10.11.2004 The FIA GT teams have arrived at the Zuhai circuit in China ahead of the final round of the championship, their cars and equipment being delivered in a series of 40-foot containers for this fly-away race

The FIA GT teams have arrived at the Zuhai circuit in China ahead of the final round of the championship, their cars and equipment being delivered in a series of 40-foot containers for this fly-away race.

After a hectic year that has seen the sportscar series boom in popularity, this race presents the final opportunity for many of the teams and drivers to stamp their mark on 2004.

With the overall driver's and team's titles having been clinched once again by the all-conquering BMS Scuderia Italia outfit, the pressure is off the Italian team, and for Zuhai they have juggled their driver line-up.

With commitments keeping Luca Cappellari away from China, Fabrizio Gollin has stood down from the no 2 BMS Ferrari 550 Maranello, in order that the pair remain as join champion's. In their place is an all new line-up which includes the vastly experienced Luca Drudi, as well as Frédéric Dor, founder and Chairman of Care, who have funded the 550 Maranello development and race programme.

Just before boarding his place to China, Frédéric commented, "I am really pleased to be able to take this opportunity to drive in Zhuhai.  The Championship outcome is now known, and it will be very good to drive the Ferrari once again. BMS should be congratulated on their fantastic work and results, and we all hope that we can end the season with another success."

With 2003 FIA GT Champion Matteo Bobbi, and new partner Gabriel Gardel, having put a difficult season behind them with victory in Dubai, this pair, along with the regular drivers pedaling the no 3 Care Racing entry, will be seeking to wrap the season up in style.

"Honestly, I have no idea what it will be like in Zhuhai," Swiss driver Gardel explained. "But Dubai was new to us too, and we had a very good race. I am pleased to be going to China; neither Matteo or I will have any pressure, we will just concentrate on going as fast as we can. It would be good to finish the season with another strong race." As usual the red cars will be lugging ballast, with the no 2 and no 3 both carrying 100kg.

Behind them, GPC Squadra Corse and JMB Racing are slugging it out in the team's classification, with twelve points separating them, while their drivers are also locking in battle. With Gianpaolo Coppi's all-new GPC outfit having been formed after a split within JMB last winter, the rivalry gains an extra edge.

JMB Racing's former F1 star Karl Wendlinger won the last FIA GT race to be held at Zuhai, five years ago, and he recalls: "I remember there was a very good atmosphere during the race weekend, with quite a lot of spectators. It was a very interesting race. I have heard that a lot has changed since 1999, so I'm looking forward to catching a glimpse of the new Zhuhai".

Up against the the three Ferrari 550 Maranellos and four 575 GTCs, will be pitched the ultra-quick American-built Saleen S7-R, and of course sportscar racing's newest sensation, the Maserati MC12.

Ever since it came blinking into the daylight back in January, the MC12 has been at the centre of attention, whether when blasting to victory in just its second ever race, a result that returned Maserati to the winner's circle after a 37 year absence, or causing controversy over its adherence to the 'spirit of the regulations'.

With the car recent homologated by the FIA and thus cleared to compete fully, Zuhai will be the first chance the blue cars will have to officially score series' points. With China being eyed up by Maserati as a huge potential future market, the blue cars will be gunning for victory.