The Baku World Challenge was an international motorsport competition in Baku, Azerbaijan, held on a temporary street circuit on closed public roads.
| Blancpain Sprint Series | |
|---|---|
| First race | 2012 |
| Last race | 2014 |
| Laps | ca. 30 |
| Duration | 1 hour |
| Previous names | City Challenge Baku (2012) Baku World Challenge (2013–2014) |
| Most wins (driver) |  Laurens Vanthoor (2) |
| Most wins (team) | Belgian Audi Club Team WRT (2) |
| Most wins (manufacturer) |  Audi (2) |
 Original Circuit (2012) | |
| Location | Baku, Azerbaijan |
|---|---|
| Time zone | UTC+04:00 |
| Coordinates | 40°23′43″N 49°52′56″E / 40.39528°N 49.88222°E |
| Broke ground | October 12, 2012 |
| Opened | October 25, 2012 |
| Closed | November 2, 2014 |
| Former names | City Challenge Baku (2012) |
| Major events | Blancpain Sprint Series (2013–2014) |
| Street Circuit (2014) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 3.890 km (2.417 miles) |
| Turns | 13 |
| Race lap record | 1:29.488 ( Laurens Vanthoor, Audi R8 LMS ultra, 2014, GT3) |
| Street Circuit (2013) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 4.380 km (2.722 miles) |
| Turns | 13 |
| Race lap record | 1:42.583 ( René Rast, Audi R8 LMS ultra, 2013, GT3) |
| Original Circuit (2012) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 2.144 km (1.332 miles) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Race lap record | 1:03.939 ( Sean Edwards, Porsche 911 GT3 R, 2012, GT3) |
History
edit2012
editIn 2012 (October 28), the City Challenge GmbH organized a stand-alone event for GT3-spec cars in Baku. It was called City Challenge Baku. The races were held on a 2.144 km (1.332 mi) street circuit around the Government House.[1][2] Gymkhana drifters and entertainment activities were the supporting program. According to the promoter, the event had 42,000 visitors.[3]
2013
editIn 2013, the finale of the FIA GT Championship was held in Baku as Baku World Challenge. The series used a new street circuit close to the Baku Crystal Hall and the National Flag Square. It had a length of 4.380 km (2.722 mi). The event was organized by Jean-François Chaumont and the former Formula 1 driver Thierry Boutsen.[1][2]
2014
editIn 2014, the last race of the Blancpain Sprint Series was held in Baku as Baku World Challenge.[4] The series used a new shortened circuit close to the Baku Crystal Hall and the National Flag Square. The circuit was shortened to 3.890 km (2.417 mi).[2] The event was closed following the announcement that Formula One would hold a street race in Baku from 2016.
Winners
edit
Lap records
editThe official race lap records at the Baku World Challenge are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street Circuit: 3.890 km (2014)[2] | ||||
| GT3 | 1:29.488[5] | Laurens Vanthoor[6] | Audi R8 LMS ultra | 2014 Baku World Challenge |
| Street Circuit: 4.380 km (2013)[2] | ||||
| GT3 | 1:42.583[7] | René Rast | Audi R8 LMS ultra | 2013 Baku World Challenge |
| Original Circuit: 2.144 km (2012)[2] | ||||
| GT3 | 1:03.939[8] | Sean Edwards | Porsche 911 (997 II) GT3 R | 2012 City Challenge Baku |
References
edit- ^ a b Fabian Stein (November 20, 2013). "Wie die Challenge nach Baku kam". adrivo Sportpresse GmbH. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f "Baku City Circuit – Racing Circuits". Racingcircuits.info. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- ^ "Overwhelming media coverage of Baku event". City Challenge GmbH. Archived from the original on March 3, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
- ^ "Zolder round of the Blancpain GT Series postponed by a week". SRO Motorsports Group. January 13, 2014. Archived from the original on February 17, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
- ^ "Blancpain Sprint Series Baku 2014". Racingsportscars. November 2, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- ^ "Blancpain GT Series – Sprint Cup Pro 2014 standings". Driver Database. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- ^ "Baku World Challenge 2013 FIA GT Series Result List Main Race – Official" (PDF). Blancpain Timing. November 24, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 10, 2013. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
- ^ "Baku World Challenge 2013 FIA GT Series Result List Main Race – Official". Racingsportscars. October 28, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
External links
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