Chinese delegation to visit BigPond Grand Finale in preparation for 2005
29/11/2004 19:30 (Press Release) -
A delegation of Chinese dignitaries, businessmen, motorsport executives and media are visiting Australia this week to attend the BigPond Grand Finale at Eastern Creek Raceway ahead of the debut of the V8 Supercar Championship Series in Shanghai next year.
The party of around 30 people includes representatives of the Federation of Automobile Sports of the People’s Republic of China (FASC), the Shanghai Automobile and Motor Sports Association (SAMSA) the Shanghai Greenland Group and the JinJiang International Group.
The delegation is a first for Australian Motorsport and further underpins the positive and growing relations between the V8 Supercar Championship Series and the Chinese community.
The series will race in China for the first time at the $500 million Shanghai International Circuit next June. The event will represent a major breakthrough in the history of Australian sport and will also be the country’s largest single sporting export.
There will also be a representation of some 14 Chinese media from Shanghai TV, Shanghai Dragon TV who are all part of the Shanghai Media Group and journalists from major metropolitan newspapers.
During their visit the delegation will make several announcements regarding the detail of next year’s groundbreaking event and outline China’s expectations of the race.
They will also stage high level meetings with executives of the Australian Vee Eight Supercar Company (AVESCO), the Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS), Australian host broadcaster Network 10 and the Queensland Government.
“This will be a significant visit in the forward planning for our debut in China,” AVESCO Chief Executive Officer Wayne Cattach said.
“We are deeply honoured to be able to host these guests during the climax to our season to give them a taste of the colour, flair and fierce competitiveness of our great sport.
“The BigPond Grand Finale will be full of action with a twilight race on Saturday and two races on Sunday so the Chinese delegation will be able to see our sport first hand in a number of formats.
“Not only that they will also get the chance to take in the final of the Bartercard Miss V8 Supergirl competition and the sights of Sydney and the Gold Coast while they are here.”
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has played a key role in the planning of the Shanghai race with his Government signing an agreement with the Chinese Government to support the event and ensure it’s ongoing success.
Mr Beattie attended the official sanction agreement ceremony in China in July.
Shanghai Television will broadcast the BigPond Grand Finale live into China from Eastern Creek with Chinese commentary. Next year’s race from Shanghai will also be broadcast live throughout China and to Australia.
A press conference with AVESCO Chairman Tony Cochrane, Deputy Director of Shanghai Sports Bureau / Deputy Director of FASC and SAMSA President Mr Zhao YingHua, FASC Deputy Secretary General Mr Li Chun Wei, and SGG Vice President Mr Zhang XinGuo will be held at Eastern Creek Raceway on Friday at 11.30am.
All visiting Chinese dignitaries will be in attendance with V8 Supercar Championship Series major sponsors BigPond, Carlton and United Beverages, Holden, Ford and WPS. Network Ten will also be represented.
Release Date: 29/11/2004
AVESCO
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