A1 looks to China as fast lane for growth

BEIJING, Oct 31 (Reuters) A1 Grand Prix organisers are hoping Team China's rapid improvement in the World Cup of Motorsport will capture the imagination of the public on the streets of Beijing next month.

The Chinese capital will host the third round of the series, pitting 23 national teams against each other in identical cars on a 3.2-km street circuit in the southeast of the city on November 12.

Shanghai hosted a race in the inaugural championship last April and will do so again this season, making China the only country to host two rounds.

''It was not very difficult to persuade people that we needed a second race in China,'' David Clare, A1's chief operating officer, told reporters today.

''From the series perspective and from all our partners in the various 23 countries that compete, China is a very important market.'' The series, which organisers said lost at least 0 million in its first season, is focused on countries, like China, which otherwise lack a major presence in motor racing.

The Beijing leg was about inspiring people to come and support the national team, even if they had no interest in racing, he said.

''Putting on a red and gold shirt and supporting the national team is as important as whether or not you want to watch the race or not. It's the same as football or any other sport,'' he added.

For a country where motor racing retains a low profile, Clare thinks Team China's progress has been impressive.

China came 22nd of 25 teams and managed only six points in the first season, but already has eight points after the first two rounds this year in the Netherlands and Czech Republic.

''Team China, particularly, has improved from being five seconds off the pace to now being in the front group of cars over the course of one year,'' he said.

''They have made significant progress for a team that was not expected to achieve anything.'' REUTERS PDS VV1711