Rustavi International Motorpark

The Rustavi International Motorpark is a motor racing venue located 20 kilometres (12 mi) south-east of Tbilisi, Georgia.

Rustavi International Motorpark
Rustavi International Motorpark
Location3700, Rustavi, 21st km of the Tbilisi-Tsiteli Bridge highway
Rustavi 85323
Georgia
Time zoneGMT+4
Capacity7,500
FIA Grade3
OwnerShota Abkhazava
Major eventsTCR International Series (from 2017)
Legends Cars Championship
Formula Alfa Championship
Touring & GT Championship
Road Course
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.56 mi (4.140 km)
Turns12
BankingMaximum rise 3.16%
Maximum fall 2.5%
Minimum slope 1.75%
Maximum slope 8%
Race lap record1:44.591 (Nika Adeishvili, Gulf Racing, 2012, Formula Alfa)
Race lap record1:57.027 (Data Kajaia, MIA Force, 2013, Legends)

History

Rustavi was the last race track built in the USSR. Opened in 1978, the original Rustavi circuit was 2.5 miles (4.0 km) in length with a width of 18 metres (59 ft) at the start-finish straight, 14 metres (46 ft) in turns and 12 metres (39 ft) in straights. A karting track, automobile cross circuit and motorbike track were also included in the complex, as well as grandstands for 500-800 people. A technical building and hotel were located nearby. The first races took place at the end of 1979. Until 1989 the track hosted eleven USSR Championship events; however, from 1989 until 2009 the track was not maintained and fell into decay.[1] In 2009 the private company[2] Stromos bought the site at a state auction and began redevelopment.

Reconstruction

After being bought by Somos the track was totally rebuilt and has multiple configuration changes.[3] More than 250000 m3 of soil have been moved. New permanent concrete grandstand was erected, which would seat 2,000 people comfortably. 28 FIA-standard pit boxes were built with a Tribune 2, restaurant and conference hall upstairs. Race control tower is located at the third floor of the pitbuilding.

A tunnel for heavy trucks was made under the straight between Turn 2 and Turn 3. A pedestrian tunnel was added to connect main grandstand with the paddock. Spectators can get to the newly built Tribune 3 across a bridge with two Svanuri towers.

The track has been equipped with several engineering systems like video surveillance covering the whole track, 14 electronically controlled signaling lights, a fiber-optic network, sound distribution and AMB timekeeping with 5 loops.

The start-finish line has been extended half mile to serve as a dragstrip.

Safety

Rustavi International Motorpark logo

After the reconstruction the raceway satisfies to the FIA Grade 2[4] safety regulations that allow to host the most of international racing series including GP2. All runoff areas are filled with gravel of special type, but the most critical ones have asphalted surface.

Events

In 2012 the track hostEd events of different types, like 8-staged national Legends car racing, the Formula Alfa championships[5] , drag racing, pairs racing, drifting, karting, motorcycles and club racing.[6] Tickets are priced at 5 GEL (about $3.00) and available at the gate. Major events are covered in local "Channel 1" (Georgian Public Broadcaster). Since July 14, 2012 the local bookmaker "EuropeBet" has given A line[7] on the main race groups of the Georgian Open Championship.

Teams

The motorpark is home for several newly established national teams, such as Gulf Racing, Liberty Bank Racing, MIA Force, Team Ajara, VTB Bank, Sports Ministry Team and GPB Team.

Track specifications

Rustavi International Motorpark
SpecificationSize
Length4.140 kilometres (2.572 mi)
Minimum width12.5 metres (41 ft)
Maximum width21.5 metres (71 ft)
Length of start-finish straight667 metres (2,188 ft)
Maximum speed estimate for GP2 car282 kilometres per hour (175 mph)
DirectionCounterclockwise
Maximum longitudinal rise3.16%
Maximum longitudinal fall2.5%
Minimum lateral slope1.75%
Maximum lateral slope8%
Turns7 left, 5 right
Grandstand capacity at the first stage of operationT1 - 2500, T2 - 2000, T3 - 3000
Number of pits28
Size of pit garage6 by 14 metres (20 ft × 46 ft)

Layouts

References

  1. "Self-governing city of Rustavi official website". 2011-09-07. Archived from the original on 2013-01-07.
  2. "Tbilisi Week agency". 2011-12-22. Archived from the original on 2013-01-07.
  3. "Self-governing city of Rustavi official website". 2011-09-07. Archived from the original on 2013-01-07.
  4. "Professional Motorsport World magazine" (PDF). 2011-04-01. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-12-22.
  5. "Rustavi 2 Broadcasting Company". 2012-04-29. Archived from the original on 2013-05-01. Retrieved 2012-07-30.
  6. "Georgian AutoSport Association official calendar". 2012-04-15. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
  7. "Georgian AutoSport Association news". 2012-07-13. Archived from the original on 2016-03-11.

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