Shanghai inaugural event news 2005-04-15

Countdown to Shanghai MotoGP begins

Shanghai, April 15th, 2005 -- Preparations for the inaugural Shanghai MotoGP on May 1st are now well underway as the Shanghai International Circuit (SIC) looks forward to playing host to the third leg of the 17-race World Championship.

Spectators at the event can look forward to witnessing first hand the power struggle between MotoGP supremo Valentino Rossi and contender to his throne, Sete Gibernau. The battle for honours between the Italian and Spaniard promises to keep even newcomers to the sport entertained and with their eyes firmly fixed on the action.

The Shanghai MotoGP represents the first race of its kind in China like the FIA Formula One World Championship Grand Prix in 2004 and once again highlights the benefits of the new circuit to the area in both the commercial and sports entertainment industries.

As well as hosting what's set to be a nail-biting round of the Championship, the SIC is also the exclusive holder of the MotoGP's TV rights in China. The broadcasting of the on-track action began last weekend, April 10th, for the Spanish MotoGP, this years's opening race in the World Championship. MotoGP's TV coverage involves all five continents, with over 185 countries broadcasting the event, a scale that rivals FIA's Formula One World Championship.

MotoGP fans looking to make the most of the new race can purchase tickets for the VIP Village, MotoGP's answer to Formula One's Paddock Club. After an exclusive Pitlane Walkabout and tour of the paddock, guests in the VIP Village can make the most of the fantastic food and hospitality whilst watching the action on track.

The SIC has been a hive of activity over the past few weeks seeing a wide variety of motorsport events including the Formula Renault Challenge and the first round of the 2005 China Circuit Championship.

Safety and security issues are at the top of the SIC's agenda and procedures are taken incredibly seriously. Over the past month they have been able to take advantage of the smaller events to perfect the troop of marshals and the systems involved in a real race situation. Following the careful preparation and planning, the FIM have granted their approval.

-www.icsh.sh.cn