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VROOM! Supercar racing hits accelerator
By Lu Nengneng |
June 21, 2012, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
YU Bo, a pioneer in Chinese supercar racing, once explained the fascination of the sport: "Supercars are more than luxury," he said. "To possess luxury, you need only money, but for supercars, you also need driving skills."
Unique Motorsport, a company Yu established in 2008, hosted the 2012 Super Club Challenge at Shanghai International Circuit at the end of last month. It was the second time the company hosted the nation's biggest supreme racing car party.
In the four-day event, supercar clubs from Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Hangzhou and other major cities brought more than 200 car owners and their supercars to the circuit, including 50 Porsches, 50 Ferraris, 30 Lamborghinis, and 10 Aston Martins.
At the Super Club Challenge, Unique Motorsport arranged a parade of supercars and organized circuit practice, a 0-400M drag race and a formally registered championship Boss GT. The whole event took on the air of a motor-racing carnival. "With the development of China's economy, more and more people in China can afford supercars," said Chen Tong, the chief coordinator of Super Club Challenge. "They possess cars with high-performance potential but lack activities that allow them to enjoy the charm of speed. Unique Motorsport aims at providing these people with a race platform, filling a gap in the market."
As one of the senior members of Unique Motorsport, Chen has witnessed the rise of Chinese supercar culture.
In June 2008, the company hosted its first track day at Shanghai International Circuit. That was also the first time Shanghai Circuit was opened to the public, creating a buzz throughout the automobile community.
Since then, supercar gatherings have grown by leaps and bounds.
In 2008, only a dozen cars were on the track, and the highest-level models were Lamborghinis. This year, up to five exotic Ferrari Enzos made their debut, enchanting onlookers.
Chen said the growth of the Super Club Challenge hinges on the fact that more wealthy young people have developed a taste for motor racing.
"China's first-generation entrepreneurs had golf, horse clubs and yachts," he said. "Supercars represent speed and passion, and therefore attract the younger generation."
Rich second-generation
Drivers coming to the circuit include both bold new entrepreneurs and the inheritors of "old" money. The latter, Chen said, all prepare hard to take over family businesses and have their own source of income. Unique Motor has little connection with those rich second-generation loafers. "Participating in supercar racing generates a lot of extra consumption," said Chen. "Many of their parents would hardly provide them with unlimited resources. The young bought the cars mainly for the purpose of showing off."
Any driver, as long as he is fit both physically and mentally, can engage in the sport.
In the first three days of the challenge this year, the circuit was open for exercise and timing. There was also the captivating 0-400M straight track speeding, with two cars racing with each others. The grand stand was open to all.
"Though many people used to regard supercar racing as just the rich showing off, public opinion is changing," said Chen. "The challenge has many spectators who love cars and aren't envious of these car owners." This time the challenge had about 200 participating supercars, a decline from last year's 500. But the smaller number produced a better effect, according to Chen.
The circuit has a limited capacity and had trouble accommodating the load of last year's entries. Because of traffic restrictions, some people barred from last year's event vented their anger by blocking lanes, causing unpleasant incidents.
As host, Unique Motorsport sets fees for participants. The fees are low and mostly cover costs.
"We don't want to charge too much," Chen said. "People join the challenge out of interest and friendship. Many car owners spend a good deal of money just getting to Shanghai." Unique Motorsport's revenue mainly comes from racing car modifications and track services such as vehicle maintenance. Taking into consideration the costs of Super Club Challenge, the company is still in the red but prefers building its brand recognition to making profits just now.
Chen said Unique Motorsport places heavy emphasis on training to set the foundation for the development of the supercar racing culture. The company holds at least two track days per month, explaining track regulations and helping drivers hone their skills.
Advanced drivers
As a participating member of the Federation of Automobile Sports of China, Unique Motorsport also provides racing courses for advanced drivers. Last year, 11 attained their international Class C licenses, and many got national Class E and regional Class G licenses.
Unique Motorsport launched a special race for them this year: the Boss GT. More than 20 drivers participated in the race. "These entrepreneurs ran like real professional drivers," Chen said. "They worked very hard. I was extremely moved seeing them on the podium."
He added that Unique Motorsport hopes to develop a real GT race, the highest-level competition in the motorsport, and the racing federation has been very supportive.
"We host the Super Club Challenge hoping to help people understand that these races are entirely different from illegal street races, and to promote a sense of safety and social responsibility in the sport," said Yu.
Unique Motorsport, a company Yu established in 2008, hosted the 2012 Super Club Challenge at Shanghai International Circuit at the end of last month. It was the second time the company hosted the nation's biggest supreme racing car party.
In the four-day event, supercar clubs from Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Hangzhou and other major cities brought more than 200 car owners and their supercars to the circuit, including 50 Porsches, 50 Ferraris, 30 Lamborghinis, and 10 Aston Martins.
At the Super Club Challenge, Unique Motorsport arranged a parade of supercars and organized circuit practice, a 0-400M drag race and a formally registered championship Boss GT. The whole event took on the air of a motor-racing carnival. "With the development of China's economy, more and more people in China can afford supercars," said Chen Tong, the chief coordinator of Super Club Challenge. "They possess cars with high-performance potential but lack activities that allow them to enjoy the charm of speed. Unique Motorsport aims at providing these people with a race platform, filling a gap in the market."
As one of the senior members of Unique Motorsport, Chen has witnessed the rise of Chinese supercar culture.
In June 2008, the company hosted its first track day at Shanghai International Circuit. That was also the first time Shanghai Circuit was opened to the public, creating a buzz throughout the automobile community.
Since then, supercar gatherings have grown by leaps and bounds.
In 2008, only a dozen cars were on the track, and the highest-level models were Lamborghinis. This year, up to five exotic Ferrari Enzos made their debut, enchanting onlookers.
Chen said the growth of the Super Club Challenge hinges on the fact that more wealthy young people have developed a taste for motor racing.
"China's first-generation entrepreneurs had golf, horse clubs and yachts," he said. "Supercars represent speed and passion, and therefore attract the younger generation."
Rich second-generation
Drivers coming to the circuit include both bold new entrepreneurs and the inheritors of "old" money. The latter, Chen said, all prepare hard to take over family businesses and have their own source of income. Unique Motor has little connection with those rich second-generation loafers. "Participating in supercar racing generates a lot of extra consumption," said Chen. "Many of their parents would hardly provide them with unlimited resources. The young bought the cars mainly for the purpose of showing off."
Any driver, as long as he is fit both physically and mentally, can engage in the sport.
In the first three days of the challenge this year, the circuit was open for exercise and timing. There was also the captivating 0-400M straight track speeding, with two cars racing with each others. The grand stand was open to all.
"Though many people used to regard supercar racing as just the rich showing off, public opinion is changing," said Chen. "The challenge has many spectators who love cars and aren't envious of these car owners." This time the challenge had about 200 participating supercars, a decline from last year's 500. But the smaller number produced a better effect, according to Chen.
The circuit has a limited capacity and had trouble accommodating the load of last year's entries. Because of traffic restrictions, some people barred from last year's event vented their anger by blocking lanes, causing unpleasant incidents.
As host, Unique Motorsport sets fees for participants. The fees are low and mostly cover costs.
"We don't want to charge too much," Chen said. "People join the challenge out of interest and friendship. Many car owners spend a good deal of money just getting to Shanghai." Unique Motorsport's revenue mainly comes from racing car modifications and track services such as vehicle maintenance. Taking into consideration the costs of Super Club Challenge, the company is still in the red but prefers building its brand recognition to making profits just now.
Chen said Unique Motorsport places heavy emphasis on training to set the foundation for the development of the supercar racing culture. The company holds at least two track days per month, explaining track regulations and helping drivers hone their skills.
Advanced drivers
As a participating member of the Federation of Automobile Sports of China, Unique Motorsport also provides racing courses for advanced drivers. Last year, 11 attained their international Class C licenses, and many got national Class E and regional Class G licenses.
Unique Motorsport launched a special race for them this year: the Boss GT. More than 20 drivers participated in the race. "These entrepreneurs ran like real professional drivers," Chen said. "They worked very hard. I was extremely moved seeing them on the podium."
He added that Unique Motorsport hopes to develop a real GT race, the highest-level competition in the motorsport, and the racing federation has been very supportive.
"We host the Super Club Challenge hoping to help people understand that these races are entirely different from illegal street races, and to promote a sense of safety and social responsibility in the sport," said Yu.
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