Motorsport chiefs eye the F1 stage
Just as China has been growing in stature as a global power in trade and finance, the FIA (international motorsport's governing body) has been eyeing the country as the next frontier for major expansion.
With a population of more than one billion and a growing middle class, it is not surprising that FIA chairman Max Moseley and Formula One Constructors' Association supremo Bernie Ecclestone have been smoothing a path for China to become part of the international motorsport scene.
China, realising it is in the fast lane to achieve international status, has been more than amenable to the overtures from Moseley and Ecclestone. The Federation of Automobile Sports of the People's Republic of China accepted a recommendation to end the hugely successful 555 Hong Kong to Beijing straight-line rally last year in preference to staging an FIA-sanctioned cloverleaf format event just north of the capital.
Evidence that FIA was at work behind the scenes came in the form of an 'unofficial' undertaking that if the new-look China Rally - which was staged for the first time last June - was successful, entry to the World Rally Championship would be a formality.
The Rally Commission sub-committee of FIA has still to formalise its calendar for next year but, if China misses out, 1999 would be odds-on.
Equally, FIA has dangled the ultimate carrot of a Formula One race in China and the authorities have responded positively to the offer.
A purpose-built F1 track, which meets all FIA requirements, has risen from what were once rice fields on the outskirts of the Guangdong province coastal port of Zhuhai.
It was officially opened last year with the Marlboro GT Endurance Race taking top billing.
Though facilities were far from finished, the meeting went ahead and drew acclamation from drivers, team officials and the media.
Again, officials of the Zhuhai International Circuit (ZIC) were told it would be only a matter of time before the international F1 circus brought its show to town.
It is worth noting the circuit was built largely because of the foresight of the Zhuhai Municipality, which provided the land, and an overseas consortium, which provided the cash and expertise.
Once the Zhuhai track had been completed, plans were revealed by Pang Chijia, then vice-chairman of the China Motorsport Association, for two other circuits - Zhuangzhou in Beijing and Binhai in Tianjin - to be built.
Motorsport generates business far beyond the track and international manufacturers of consumer goods would be eager to advertise.
Cigarette advertising, long the cornerstone of F1's financial success, is drying up in Europe because of tough anti-tobacco legislation.
China introduced anti-smoking legislation three years ago but it is not as draconian as in a number of European countries, which will not even allow the cars to carry cigarette logos or advertising. The mainland allows BAT through its 555 brand to sponsor the China Rally because it falls outside the definition of being 'stadium' advertising.
Whether the Chinese authorities will define a motor racing circuit as a 'stadium' remains to be seen. Delicate negotiations remain between the ZIC management, Chinese motorsport officials and the government over cigarette advertising.
If China opts in favour of even limited cigarette advertising, the country has the potential to become not only the Asian capital of motorsport, but a major player on a global scale.
