nog maar eens een GP circuit in China

[Raceboy]

Shanghai to lead new Chinese bid.

China's desire to play host to the Formula One circus will take a step up next year, with the start of construction on another new circuit.

According to the South China Morning Post newspaper, a consortium in Shanghai is prepared to stump up the estimated $1billion needed to construct a grand prix standard circuit close to the country's biggest city. The venue, which would be due for completion around 2004, is expected to supersede the existing Zhuhai facility as China's primary circuit.

The new track is understood to have been earmarked for an industrial zone close to the city, which has an estimated 12 million residents. This figure is not thought likely to have as big an impact on the possible race crowd, however, owing to the diversity of wealth within the country.

Nevertheless, China is determined to land a grand prix in the next five years, with outside visitors being targeted as heavily as the locals. With the 'acquisition' of Macau, China's motorsport heritage has already moved up a gear, and the next step is a permanent venue capable of hosting Formula One cars.

Should the Shanghai project reach fruition by 2004, it is expected to face stiff competition for a place on the F1 calendar from the likes of Russia and the Middle East, as well as those circuits already on the schedule which want to retain their places in an already overcrowded season.

hoeveel circuits hebben die mannen nu al ni gepland ?amé bon in 2004 paddockmeeting in shangai