Rustavi International Motorpark
|
Rustavi International Motorpark in April 2012 | |
| Location |
3700, Rustavi, 21st km of the Tbilisi-Tsiteli Bridge highway Rustavi 85323 Georgia |
|---|---|
| Time zone | GMT+4 |
| Capacity | 7,500 |
| Owner | Shota Abkhazava |
| Major events |
Legends Cars Championship Formula Alfa Championship Touring & GT Championship |
| Road Course | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 2.56 mi (4.1 km) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Banking |
Maximum rise 3.16% Maximum fall 2.5% Minimum slope 1.75% Maximum slope 8% |
| Lap record | 1:57.027 (Data Kajaia, MIA Force, 2013, Legends) |
The Rustavi International Motorpark is a motor racing venue located 20 kilometres (12 mi) south-east of Tbilisi, Georgia.
History
Rustavi was the last race track built in the USSR. Opened in 1978, the original Rustavi circuit was 2.5 miles (4.0 km) in length with a width of 18 metres (59 ft) at the start-finish straight, 14 metres (46 ft) in turns and 12 metres (39 ft) in straights. A karting track, automobile cross circuit and motorbike track were also included ino the complex, as well as grandstands for 500-800 people. A technical building and hotel were located nearby. The first races took place at the end of 1979. Until 1989 the track hosted eleven USSR Championship events; however, from 1989 until 2009 the track was not maintained and fell into decay.[1] In 2009 the private company[2] Stromos bought the site at a state auction and began redevelopment.
Reconstruction
Now the track is totally rebuilt with some configuration changes.[3] More than 250000 m3 of soil have been moved. New permanent concrete grandstand was erected, which would seat 2,000 people comfortably. 28 FIA-standard pit boxes were built with a Tribune 2, restaurant and conference hall upstairs. Race control tower is located at the third floor of the pitbuilding.
A tunnel for heavy trucks was made under the straight between Turn 2 and Turn 3. Pedestrian tunnel was added to connect main grandstand with the paddock. Spectators can get to the newly built Tribune 3 across a bridge with two Svanuri towers.
The track has been equipped with several engineering systems like video surveillance covering all the distance, 14 electronically controlled signaling lights, fiber-optic network, sound distribution and AMB timekeeping with 5 loops.
Start-finish line has been extended up to 1/2 mile to serve as a dragstrip.
Safety
After the reconstruction the raceway satisfies to the FIA Grade 2[4] safety regulations that allow to host the most of international racing series including GP2. All runoff areas are filled with gravel of special type, but the most critical ones have asphalted surface.
Events
In 2012 the track hosts events of different types, like 8-staged national Legends car racing and Formula Alfa championships[5] , drag racing, pairs racing, drifting, karting, motorcycles and club racing.[6] Tickets are priced at 5 GEL (about $3.00) and available at the gate. Major events are covered in local "Channel 1" (Georgian Public Broadcaster). Since July 14, 2012 local bookmaker "EuropeBet" gives a line[7] on the main race groups of the Georgian Open Championship.
Teams
The motorpark is home for several newly established national teams, such as Gulf Racing, Liberty Bank Racing, MIA Force, Team Ajara, VTB Bank, Sports Ministry Team and GPB Team.
Track specifications
| Specification | Size |
|---|---|
| Length | 4.140 kilometres (2.572 mi) |
| Minimum width | 12.5 metres (41 ft) |
| Maximum width | 21.5 metres (71 ft) |
| Length of start-finish straight | 667 metres (2,188 ft) |
| Maximum speed estimate for GP2 car | 282 kilometres per hour (175 mph) |
| Direction | Counterclockwise |
| Maximum longitudinal rise | 3.16% |
| Maximum longitudinal fall | 2.5% |
| Minimum lateral slope | 1.75% |
| Maximum lateral slope | 8% |
| Turns | 7 left, 5 right |
| Grandstand capacity at the first stage of operation | T1 - 2500, T2 - 2000, T3 - 3000 |
| Number of pits | 28 |
| Size of pit garage | 6 by 14 metres (20 ft × 46 ft) |
Layouts
-
Layout A - 4140 m
-
Layout B - 2140 m
-
Layout C - 1338 m
References
- ↑ "Self-governing city of Rustavi official website". 2011-09-07.
- ↑ "Tbilisi Week agency". 2011-12-22.
- ↑ "Self-governing city of Rustavi official website". 2011-09-07.
- ↑ "Professional Motorsport World magazine". 2011-04-01.
- ↑ "Rustavi 2 Broadcasting Company". 2012-04-29.
- ↑ "Georgian AutoSport Association official calendar". 2012-04-15.
- ↑ "Georgian AutoSport Association news". 2012-07-13.
- Professional Motorsport World, April-June 2011
- Saakashvili opens race track in Rustavi
- 1 TV: New racing track opened in Rustavi
- PrimeTime News: Michael Saakashvili opens reconstructed raceway in Rustavi (Georgian)
- Saakashvili at the raceway opening (Georgian)