(Shanghai, July 19, 2004) Shanghai will host another international motor racing event close on the heels of the debut Formula One Grand Prix, with the revved-up excitement of the V8 Supercar Championship Series in Shanghai next June.
The Shanghai Round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series will be held from June 10 to June 12C2005 at the Shanghai International Circuit. The event in Shanghai marks the first time that the V8 Supercar Championship Series has been held in Asia.
More than 400 officials from the worlds of government, sport, industry and commerce attended the signing ceremony today at the venue, the Shanghai International Circuit, launching the V8 Supercar Championship Series Shanghai Round.
An milestone event to signify the friendship between China and Australia, the launch of V8 Supercar Championship Series in Shanghai received a congratulatory letter from Prime Minister of Australia John Howard. Peter Beattie, the Premier of Queensland, Australia, home of the V8 Supercar Championship Series, and Yang Xiaodu, Vice Mayor of Shanghai, attended the ceremony and expressed their best wishes to the coming event.
V8 Supercars, F1, NASCAR and INDY are regarded as the worldfs top four international motor racing events. Originating in Australia in 1997, the V8 Supercar Championship Series runs 13 rounds from March to December each year.
The sport is the third most watched in Australia and other western countries, and is rapidly gaining ground in Asia. Every year, millions of spectators travel to V8 Supercar events around Australia, while more than 500 million homes in 70 countries around the world have V8 Supercar broadcasts on TV.
The V8 Supercar Championship Series debut in Shanghai confirms the China marketfs overwhelming impact on world sport. gIn recent years, we have witnessed a high-speed development in Chinafs economy and its automobile industry, which has strengthened the development of motor racing in China,ff said Tony Cochrane, chairman of Australian Vee Eight Supercar Company (AVESCO). gWe are confident that the V8 Supercar Championship Series will achieve great success here.h
The V8 Series takes its name from two factors, firstly, the car engines are eight cylinders and secondly, they are shaped like a gVh, hence, V8. Unlike F1 cars, V8 car exteriors are similar to those of ordinary cars, but with top speeds of 300 kilometres per hour, which is virtually as fast as an F1 car.
Shanghai Greenland Group is the organizer of the Shanghai Round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series. According to Zhang Yuliang, President of the Group, the V8 Supercar Championship Series will be held in Shanghai for the next five years. A total of 32 racing cars will compete at the Shanghai championship, with the track running a full length of 4.1 kilometers.
gCompared with Formula 1, V8 Supercars suit more people and has already won over many overseas fans,ff said Zhang. gDuring the series, the racing allows for reasonable contact and passing, making the sport more exciting, competitive and enjoyable than other motor racing sport. Ifm sure that the hosting Asiafs first V8 Supercar Championship Series round in Shanghai will quickly close the gap between motor racing and Chinese people.h
According to Mao Xiaohan, General Manager of the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai has the potential to become the centre of international motor racing. The world-class circuit is scheduled to host large events such as V8 and F1 and has already become one of the best-equipped circuits in the world.
At the press conference, the eventfs Australian partner Australian Vee Eight Supercar Company introduced three famous V8 drivers, Mark Skaife, Alex Yoong and Garry Rogers.
Australiafs Mark Skaife is hailed as V8fs gSchumacherh and has won five Supercar Championship Series and had 37 round victories. Malaysian Alex Yoong is V8fs first Asian driver and was formerly a F1 driver with Minardi, who has often been listed among the Top 10. Garry Rogers is a retired driver who is now mentor to three current champion drivers.
Following the press conference, a grand launch ceremony was held on the circuit featuring two V8 Supercars and pit crews brought in from Australia for the launch event. Two drivers Alex Yoong and Garry Rogers then drove a historical first lap launching V8fs historic first circuit in Asia. The drivers were followed on the track by a hot lap with the representative from The Shanghai Administration of Sports and Premier Beattiefs. The event concluded with highlights from some of the V8 Supercar Championship Series most exciting moments and a fashion show featuring V8 super car models.
For enquires, please contact:
James Zhou
Octagon Shanghai
Tel: 021 6352 1645
Fax: 021 6352 1124
Email: james.zhou@octagon.com