09 Jan 2018 From single track operator to software export; ZIC s comprehensive motorsport management export is a new business model

 

What is the survival formula for a race circuit? Hosting various races and accepting bookings from various automakers for commercial activiites? For many people, even those within the industry, that's what they believe. But Zhuhai International Circuit (ZIC) is a little different, in 2017, ZIC has already exploited a new business area.

In the past year, ZIC participated in the design and development of Zhengzhou International Autodrome; ZIC completed its output on Tianjin V1 Race World's design and development consultancy work; ZIC successfully operated and managed the brand new FRD LMP3 series; ZIC became the China promotional partner for Asia Road Racing Championship. As the first race circuit in China, ZIC built the first ever international standard permanent race circuit in the country; ZIC began the "grassroot racing" philosophy and a new wave of grassroot racers came to be. In the past year, ZIC once again overturned the normal motorsport concept, by becoming a one stop shop for new racing circuits. It provides a comprehensive service from concept design, construction and race series operation, management and promotion. These new business concept and models are new for Chinese motorsport businesses.

"We created the concept and design for Zhengzhou International Autodrome. From the circuit's conceptualizing stage, ZIC is already involved." ZIC General Manager Mr. Stewart Tan said, "We worked with M-Track, an Australian professional race circuit designer. We did not just request for a circuit that is suitable for professional racing, we also requested that the circuit be more suitable for Chinese motorsport and commercial activities, more grounded."  M-Track is undoubtedly a reputable professional circuit design company, ZIC has valuable circuit management and race operation experiences.

"Zhengzzhou International Autodrome is a circuit with a lot of special characteristics. Using ZIC's experience, we fully tailor made the circuit for Zhengzhou." Stewart said, Zhengzhou has a 2.5 km standard circuit that can satisfy the normal regional races' requirements. At the same time the circuit has two "connecting points" that can connect with the streets outside the circuit. "If there is a need to host a big international race, these connceting points can be opened and connect with the streets to create a bigger and longer circuit. This will expand the circuit and make the circuit more challenging. Of course, this also saves a lot of land and expense in circuit construction.  This is a trailblazing design and is a very grounded aspect of the circuit."

ZIC is fully involved in the design and construction of the Zhengzhou International Autodrome. ZIC is fully involved, it means it does not only took a look at the drawings, it actually worked on and followed through on the hardware design, construction and software development. "Zhengzhou International Autodrome have their own management team. We helped them build up their daily operation system and race management system. These systems are based on ZIC's standard operation system with a few modifications. But overall, they operate in the same way as ZIC and Pan Delta." Stewart explained. "They do not have actual operational experience yet, we going over there and conducted training as a first step, next we will have them come over to our various departments and participate in practical operations, including daily operations and race operations. Through this personnel exchange program, they gain their practical experience and will soon establish their own "Central Plain Racing Festival". Apart from race management, ZIC also helps Zhengzhou International Autodrome in attracting race teams to base themselves at the circuit, as well as nurturing races, or even directly importing ZIC resources.

ZIC's standardised management system is an offer that a new team simply cannot refuse. From 2012, ZIC began establishing these standardised management systems. Two motor racing circuit service maangement standards have been released.  These standards are established after a lot of hard work by the ZIC team. Stewart is very glad that the hard work is now paying off at ZIC and Zhengzhou.

Apart from the soft export to Zhengzhou, in 2017, the other big project for ZIC's operation team was the involvement with the new FRD LMP3 series. "In the past, we exported race officials, each time maybe one or two people. This time, our race management team really went outside of Pan Delta and involved themselves totally in the management of a high level race series. This is a first for us. I am very happy that our team did a very good job." In the LMP3 race, ZIC team's professional performance and efficiency shone brightly. After a year's operation, the FRD LMP3 series has obtained a very important position in the Chinese high end motorsport market. "This is very important for our team. This is a different race from our own Pan Delta. First it is someone else's race, we are only the manager, then this race has more entertainment elements and has different rundowns from Pan Delta. For our team, this is a great learning opportunity." Stewart said.

For ZIC, participating in other races' management and other circuits' establishment, means 20 years of hard work is now coming to fruition. These exports are opportunities as well as training. These exports also allow the world to look at ZIC in a different light. The circuit is not only a racing circuit, it is capable of designing and managing any circuits. It can run not just Pan Delta races, it can take on bigger races and make it successful. This is the power of knowledge.

In 2017, ZIC has made its first steps. In 2018 there will be more circuits and more races to take part in!