Chinese Motorsport Gets Boost

Racing car constructor GianPaolo Dallara, aerodynamicist Jean-Claude Migeot, engine engineer Bruno Engelric and lawyer Luca Birindelli have created a company, Asia Racing Technologies (ART) that aims to help build up China's motorsport infrastructure.

Birindelli, who once acted as Enzo Ferrari's lawyer, said of the project: "We are all very excited by this new venture.  I have been working in China for more than 15 years and have developed a strong network of connections, which is one of the keys to the long term success of ART.

"The invaluable experience and connections of GianPaolo Dallara, Jean-Claude Migeot and Bruno Engelric are the heart of our programme.  We have known each other for a long time and we think along the same lines; we know our vision is a great one and we believe that the partnership with our Chinese counterparts will help the long term success of China as a motorsport nation."

Dallara added: "We have been approached regarding new projects in China on many occasions but I have never felt the philosophy was right.  We believe the best recipe for China's motorsport success is when it involves Chinese people and this is why we are here. 

"We have a vast knowledge and expertise and using that, we believe we can save those relatively new to motorsport in China a lot of time and help them avoid the many mistakes we have all made over the years.

"It's a long-term deal, and the dream is to built a fully-Chinese team that will take part, with their own car, in the Le Mans 24 Hours. Then, perhaps, even in F1. I think they'll manage to."

ART plans to develop young engineer training, create a Chinese Motorsport valley near the Shanghai Formula One circuit, launch a Chinese racing driver school and, within five years, create a Chinese Formula Three Championship.