Shanghai Back on Calendar After Ningbo No-Go

Photo: SRO

Next weekend’s GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS race at Ningbo will not go ahead as originally announced, with Shanghai International Circuit returning to the calendar but now as the season finale.

Confirmed by SRO Asia on Tuesday, it comes just four days after Ningbo was confirmed to replace the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix venue due to “local administrative complications linked to China’s nationwide college entrance exams.”

The latest decision following “extensive consultation” with teams and stakeholders, according to a statement by SRO.

“Maintaining the same date would have reduced the logistical challenges and cost of changing venue at short notice. Indeed, this was SRO’s primary motivation for selecting Ningbo,” the statement read.

“However, subsequent discussions led SRO to seek alternative solutions.”

This now means the GTWC Asia season will conclude with back-to-back events in China, first on the streets of Beijing on Oct. 2-4, followed by the rescheduled Shanghai round on Oct. 30-Nov. 1.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank Ningbo for its work at short notice to host GT World Challenge Asia,” said SRO Asia general manager Benjamin Franassovici.

“We are very grateful for its efforts during what was an extremely fast-moving situation that required quick decisions and solutions.

“Nevertheless, customer racing and the relationships around it underpin SRO Motorsports Group’s global activities and hard-earned reputation.

“Following our clients’ input I believe we have found the best solution to what has been a very challenging situation to navigate.”

The next GTWC Asia event will now be at Fuji Speedway on July 11-12 as part of the SRO GT Powertour that will include a round of the Japan Cup.

Details of SRO’s China-based GT Cup races, which were originally scheduled to support GTWC Asia at Shanghai and then Ningbo, will be announced soon.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John