Zhuhai 2007 event launched

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2007
ZHUHAI 2007 LAUNCHED WITH SUCCESSFUL CONFERENCE

The 2007 season of the FIA GT Championship got underway in Zhuhai on October 20th, with a press conference and display to launch the race, which will start the new season in March next year.

To officially announce this prestigious 2007 event, the Zhuhai International Circuit had invited guests from China and abroad to gather at the Holiday Inn Zhuhai on Saturday, October 20th 2006. Guests included Xian Tong Chun, Director of Automobile Sport Dept of FASC.; Zhuhai Municipal Government leader; Mr. Stephane Ratel, Chairman of SRO (FIA GT Championship Promoter) and Mr. Wang Jian Hua, Senior Deputy General Manager of Frestech Electrical Appliances.

In a celebration revolving around Chinese symbolism, Chinese knots, Chinese traditional music, the links between the FIA GT Championship and China were commemorated. From the start, GT established strong ties with China. Upon ZIC's creation, in 1996, the BPR GT Global endurance series came to race in China. In 1999, the FIA GT established a China Round race and became the first FIA Championship to race at a Chinese racing circuit. In 2004 and 2005, FIA GT returned to China, fully sensing the vibrant country's energy.

The 2007 FIA GT Championship race in Zhuhai will be is presented by Frestech Electrical Appliances. Frestech designs, produces and markets high quality appliances. While linking its products to the FIA GT Championship, Frestech is making a strong statement about their reliability, quality and unique image.

During the press conference, Stephane Ratel spoke of his delight at returning to the People's Republic of China for the fourth time. "After the success of the last two events, acclaimed by the organisers, the teams, the press and all concerned, it is with great pleasure that we are heading back to the Zhuhai International Circuit, where we will start the 2007 season. Moreover, for the first time, we are visiting in the early part of the season, instead of at the same time as the Formula One Grand Prix and thereby hopefully creating more interest among the media and public.

Ever since being involved in organising the first-ever international motorsports event in the People's Republic of China, back in 1994, I have had great affection for the country and the people, and I was delighted to be able to return with the FIA GT Championship in 2004, after an interval of five years. I am very impressed by the way that China has evolved since I first visited the country. There is great enthusiasm for motorsport in this country, and we hope that the beautiful cars and exceptional drivers taking part in the FIA GT will add to this enthusiasm.

Year after year, the FIA GT Championship grows better and better. The performance balancing system introduced by the FIA has proved that the magnificent sportscars built by Aston Martin, Corvette, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Porsche and Saleen can fight for victory on an equal basis, producing extremely close races, where the final result is often still undecided until the very last lap. Moreover, a new two-hour format set in place for 2006 will make the races even more exciting, better for spectators and TV viewers alike.

I cannot think of a better or more exciting place to start the season, and I look forward to March 2007 with great anticipation. "

ERRATA
We would like to make it clear that Frestech is the Presenting Sponsor of the 2007 Zhuhai round of the FIA GT Championship, and not the title sponsor as we indicated in issue 20 of GT News. Our apologies for any confusion this may have caused.

-credit: fiagt