The Rustavi International Motorpark is a motor racing venue located 20 km (12 mi) south-east of Tbilisi, Georgia.
 | |
 Rustavi International Motorpark | |
| Location | 3700, Rustavi, 21st km of the Tbilisi-Tsiteli Bridge highway Rustavi 85323 Georgia |
|---|---|
| Time zone | UTC+04:00 |
| Coordinates | 41°34′14″N 44°56′56″E / 41.57056°N 44.94889°E |
| Capacity | 7,500 |
| Owner | Shota Abkhazava (2012–present) |
| Opened | 1978 Re-opened: 29 April 2012 |
| Closed | 1989 |
| Major events | Former: TCR International Series (2017) Formula Alfa Championship (2012–2018) Soviet Formula 3 Championship (1979–1987) |
| 'A' Circuit (2012–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 4.140 km (2.560 miles) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Banking | Maximum rise 3.16% Maximum fall 2.5% Minimum slope 1.75% Maximum slope 8% |
| Race lap record | 1:42.657 ( Pepe Oriola, SEAT León TCR, 2017, TCR) |
| 'B' Circuit (2012–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 2.140 km (1.323 miles) |
| Turns | 6 |
| 'C' Circuit (2012–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 1.338 km (0.831 miles) |
| Turns | 6 |
| Original Road Course (1978–1989) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 4.039 km (2.510 miles) |
| Turns | 11 |
History edit
Rustavi was the last race track built in the USSR. Opened in 1978, the original Rustavi circuit was 2.510 miles (4.039 km) in length with a width of 18 metres (20 yd) at the start-finish straight, 14 metres (15 yd) in turns and 12 metres (13 yd) in straights. A karting track, automobile cross circuit and motorbike track were also included in the complex, as well as grandstands for 500–800 people. A technical building and hotel were located nearby. The first races took place at the end of 1979. Until 1989 the track hosted eleven USSR Championship events; however, from 1989 until 2009 the track was not maintained and fell into decay.[1] In 2009 the private company[2] Stromos bought the site at a state auction and began redevelopment.
Reconstruction edit
After being bought by Somos the track was totally rebuilt and has multiple configuration changes.[3] More than 250000 m3 of soil have been moved. New permanent concrete grandstand was erected, which would seat 2,000 people comfortably. 28 FIA-standard pit boxes were built with a Tribune 2, restaurant and conference hall upstairs. Race control tower is located at the third floor of the pitbuilding.
A tunnel for heavy trucks was made under the straight between Turn 2 and Turn 3. A pedestrian tunnel was added to connect main grandstand with the paddock. Spectators can get to the newly built Tribune 3 across a bridge with two Svanuri towers.
The track has been equipped with several engineering systems like video surveillance covering the whole track, 14 electronically controlled signaling lights, a fiber-optic network, sound distribution and AMB timekeeping with 5 loops.
The start-finish line has been extended half mile to serve as a dragstrip.
Safety edit
After the reconstruction the raceway satisfies to the FIA Grade 2[4] safety regulations that allow to host the most of international racing series including GP2. All runoff areas are filled with gravel of special type, but the most critical ones have asphalted surface.
Events edit
In 2012 the track hostEd events of different types, like 8-staged national Legends car racing, the Formula Alfa championships[5] , drag racing, pairs racing, drifting, karting, motorcycles and club racing.[6] Tickets are priced at 5 GEL (about $3.00) and available at the gate. Major events are covered in local "Channel 1" (Georgian Public Broadcaster). Since July 14, 2012 the local bookmaker "EuropeBet" has given A line[7] on the main race groups of the Georgian Open Championship.
Teams edit
The motorpark is home for several newly established national teams, such as Gulf Racing, Liberty Bank Racing, MIA Force, Team Ajara, VTB Bank, Sports Ministry Team and GPB Team.
Track specifications edit
| Specification | Size |
|---|---|
| Length | 4.140 km (2.572 mi) |
| Minimum width | 12.5 m (13.7 yd) |
| Maximum width | 21.5 m (23.5 yd) |
| Length of start-finish straight | 667 m (729 yd) |
| Maximum speed estimate for GP2 car | 282 km/h (175 mph) |
| Direction | Counterclockwise |
| Maximum longitudinal rise | 3.16% |
| Maximum longitudinal fall | 2.5% |
| Minimum lateral slope | 1.75% |
| Maximum lateral slope | 8% |
| Turns | 7 left, 5 right |
| Grandstand capacity at the first stage of operation | T1 - 2500, T2 - 2000, T3 - 3000 |
| Number of pits | 28 |
| Size of pit garage | 6 by 14 metres (20 ft × 46 ft) |
Layouts edit
-
Layout A - 4.140 km (2.572 mi) -
Layout B - 2.140 km (1.330 mi) -
Layout C - 1.338 km (0.831 mi)
Lap records edit
As of April 2017, the fastest official race lap records at the Rustavi International Motorpark are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 'A' Circuit: 4.140 km (2012–present) | ||||
| TCR Touring Car | 1:42.657 | Pepe Oriola |
SEAT León TCR | 2017 Rustavi TCR International Series round |
| Formula Alfa | 1:42.992[8] |  Nika Adejshvili |
AKKS Formula Alfa | 2012 Rustavi International Challenge Formula Alfa race |
References edit
- ^ "Self-governing city of Rustavi official website". 2011-09-07. Archived from the original on 2013-01-07.
- ^ "Tbilisi Week agency". 2011-12-22. Archived from the original on 2013-01-07.
- ^ "Self-governing city of Rustavi official website". 2011-09-07. Archived from the original on 2013-01-07.
- ^ "Professional Motorsport World magazine" (PDF). 2011-04-01. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-12-22.
- ^ "Rustavi 2 Broadcasting Company". 2012-04-29. Archived from the original on 2013-05-01. Retrieved 2012-07-30.
- ^ "Georgian AutoSport Association official calendar". 2012-04-15. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
- ^ "Georgian AutoSport Association news". 2012-07-13. Archived from the original on 2016-03-11.
- ^ "Bergrennen und Rundstrecke Georgien 2012 8. Rustavi International Challenge 3.-4.11.2012 Formel Alfa Rennen 2, 12 Runden". Retrieved 16 November 2022.
- Professional Motorsport World, April-June 2011
- Saakashvili opens race track in Rustavi
- 1 TV: New racing track opened in Rustavi[permanent dead link]
- PrimeTime News: Michael Saakashvili opens reconstructed raceway in Rustavi[permanent dead link] (in Georgian)
- Saakashvili at the raceway opening (in Georgian)
External links edit
- Official site
- Autosport in USSR. Circuit in Rustavi (in Russian)