F1 cars ready for racing
20/9/2004 17:07
Shanghai Daily News
Altogether 30 Formula One
racing cars, from 10 different teams in the championship, are now parked at the
Shanghai International Circuit after being transported in via three mega cargo
flights from Europe over the past two days.
The fully-loaded planes also
carried hundreds of tires, car parts and electrical gadgets.
Another three
carriers are expected to arrive today and tomorrow, completing the enormous
project of moving the mainly Europe-based event to China, which is uncharted
territory for the glamorous sport.
Fresh off the Italian Grand Prix last
weekend, one of the 10 European legs on the 18-stop F1 annual calendar, the
racing actions appeared less appealing with German ace Michael Schumacher and
his Scuderia Ferrari team having already claimed the drivers' and constructors'
annual titles.
Yu Zhifei, deputy general manager of Shanghai International
Circuit, said all the tickets have been sold out, bringing in about 300 million
yuan (US$36 million).
Scalpers should be excited about the event, with black
market prices for a 3,700 yuan admission, the most expensive ticket for the
race, reportedly selling for up to 10,000 yuan.
An expected crowd of 150,000
will take to SIC, located more than 40 kilometers northwest of the city, on race
day. The circuit conducted a final emergency drill on Saturday to prepare itself
for possible mishaps like on-track accidents, inclement weather and traffic
problems.
"We've gained some experience over the past three months and are
confident of presenting a smooth event," said Mao Xiaohan, the circuit's general
manager.
The local government unveiled the SIC in early June and has staged
two national motor racing events at the venue since then.
However, the coming
event will cause some traffic accesses in the city to be closed to those without
a special parking permit issued by the event organizers.
Police have
announced a traffic control program that will affect local traffic from Friday
to Sunday.
Starting from 7am on Friday to 6:30pm on Sunday, vehicles without
a parking permit for the event and all bikes will not be allowed in an area
surrounded by Baoan Highway, Shengxin Road, Jia'an Road and Jiasong Road N. The
ban doesn't cover those roads themselves.
Since the parking permits have
been already sold out, those who failed to get a permit will have to park their
cars outside the areas under traffic control and walk four to five kilometers to
reach the racing circuit. Local police suggest race fans should take special
buses to the race to cut down on traffic problems.
Shanghai Daily will
publish a 4-page F1 Express for four days starting on
Thursday.
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