Opening its doors to speed junkies and motorheads in 2004, the Shanghai’s International Circuit race track is built to global standards and is host to the Formula 1 Grand Prix in April every year since its inauguration. The track was the best of its kind when it was first built, designed by some of the best and completed with an untiring workforce within the span of 1.5 years. The International Circuit race track gives Shanghai the international exposure it seeks as the largest city of China.
It is located quite far from downtown, in Jiading district in what was once swampland. One of the factors for choosing the site was its proximity to car parts manufacturers industry which would get a good boost with international customers coming in. Shanghai subway has the Shanghai Circuit stop at about less then 10 minutes from the complex and is serviced by metro line 11. Tickets for the big race in April may be bought from the official website months beforehand. They also sell parking tickets for visitors’ cars online. But that doesn’t mean the complex is off-limits otherwise. Visitors are allowed from 09:00 to 16:00 on normal days except Mondays, when it is closed. The admission price is RMB50 on these days, with student and senior discounts in effect. There are clean toilets around the complex but food variety is not too great.
Interesting features of the race course include the design concept. The track was inspired from the shang (上) character in Chinese script which is the first to appear in the name of the city ‘Shanghai’. The second grandstand is also distinguished in appearance owing to the umbrellas styled after the lotus which shade that seating area. The garages for the racing cars are reminiscent of the lakeside pavilions in Yu gardens.
The race track itself is quite challenging with 7-left and 9-right turns that really push the drivers to their limit. With a total length of 5.451kms, the course also has one of the longest straights at 1.2kms near the end. While turns 7 and 8 are well-loved by racers, it is the opening turns 1-4 that prove the most challenging in a race. Besides Formula 1 Grand Prix (a wildly popular global phenomenon) the race track has also hosted the A1 Grand Prix, V8 Supercar and MotoGP racing events.
Facilities in the complex are all top-of-the-line to accommodate not only the drivers and their teams but also the 200,000 spectators that the race track has capacity to hold. There are 2 grandstands and four grassland areas with the main grandstand having floors dedicated to VIP and special seating areas as well regulars and the commentary booths. The Commanders Tower is the speed monitoring equipment and the commanding officers who direct the racers during the game. Another building, looking like spread wings has a press center on one side and a restaurant in the other. 26 villas have also been erected in the living quarters for competing teams.