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 (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]

The street circuit in aerial view from left bottom

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 km (2.722 mi). The event was organized by Jean-François Chaumont and the former Formula 1 driver Thierry Boutsen.[1][2]

2014

In 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

Year Driver Constructor Team
2012 France Frédéric Makowiecki
Netherlands Stef Dusseldorp 		McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Hexis Racing
2013 Monaco Stéphane Ortelli
Belgium Laurens Vanthoor 		Audi R8 LMS ultra Belgian Audi Club Team WRT
2014 Belgium Laurens Vanthoor
Brazil César Ramos 		Audi R8 LMS ultra Belgian Audi Club Team WRT

Lap records

The 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

  1. ^ a b Fabian Stein (November 20, 2013). "Wie die Challenge nach Baku kam". adrivo Sportpresse GmbH. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Baku City Circuit – Racing Circuits". Racingcircuits.info. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  3. ^ "Overwhelming media coverage of Baku event". City Challenge GmbH. Archived from the original on March 3, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "Blancpain Sprint Series Baku 2014". Racingsportscars. November 2, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  6. ^ "Blancpain GT Series – Sprint Cup Pro 2014 standings". Driver Database. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "Baku World Challenge 2013 FIA GT Series Result List Main Race – Official". Racingsportscars. October 28, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baku_World_Challenge
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