Baku World Challenge

The Baku World Challenge was an international motorsport competition in Baku, Azerbaijan, held on a temporary street circuit on closed public roads.

Baku World Challenge
Original Circuit (2012)
LocationBaku, Azerbaijan
Time zoneUTC+04:00
Coordinates40°23′43″N 49°52′56″E
Broke ground12 October 2012 (2012-10-12)
Opened25 October 2012 (2012-10-25)
Closed2 November 2014 (2014-11-02)
Former namesCity Challenge Baku (2012)
Major eventsBlancpain Sprint Series
(2013–2014)
Street Circuit (2014)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length3.890 km (2.417 miles)
Turns13
Race lap record1:29.488 (Belgium Laurens Vanthoor, Audi R8 LMS ultra, 2014, GT3)
Street Circuit (2013)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length4.380 km (2.722 miles)
Turns13
Race lap record1:42.583 (Germany René Rast, Audi R8 LMS ultra, 2013, GT3)
Original Circuit (2012)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.144 km (1.332 miles)
Turns14
Race lap record1:03.939 (United Kingdom Sean Edwards, Porsche 911 GT3 R, 2012, GT3)
This article is about the racing circuit used by Blancpain Sprint Series. For the circuit used by the Formula One, see Baku City Circuit.
Baku World Challenge
Blancpain Sprint Series
First race2012
Last race2014
Lapsca. 30
Duration1 hour
Previous namesCity Challenge Baku (2012)
Baku World Challenge (2013–2014)
Most wins (driver)Belgium Laurens Vanthoor (2)
Most wins (team)Belgium Belgian Audi Club Team WRT (2)
Most wins (manufacturer)Germany Audi (2)

History

2012

In 2012, the City Challenge GmbH organized a stand-alone event for GT3-spec cars in Baku. It was called City Challenge Baku. The races were held on a 2.144 km (1.332 mi) street circuit around the Government House.[1][2] Gymkhana drifters and entertainment activities were the supporting program. According to the promoter, the event had 42,000 visitors.[3]

2013

In 2013, the finale of the FIA GT Championship was held in Baku as Baku World Challenge. The series used a new street circuit close to the Baku Crystal Hall and the National Flag Square. It had a length of 4.380 km (2.722 mi). The event was organized by Jean-François Chaumont and the former Formula 1 driver Thierry Boutsen.[1][2]

2014

The Baku World Challenge was the last race of the Blancpain Sprint Series in 2014.[4] The event was discontinued following the announcement that Formula One would hold a street race in Baku from 2016. The circuit was shortened to 3.890 km (2.417 mi).[2]

Previous winners
Season Date Winning Drivers Car Team
2012 28 October France Frédéric Makowiecki
Netherlands Stef Dusseldorp		 McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Hexis Racing
2013 24 November Monaco Stéphane Ortelli
Belgium Laurens Vanthoor		 Audi R8 LMS ultra Belgian Audi Club Team WRT
2014 2 November Belgium Laurens Vanthoor
Brazil César Ramos		 Audi R8 LMS ultra Belgian Audi Club Team WRT

Lap records

The official race lap records at the Baku World Challenge are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleEvent
Street Circuit: 3.890 km (2014)[2]
GT31:29.488[5]Laurens Vanthoor[6]Audi R8 LMS ultra2014 Baku World Challenge
Street Circuit: 4.380 km (2013)[2]
GT31:42.583[7]René RastAudi R8 LMS ultra2013 Baku World Challenge
Original Circuit: 2.144 km (2012)[2]
GT31:03.939[8]Sean EdwardsPorsche 911 (997 II) GT3 R2012 City Challenge Baku

References
  1. Fabian Stein (20 November 2013). "Wie die Challenge nach Baku kam". adrivo Sportpresse GmbH. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  2. "Baku City Circuit - Racing Circuits". Racingcircuits.info. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  3. "Overwhelming media coverage of Baku event". City Challenge GmbH. Archived from the original on 3 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  4. "Zolder round of the Blancpain GT Series postponed by a week". SRO Motorsports Group. 13 January 2014. Archived from the original on 17 February 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  5. "Blancpain Sprint Series Baku 2014". Racingsportscars. 2 November 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  6. "Blancpain GT Series - Sprint Cup Pro 2014 standings". Driver Database. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  7. "Baku World Challenge 2013 FIA GT Series Result List Main Race - Official" (PDF). Blancpain Timing. 24 November 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  8. "Baku World Challenge 2013 FIA GT Series Result List Main Race - Official". Racingsportscars. 28 October 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
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