Vodafone Bucharest Challenge 2007- will take place between 18 and 20th of May 2007.

Circuit Details

Track length: 3180 m
Track length ideal line: 3106 m
Lap time: 75,3 sec. (FIA GT)
Average speed: 148,6 km/h (FIA GT)

Speakers at the press conference were Mr. Hartmut Beyer - CEO Bucharest Ring, organizer of the 2007 event, Mr. Stephane Ratel, Chairman of SRO (Promoter of the FIA GT Championship), Mr. Hermann Tilke (architect of the track), Mr. Constantin Niculescu (president of the Romanian Automobil Club ACR) and Mr. Uwe Strohmeyer (managing director of the Bucharest Ring). Drivers in attendance included Thomas Biagi, Karl Wendlinger , drivers from the Renauer Motorsport Team and leading Romanian Drivers such as Mihai Marinescu, Doru Sechelariu (both Formula Renault 2000) and Claudiu David (Dacia Logan Cup.

Race Alliance driver Karl Wendlinger made countless taxi drives on the provisional street course around the palace, nowadays the location of the Romanian parliament.

The 3.1 km circuit was designed by leading F1 architect Hermann Tilke, who has already designed and built the Grand Prix tracks in Bahrain, Istanbul and China among others. “We just built up a fraction of the entire circuit for today, of course. Many more adjustments will be necessary for the FIA GT race next year”, the man from Aachen explained, “For example we will lay new asphalt in the braking zones and in the corners.”

Karl Wendlinger was enthusiastic: “It’s not a typical street course, because there’s just a few corners with four long straights – but the backdrop is overwhelming. This race will further increase the value of our championship for sure.”

Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer, team owner of RaceAlliance, thought likewise: “Looking at the amount of spectators that were already present today, we can expect a real spectacle.”

Adriean Videanu, General Mayor of Bucharest: “I am very happy that this project is becoming reality and that Bucharest will host such an extraordinary and exciting event. The city and the people will profit from this because it will present Romania in a different light and will show how friendly and hospitable Romanians are. This will give an opportunity to international companies for investments in different areas in Bucharest and Romania. Bucharest will take the place on the side of other big capitals in the world which host big sport events. I would like ti wish the Event-managers success and good luck for the project.”

Mr. Stephane Ratel, Chairman of SRO (Promoter of the FIA GT Championship): ”It is with great pleasure that the FIA GT Championship has included Bucharest on its calendar for 2007. It will be an exceptional opportunity to be the first international series to race on this new city circuit in such an exciting location. It will also mark a return of the FIA GT to city racing, almost ten years exactly since the Championship last competed on a street circuit, in Helsinki back in May 1997. The Bucharest race will obviously be a historic occasion, and a great opportunity for the teams and drivers taking part in the 2007 season, to be able to race in front of such a magnificent backdrop as is formed by the parliamentary buildings, one of the greatest edifices in the world. There was great disappointment among the competitors and press alike when the 2006 edition had to be postponed, and we are all delighted that this event will now finally come to pass. We hope that the public in Bucharest will turn out in great numbers to see our magnificent cars, representing some of the greatest makes of sportcars : Aston Martin, Corvette, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Porsche and Saleen. The 2007 season will see a new two-hour format, better for spectators and TV viewers, and a guarantee of even closer and more exciting races. Moreover, we will be bringing two other series with us to add to the excitement. The innovative FIA GT3 European Championship is a Cup of Cups series for non-professional drivers, which has thrilled spectators in its inaugural year, thanks to its packed grids and exciting races. And the Lloyds TSB Insurance British F3 International Series is one of the leading single-seater series for Formula One drivers of the future. Having visited Bucharest in 2006, along with other members of the race organization, I am sure that this new circuit, designed by Hermann Tilke, will be a great success, and I look forward to returning for the event in May.”

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courtesy of http://www.bucharestring.com/en/