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Next weekend the
FIA GT Championship heads to Zuhai in China for its final
round.
The Championship last raced there at the end of 1999, in a
race won by Chrysler Viper Team Oreca's pairing of Karl
Wendlinger, now with JMB Racing, and Olivier Beretta.
During the five seasons that have passed since that last
visit, the Championship has changed almost beyond
recognition. The eleventh round should see a fascinating
battle between the Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini and Saleen
cars - not forgetting the Vipers, the only car remaining
from the 1999 grid - while the Porsche and Ferrari cars will
battle for N-GT honours, joined for this round by a Nissan
350Z.
"I have some
good memories of Zhuhai, because we won the race with
Olivier Beretta in the Chrysler Viper," comments Karl
Wendlinger, now JMB Racing's lead driver. "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".
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In
preparation for the Bahrain GT Festival later this
month, Karl Wendlinger recently gave the President
of the Bahrain International Circuit, Sheikh Fawaz
al Kalifa, a ride in one of JMB Racing's Ferrari 360
GTC cars. |
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The no17
JMB Racing Ferrari 575 GTC has been in the thick of
the FIA GT action all year. Former F1 star Karl
Wendlinger being joined by an array of drivers
during the season, including Jaime Melo, Tarso
Marques, Toto Wolff,Pierre-Yves Corthals & Robert
Lechner. |
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JMB stalwart Bert Longin, after a difficult race in Dubai,
when the nr 17 and 18 Ferrari 575 GTC cars failed to finish
due to the heat and a transmission problem respectively, the
team is determined to finish the season on a high note, with
another podium.
"For me, it's really exciting to go to unknown continents to
race, and to see circuits where few European drivers have
competed," Bert Longin explained.
"I can't wait to get to China and to put in my first laps on
the Zhuhai International Circuit.
"After the last round of the Belgian GT Championship, which
Anthony Kumpen and I won, and where I set a new lap record
with the Chrysler Viper, I am more motivated than ever for
the last 2004 race of the FIA GT Championship, and to put in
a good performance with JMB Racing."
Bert will be driving with Sergey Zlobin in the nr 18
Ferrari, while Karl Wendlinger and Tarso Marques will share
the nr 17 and Peter Kutemann will drive the nr 19 car, his
team-mates yet to be announced.
ZUHAI: FULL ENTRY LIST
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