Beijing dropped over 'huge' losses

The Chinese capital made its debut in the second season of the "World Cup of Motorsport" last November but the cost of putting on the race as well as the Shanghai round has proved too great for the promoters, Haiyi.

"We have worked our socks off to get everything right for both rounds over the past few months," said Guan Yunke, Haiyi's deputy general manager.

"But the financial burden to stage two races in a year is overwhelming with huge losses. Therefore we decided to drop the Beijing leg next season."

Guan said preparing the street circuit for the Beijing race had cost about 20 million yuan (about $2.6 million) and attempts to offset these and other expenses through sponsorship from local businesses had proved disappointing.

"Despite its growing popularity, A1GP remains a hard-sell to sponsors," Guan said.

The 2006-07 season Shanghai race will take place on the state of the art International Circuit, also home to the Formula One Grand Prix, on the weekend of April 12-15.