Beijing replaces Sonoma WTCC round

The World Touring Car Championship has confirmed it will hold a third race in China this season at the Beijing Goldenport Motor Park circuit on Oct. 5. The event, round nine on the WTCC calendar, replaces the American event at Sonoma, which had been scheduled for Sept. 14.

Logistical difficulties have been blamed by series organizers for the changes. Key among these was the cancellation of the Sept. 17 departure of a ship carrying WTCC cars and equipment to Shanghai from Oakland harbor. The next vessel, leaving on Sept. 21, would not have arrived in Shanghai until Oct. 9, thereby jeopardizing the Shanghai race on Oct. 12.

"We had to face a logistic challenge, and after consulting with the WTCC stakeholders, we went through all possible scenarios, including date changes and air freight," said Eurosport COO Francois Ribeiro. "But we came to the conclusion that keeping Sonoma on the schedule was unviable.

"The Chinese Touring Car Championship promoter, our partner in China, has quickly reacted to change its CTCC schedule and put together an alternative event at Beijing, the week before Shanghai."

Steve Page, Sonoma Raceway president said: "We are sorry to miss the terrific on-track action that the WTCC has brought to Sonoma the last two years, but wish the best to everyone involved with the series as they pursue this new schedule."