Baku World Challenge

Baku World Challenge
Blancpain Sprint Series
Location	Baku, Azerbaijan; 40°23′43″N 49°52′56″E / 40.39528°N 49.88222°ECoordinates: 40°23′43″N 49°52′56″E / 40.39528°N 49.88222°E
First race	2012
Last race	2014
Laps	ca. 30
Duration	1 hour
Previous names	City Challenge Baku (2012); Baku World Challenge (2013-2014)
Circuit information
Surface	Asphalt
Length	2.721 mi (4.379 km)
Turns	18
Lap record	1:42.583 (René Rast, Audi R8 LMS ultra, 2013, GT3)

The Baku World Challenge was an international motorsport competition in Baku, Azerbaijan, held on a temporary street circuit on closed public roads.

History[]

2012[]

In 2012, 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 kilometer street circuit around the Government House.^[2] Gymkhana drifters and entertainment activities were the supporting program. According to the promoter, the event had 42,000 visitors.^[3]

2013[]

In 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 kilometres. The event was organized by Jean-François Chaumont and the former Formula 1 driver Thierry Boutsen.^[2]

2014[]

The Baku World Challenge was the last race of the Blancpain Sprint Series in 2014.^[4] The event was discontinued following the announcement that Formula One would hold a street race in Baku from 2016.

Previous winners[]

Season	Date	Winning Drivers	Car	Team
2012	28 October	Frédéric Makowiecki Stef Dusseldorp	McLaren MP4-12C GT3	Hexis Racing
2013	24 November	Stéphane Ortelli Laurens Vanthoor	Audi R8 LMS ultra	Belgian Audi Club Team WRT
2014	2 November	Laurens Vanthoor César Ramos	Audi R8 LMS ultra	Belgian Audi Club Team WRT

References[]

^ "Result List Main Race" (PDF). Blancpain Timing. 2013-11-02. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-12-10. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
^ ^a ^b Fabian Stein (2013-11-20). "Wie die Challenge nach Baku kam". adrivo Sportpresse GmbH. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
^ "Overwhelming media coverage of Baku event". City Challenge GmbH. Archived from the original on 2014-03-03. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
^ "Zolder round of the Blancpain GT Series postponed by a week". SRO Motorsports Group. 2014-01-13. Archived from the original on 2014-02-17. Retrieved 2014-03-03.

Links[]

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[2013_Race-1] "Result List Main Race" (PDF). Blancpain Timing. 2013-11-02. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-12-10. Retrieved 2014-03-03.

[BWC_History-2] Fabian Stein (2013-11-20). "Wie die Challenge nach Baku kam". adrivo Sportpresse GmbH. Retrieved 2014-03-03.

[2012_Visitors-3] "Overwhelming media coverage of Baku event". City Challenge GmbH. Archived from the original on 2014-03-03. Retrieved 2014-03-03.

[BWC_2014-4] "Zolder round of the Blancpain GT Series postponed by a week". SRO Motorsports Group. 2014-01-13. Archived from the original on 2014-02-17. Retrieved 2014-03-03.

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Blancpain Sprint Series

Location	Baku, Azerbaijan 40°23′43″N 49°52′56″E / 40.39528°N 49.88222°E / 40.39528; 49.88222Coordinates: 40°23′43″N 49°52′56″E / 40.39528°N 49.88222°E / 40.39528; 49.88222
First race	2012
Last race	2014
Laps	ca. 30
Duration	1 hour
Previous names	City Challenge Baku (2012) Baku World Challenge (2013-2014)
Circuit information
Surface	Asphalt
Length	2.721 mi (4.379 km)
Turns	18
Lap record	1:42.583^[1] (René Rast, Audi R8 LMS ultra, 2013, GT3)