GT1 World Champs 2011... in Durban?

[dysan1]

Say What.....? GT1 World Champs really coming to Durbs this year?? We heard this last year and it was pushed out to 2011, now we hearing it again...?

GOING OUT: The Fast & The Furious at Yas Marina Circuit
Sunday, 13 March 2011 09:56 0 Comments

The 'Battle of the Brands' will be played out at the Yas Marina Circuit

Get ready for yet another exciting day at the Yas Marina Circuit when the FIA GT1 World Championship returns to the UAE capital on March 25-26.

The opening round of the 2011 series, billed as the 'Battle of the Brands', will give ticket holders a chance to witness some of the world’s most iconic sports cars compete against each other, including the Aston Martin DB9, Corvette Z06, Ford GT, Lamborghini Murciélago RS-V and Nissan GT-R.

Starting in Abu Dhabi, the 2011 FIA GT1 World Championship series will travel throughout the year to 10 of the world’s best racing circuits before finishing in Argentina in December.

Peter Rae, Director of Communications at Yas Marina Circuit, said: “We are delighted to welcome the GT1 series back for the opening round of the 2011 championship.

"GT1 has proven to be a ground-breaking, truly global event and its presence continues to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s place on the motorsports map.

“The event will be accompanied by a wide range of additional entertainment, adding even more fun for motorsports fans and all family members alike.

"The prestigious Abu Dhabi Yacht Show taking place in the adjacent Yas Marina will help make the weekend a true celebration of luxury brands.”

Tickets are on sale now at www.yasmarinacircuit.com or by calling 800 YAS (927). Prices start at AED 50, with children aged 12 and under free of charge.

The GT1 World Championship is one of the four World Championships sanctioned by the FIA, and promises adrenaline-releasing, action-driven races. It is a ground-breaking, truly global and technically innovative; ushering in a new era for sportscar racing.

Hardcore fans are sure to witness spectacular and riveting performances with these iconic car brands providing two cars and two racing teams to represent themselves.

As Stephane Ratel, the promoter of the FIA GT1 World Championship, said: “The series showcases the pinnacle of sports car racing in a single world championship and is now one of the ‘big four’ international motorsport series recognised by the FIA.”

The Championship visits some of the world’s most legendary and iconic circuits with the season starting in the UAE, before the European leg, which starts on another Grand Prix circuit at Silverstone in the UK.

The next round is held in Eastern Europe at Brno in the Czech Republic before heading to the Paul Ricard HTTT in the South of France.

At the end of July, the championship features two 60-minute races at the challenging Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium, before the 24 Hours of Spa.

Round 6 is at Nürburgring in Germany, with the final European round held in September in the Algarve, Portugal.

The Championship then heads to South Africa on the streets of Durban and the final two rounds will take place in South America – Round 9 at Interlagos in Brazil and the finale in Argentina on the San Luis circuit.

Defending champions and one of the most successful teams in the championship – Macerati MC12 – will not take part this year as the team’s attempts to find a second team to compete alongside reigning FIA GT1 champion Vitaphone Racing in this year’s world championship failed.

The series rules demand a minimum of four cars from each participating manufacturer.

Last year, Maserati MC12 claimed their fifth Drivers’ title and sixth Team’s title in six seasons last year. Driving duties were handled by Michael Bartels and Andrea Bertolini for the Vitaphone Racing Team, who won together for the fourth time.

The Cars
Cars from six of the most renowned sportscar marques will battle for supremacy. The Aston Martin DB9, Corvette Z06, Ford GT, Lamborghini Murciélago RS-V, Maserati MC 12 and Nissan GT-R are all striving for top spot.

The Teams
Each manufacturer supplies two teams with two cars and provides support to the 12 highly-professional independent teams. Teams consist of drivers, trackside engineers, technicians and managers.

The Series
The FIA GT1 World Championship is a world championship sportscar racing series, regulated by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and promoted by the Stephawne Ratel Organisation (SRO).

Entrants compete in one-hour races on multiple continents, driving ‘grand touring’ race cars that are based on standard production road cars, and conform to strict GT1 regulations

http://www.sport360.com/uae/news/607...marina-circuit