09/11/2006
NEWS STORY
A1 Team Lebanon arrives in China this week for the first Asian event in this season's A1GP World Cup of Motorsport. The 2008 Olympic city of Beijing will play host to the Series with the event taking place on a temporary street circuit, from 10 – 12 November.
Regular drivers Basil Shaaban, Khalil Beschir and rookie Alex Khateeb will be travelling East for the first of the three Asian races which round off this year's events in A1GP. Graham Rahal has opted to focus his attention on his forthcoming planned Champ Car debut and will no longer race with A1 Team Lebanon.
The Beijing circuit is located around 20 minutes from the city centre in the Yizhang area, part of the Beijing Economic and Technical Development zone. Set against this urban landscape, the 3km track features long straights, 90- degree corners and tight hairpins. It snakes through Jingkai Convention and Exhibition Centre land and public roads, in the south east of the capital.
All the drivers are looking forward to their first visit to the Chinese capital. Beschir says, "I think the Chinese fans will love the arrival of A1GP in Beijing. I doubt that they will have experienced the noise and excitement that this level of international motor racing creates and I'm sure it will be a very popular event."
Shaaban adds, "Street circuits are always very challenging and I'm sure this one will be no exception. Showcasing A1GP in Beijing will, I'm sure, attract worldwide attention. It's a great precursor for the Olympics and I think we'll put on a great spectacle not only for the spectators, but for the millions of television viewers around the globe as well."
Khateeb is also looking forward to the challenge of China, saying, "I'm very excited about visiting Beijing, and to be driving in the capital. For me, there's the added pressure of a street circuit, as it'll be the first time that I've driven in this environment. I know that there won't be the luxury of wide run-off areas and the concrete walls will be close, and as always I'm going to be very focused on my racing this weekend."