 |
The Bahrain circuit to me looks like a bit like A-1. Shanghai could be a decent track. Looks like some good switchbacks and kinks. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1630 Registered: 10-2002 |
Cool, Minardi will now only be in the second to last row...  I take the Chinese serious (watch their Space program later this year), but without a car manufacturing/racing background, this will be though. | ||
| Anthony_Ferrari (Anthony_ferrari)
Member Username: Anthony_ferrari Post Number: 341 Registered: 11-2002 |
The Chinese are obviously serious about F1: "22 and 23 on the grid could soon belong to a Chinese team if reports prove accurate. It's understood that plans are in progress for the formation of a Chinese F1 team that would take on the likes of McLaren, Ferrari, WilliamsF1 and Renault. According to Yu Zhifei, deputy general manager of Shanghai International Circuit Co (SIC), which will host its first GP next year, China intends to get more involved with F1 than merely running a Grand Prix. "The team's start-up marks the first step in our efforts to more closely link Chinese racing sports to the international racing community behind F1," he told China Daily. It's understood that a deal was signed yesterday whereby Singapore-based Grandtour Tyre will provide $9m in a joint venture with Guangdong-based Formula Racing Development Ltd (FRD). SIC will be responsible for marketing the team while FRD, already an established racing team, will cultivate promising Chinese drivers. Of course while F1 needs more teams it remains to be seen whether this venture will ever truly get off the ground, especially if they're starting from scratch. As China becomes part of the F1 calendar, teams and sponsors will be looking (with sweaty open palms) at the many possible deals that could soon be on the table. Meanwhile it's rumoured that Eddie Jordan, whose team signed a "ground breaking" partnership with Chinese broadcaster CCTV earlier this year, is in China this week ostensibly looking at the progress being made with regards the new circuit." | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1627 Registered: 10-2002 |
Taek-Ho, have you figured out what direction they drive in Shanghai? I would assume "North" towards the long right hander. The graph is missing the arrow. Cool that you know some of the investors. It might get you some VIP tickets one day, who knows. I wonder, whether they'll be able to sell the tickets. Shanghai is very western like and we know, that the Japanese adore F1, so maybe they fill them up. Malaysia OTOH has traditionally some poor showings. | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Intermediate Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 1784 Registered: 11-2002 |
Andreas, I know a couple of behind the scenes folks who have invested heavily in the Shanghai track. I think the project is projected at somewhere around 250MM USD (don't think that takes into account land value). The track is supposed to be a representation of a Chinese character or something. Not exactly sure which one or what it stands for. Cool link! I've been anxiously waiting to see it! Cheers | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1626 Registered: 10-2002 |
Oh btw: Click on Projects, then Race Tracks. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1625 Registered: 10-2002 |
Check out www.tilke.de. This is the architect responsible for the newer F1 tracks. For better or worse. Interestingly they show the layout, photos and renderings of the new Bahrain and Shanhai tracks. What do you think of those? I'm not too thrilled about Bahrain, looks like based on Barcelona with some go-kart corners from Hungary thrown in for good measure. However Shanghai I thought looked very interesting and promising. And check out the renderings. Those grandstands deserve the grand! |