Storm Causes Damage to Shanghai International Circuit
A storm, bringing gale force winds, has caused damage at the Chinese Grand Prix circuit in Shanghai.
As A1GP teams practiced at the track on Friday, it emerged that some of the grandstands - most notably the circular awnings providing cover, but also some rows of the actual seating - had been ripped apart in the storm.
The Shanghai Meteorological Bureau had issued a ‘blue gale alert’ storm warning on Thursday evening.
“The storm was caused by a cyclone moving north in the Yangtze and Huaihe river valleys,” a forecaster said.
There are fears that the stands will not be repaired in time for the Grand Prix, scheduled to take place on October 7. Winds of up to 80 mph brought down four stands at the track, which hosted its first Grand Prix in 204.
“We may not repair the damaged stands this year as dismantling the seats, clearing debris and rebuilding work all require time,” said the circuit’s deputy general manager Wang Ying, according to the Shanghai Daily. “Even if we finish before the Chinese Grand Prix, we may still be short of time to carry out safety tests on the repair work.”
It is unclear at this time how many seats have been affected by the damage, not that the event was ever a sell-out, not with race tickets costing locals several months wages.
This latest problem comes less than three months after Yu Zhifei, general manager of the circuit, was fired following an investigation into corruption.
BACKGROUND: The Chinese Grand Prix is a round of the Formula One World Championship, held towards the seasons conclusion in October.
The first Chinese Grand Prix took place on September 26, 2004, where Rubens Barrichello drove to first place. The next year it hosted the final race of the championship. World-champion Fernando Alonso emerged victorious on October 16, 2005, and his team Renault also claimed the Constructors championship. In 2006, Michael Schumacher won his last Formula One race in a rain hit Chinese Grand Prix.
The Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, was designed by Hermann Tilke, and is the most expensive Formula One circuit facility ever made, costing US$ 240 million.
Technorati Tags: A1GP, F1, Formula One, Grand Prix of Nations, World Cup of Motorsports, FIA, Shanghai International Circuit
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