Baku World Challenge
The Baku World Challenge is an international motorsport competition in Baku, Azerbaijan. The event is held on a temporary street circuit on closed public roads.
FIA GT Series | |
---|---|
Location | Baku, Azerbaijan 40°23′43″N 49°52′56″E |
First race | 2012 |
Laps | ca. 30 |
Duration | 1 hour |
Previous names | City Challenge Baku (2012) Baku World Challenge (2013) |
Circuit information | |
Surface | Asphalt |
Length | 2.721 mi (4.379 km) |
Turns | 18 |
Lap record | 1:42.583[1] (René Rast, Audi R8 LMS ultra, 2013, GT3) |
History
2012
In 2012, 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 kilometer street circuit around the Government House.[2] Gymkhana drifters and entertainment activities were the supporting program. According to the promoter, the event had 42,000 visitors.[3]
2013
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 kilometres. The event was organized by Jean-François Chaumont and the former Formula 1 driver Thierry Boutsen.[2]
2014
The Baku World Challenge was the last race of the Blancpain Sprint Series in 2014.[4] The event was discontinued following the announcement that Formula One would hold a street race in Baku from 2016.
Previous winners
Season | Date | Winning Drivers | Car | Team |
---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | 28 October | McLaren MP4-12C GT3 | Hexis Racing | |
2013 | 24 November | Audi R8 LMS ultra | Belgian Audi Club Team WRT | |
2014 | 2 November | Audi R8 LMS ultra | Belgian Audi Club Team WRT | |
References
- "Result List Main Race" (PDF). Blancpain Timing. 2013-11-02. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-12-10. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
- Fabian Stein (2013-11-20). "Wie die Challenge nach Baku kam". adrivo Sportpresse GmbH. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
- "Overwhelming media coverage of Baku event". City Challenge GmbH. Archived from the original on 2014-03-03. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
- "Zolder round of the Blancpain GT Series postponed by a week". SRO Motorsports Group. 2014-01-13. Archived from the original on 2014-02-17. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
Links
- Official Baku World Challenge homepage
- Baku World Challenge on Facebook
- Baku World Challenge press information
- Official Baku City Challenge homepage
- Map and circuit history at RacingCircuits.info