The FIA GT1 World Championship has further expanded its global reach with the announcement of an additional race in India, which will serve as the series finale. The new race at the Buddh International circuit joins races in China, Argentina and the first-ever top-level international motorsports event in Russia for 2012. The track near New Delhi, site of Formula 1's Indian Grand Prix, will host GT1 on Dec. 2.
“India completes the 2012 calendar in every way,” said Stephane Ratel, founder and CEO of SRO Motorsports Group. "It fulfills our ambition to continue to break new ground in global markets, taking world-class GT racing to new and exciting locations. To secure events in the three capital cities of the three fastest growing markets for luxury cars is a major step forward."
"It is indeed a matter of great pleasure for us to be a part of the FIA GT1 World Championship," said Sameer Gaur, MD and CEO of event promoter Jaypee Sports International Ltd. "After having hosted a hugely successful F1 race at BIC last October, we are fully prepared for another successful international race. I am sure Indian motorsport fans would love it and India would soon acquire its rightful place in the world of high-speed motor racing."
With the season starting in Europe in early April, the FIA GT1 World Championship will be accompanied by the FIA GT3 European Championship for rounds in Nogaro, Zolder, Navarra and Algarve leading into July. The series then travels to two venues in China – Bejing and Ordos – before heading to Russia. GT3 will join up with GT1 at the Moscow Raceway, located some 45 miles outside the Russian capital. Both championships then head to Zandvoort at the start of October, where the season ends for the European series. FIA GT1 travels to Argentina, before the finale in India.