New Delhi, Feb 14 (IANS): India's Budh International Circuit (BIC) will be hosting the 2012 season grand finale of FIA's GT1 World Championship Nov 30-Dec 2. India will be the second venue of the race in Asia after China.
Stephane Ratel, founder and CEO of SRO Motorsports Group, the official organizer of world body FIA's GT1 World Championship, said the calendar for the coming season is rounded out by the final round in India, at the BIC, which hosted India's first Formula One race last year.
"India completes the 2012 calendar in every way. It fulfils our ambition to continue to break new ground in global markets, taking world-class GT racing to new and exciting locations. To secure events in the three capital cities of the three fastest growing markets for luxury cars is a major step forward," Ratel said in a statement.
Constructed in 2010, the 5.125-kilometre track, situated at NOIDA near New Delhi, was designed by Hermann Tilke, and offers a variety of challenges to drivers and teams alike.
Sameer Gaur, MD and CEO of Jaypee Sports International Limited (JPSI), which owns the circuit, said it was a great honour for BIC. JPSI is also the promoter of the Formula One in India.
"It is indeed a matter of great pleasure for us to be a part of the FIA GT1 World Championship. After having hosted a hugely successful F1 race at BIC last October, we are fully prepared for another successful international race. I am sure Indian motorsport fans would love it and India would soon acquire its rightful place in the world of high-speed motor racing," Gaur said in a statement.
The 2012 season will also see Ferrari competing in the FIA GT1 World Championship. Two GT1 race cars based on the Ferrari 458 Italia will compete in the series.
Ferrari joins Audi (Team WRT), BMW (Vita4One), McLaren (Hexis) and Mercedes (All-Inkl.com Munnich Motorsport) in an impressive lineup for the 2012 FIA GT1 World Championship. Other teams will be announcing their participation in the coming days.
"The addition of Ferrari to the 2012 lineup makes it a mouth-watering series. With Ferrari, the number of teams for the next season is five and and we are in advanced talks with a number of other teams as well," said Ratel.
Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli will be the official tyre supplier for the series.
The FIA GT Championship started in 1997 is a sports car racing series organised by the SRO on behalf of the FIA. The championship is basically concentrated in Europe, but over the years has expanded to Asia and South America. At the end of 2009, the championship was replaced by the FIA GT1 World Championship.
The race comprises grand tourer cars meeting FIA World GT regulations. The championship features two titles awarded to the highest scoring entries over the course of the season: The GT1 World Championship for Drivers and the GT1 World Championship for Teams.
The 2012 FIA GT1 World Championship Calendar
April 8 - Nogaro (France)
April 22 - Zolder (Belgium)
May 27 - Navarra (Spain)
July 8 - Algarve (Portugal)
Aug 26 - Beijing (China)
Sep 2 - Ordos (China)
Sep 16 - Moscow (Russia)
Oct 7 - Zandvoort (The Netherlands)
Nov 4 - San Luis (Argentina)
Dec 2 - New Delhi (India)