03 Nov 2011 Zhuhai 6 hours: The guide
Photo : Nicolas COUSSEAU - ACO/Nikon
The Zhuhai 6 hours (13th November) will go down in history as the final round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, before the birth of the World Endurance Championship.
THE CIRCUIT
Close to city of Macau that was administered by Portugal until 1999, Zhuhai is considered the cradle of Chinese motorsport. In 1994, the streets of the city hosted a GT race followed by 200,000 spectators. Two years later the first permanent circuit in the country was constructed. It hosts the last race of the ILMC season for the second consecutive year. A technical track with 14 turns, the Audi ZIC (Audi Zhuhai International Circuit) has many passing places, including a 900 metre straight.
THE CHALLENGE
- Although Peugeot, Signatech and Larbre Competition are already titled in their respective team and constructors categories, GTE Pro will be decided in China (classification ILMC)
- One month after the drama at Petit Le Mans, Peugeot and Audi drivers meet for a high tension final round.
- Double world champion in Formula 1 Mika Häkkinen makes his debut in endurance racing in a Mercedes SLS GT3.
- For all manufacturers involved in ILMC, the importance the Zhuhai visit bearing in mind the significance of the Chinese automotive market makes it the most important event of the year after Le Mans.
THE PROGRAMME
Friday 11 November
10h30 to 12h00 ; UK 02h30 to 04h00 – First free practice (90')
15h00 to 16h00 ; UK 07h00 to 08h00 – Second free practice (60')
Saturday 12 November
10h15 to 11h15 ; UK 02h15 to 03h15 – Third free practice (60')
14h15 to 14h35 ; UK 06h15 to 06h35 – Qualifying LM GTE and GTC (20')
14h50 to 15h10 ; UK 06h50 to 07h10 – Qualifying LM P and FLM (20')
Sunday 13 November
08h00 to 08h20 ; UK 00h00 to 00h20 – Warm up (20')
11h00 to 17h00 ; UK 03h00 to 09h00 – Zhuhai 6 hours
Sunday, November 13 from 07:30 to 09:00: the finish live on Eurosport
Julien Hergault