The Eastern Front: FIA GT Series in Baku

December 6, 2013
Story By
John Brooks

It has been said that motorsport started when the second car was built. Certainly man's competitive instincts are really evident once sat behind the wheel, the thrill of speed and the risks involved have captivated many since the dawn of racing in the late 19th Century. The first events were between Paris and other cities such as Rouen, Amsterdam, Berlin and Vienna, but the carnage that ensued from racing on public highways led to the setting up of tracks where the competitors would follow a predetermined course. This greatly improved the safety of the races, especially in controlling the crowds that flocked to witness these daring contests. The first Grand Prix, the French, was held in 1906 to the east of Le Mans, between three small towns. The next step was the construction of the first permanent circuit and on 6th July 1907 the first motor race was held at Brooklands, to the South-West of London. (It wasn't long before this exciting pastime was enthusiastically embraced by folks such as I.) Motor racing caught on in America and Europe and its stars became public heroes.

However not all parts of the globe were able to join in the festivals of speed that grew up around the automobile. The reasons for this were political, economic and cultural - sometimes singly, sometimes all three. In Asia for example there was little enthusiasm for motorsport in the post-war world until the 1960's when the Macau Grand Prix was first held and tracks started to emerge in Japan, a reflection of the growing motor industry in that country.

Since then the political and economic conditions that prevailed since World War II have changed, especially in Peoples' Republic of China and the former Soviet Russian Republics. Which is how, a week or so back, I came to find myself on the shores of the Caspian Sea, in Baku, the capital city of the Republic of Azerbaijan (go ahead, Google it) ... I was going motor racing.

In 2012 some bright spark arranged the City Challenge which was going to be a series of races on city streets at places such as Baku - and I seem to recall Miami on the list, or maybe I dreamt it. Taking the spectacle of motor sport to the streets for the people was not a new idea, some venues like Monte Carlo and Long Beach have worked and became established. Many others have not been a success, despite the ever present optimism of the promoters. In the case of Baku in 2012, yes there were problems, but as an event to introduce motorsport to the nation it was a success. For 2013 the authorities in Baku changed the location of the race and brought in Stéphane Ratel who could bring his grid of GT1 cars for the Baku World Challenge. This would be GT Racing at the very highest levels.

The opportunity to show the wider world the charms of Baku and Azerbaijan was not missed, and aside from the petrol heads such as myself there were many travel writers and journalists along for the week. A long term aim of the country is to encourage tourism with the revenue streams and consequent employment that will accrue from that activity, there is a fair way to go but the will is there to make it happen. The flight times are comparable from Europe to Dubai, some might find Baku more to their taste. So before the racing commenced, there was some sightseeing to do. Petrol head is an appropriate expression that can be used in Baku, as it was one of the pioneers of oil production back in the 19th Century. The first derricks and oil tankers were constructed here, even before Pennsylvania. We visited the house of the Nobel family (yes, of the Nobel Peace Prize and Dynamite namesake), their company Branobel was one of the giants of the early days in oil business. We also visited the old walled city, home to the Shah centuries back. Prior to that time Azerbaijan has long been regarded as the gateway between Asia and Eastern Europe being part of the Silk Route, linking China, the Indian subcontinent, Persia, Europe and Arabia. All very cultural and actually fascinating, I learnt a great deal.

Competing with the attractions of the old are many avant garde buildings, a reflection of the prosperity brought to Azerbaijan by the export of oil. This striking hall, the Heydar Aliyev Center, is the work of British based architect, Zaha Hadid. It houses various exhibitions and I was immediately taken with one such display.

The collection of former Presidential cars grabbed my attention. This Zil 41047 certainly has some serious attitude, even the hooligans circling the M25 near me would not want to mess with this guy. Should have had white walls and a gangsta lean though, William Devaughn would have approved....

The Chaika GAZ-13 was only for VIP's, regular Joes like me would have to wait for the bus... Meet the new boss, Same as the old boss...

The engines would be firing up soon and it was time to go to the track and see how the various parties had pulled together a circuit out of public highways. The whole affair would be held in the shadow of the National Flag Square, with the flag measuring 70 by 35 metres (nearly the size of a football field), flying on a pole 162 metres high.

Like all street courses, compromises had to made to accommodate the differing requirements of ordinary road users and race cars. Even the entrance to the pit lane had trees that needed protection.

In hindsight more time was needed to prepare the course, a lesson that will be learnt for future events. The teams and drivers conducted their own inspections once the roads were closed.

They examined the new chicanes that had been introduced to reduce the speeds of the GT racers.

All around them the work continued non-stop. The Officials had a few sleepless nights trying to bring order and safety to the chaos around them.

Even nine-time World Rally Driver Champion, Sébastien Loeb had his say.

To kick the event off publically the cars were driven into the centre of the city with a police escort. The style of driving on the roads of Baku is, well, interesting, to say the least. While waiting for the cars to arrive, a police car took off in front of us going the wrong way against five lanes of rush hour traffic, no one batted an eyelid nor got excited. In the past five years or so the sale of up market automotive brands has really taken off in Azerbaijan; BMW, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and Audi being almost commonplace, plenty of Bentleys, Ferraris and Lamborghinis to be seen as well. This is fertile ground for developing motorsport, especially GTs.

Next day, all concerned breathed a sigh of relief as the work was finally finished and track action got underway. No one was happier than Stéphane Ratel on seeing the cars blast away from the pits.

The race was also going to decide the 2013 FIA GT Series with the WRT Audi R8 LMS of Laurens Vanthoor and Stéphane Ortelli being the favourites.

Their main opponents, Frank Stippler and Edward Sandstrom in another WRT Audi gave the lead duo a big advantage for the Qualifying Race. The personable Swede unaccountably tried to lunge past a Corvette into the final chicane, damaging the latter beyond repair and earning a five place grid penalty.

Supporting the GT Race were an intrepid bunch who "demonstrated" some 70's Grand Prix cars...

Even at reduced speeds this required some intestinal fortitude to guide a Cosworth powered racer in these narrow confines...the noise was fantastic and got everyone into the racing spirit.

The weather cheered up considerably for Sunday's races and with a few delays the Qualification Race started under the warmth of the Sun. The Flame Towers, one of Baku's most famous landmarks, look their best in the sunshine.

The noise and proximity of the action at a street venue has to be experienced to be understood.

My vantage point some 12 floors up had the advantage of not having to shoot through the wire mesh fencing. It was also unlikely that I would be hit be any debris.

From up high, you could really see how narrow the confines of the circuit's walls were.

The Qualifying race was won by the WRT Audi of Rene Rast and Niki Mayr-Melnhof, but the favourites were just behind.

A large crowd of locals gathered to cheer on the heroes on track.

Everyone is a photographer these days, I'll bet his results were better than mine.

At the start of the Main Race Ortelli in #11 Audi got the jump he needed and lead the pack into the first chicane, avoiding the ensuing carnage.

The trio of rumbling Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 entries were a crowd favourite, ending up third.

The Lamborghinis were popular with the spectators.

The Trackspeed Porsche team had a very thin weekend, both 911s retiring.

First lap incidents knocked out one potential winner, the Marc VDS BMW Z4 of Maxime Martin and Nicky Catsburg.

In a one hour race it is soon time for the mandatory pit stops, here the #11 cemented their advantage over #13. The latter had a disastrous stop when it's on board jacking system failed, much time was lost and the Championship disappeared.

The McLaren MP4-12C of Rob Bell and Kevin Estre had a great run to second from way back in the pack on lap one.

Ortelli and Vanthoor were not to be denied and crossed the line as race winners and FIA GT Champions. On balance it was the right result, but Stéphane was mightily relieved when the flag fell.

All that was left to do was to collect the trophies and, I nearly forgot, the cheques.

It was quite an experience to be a motorsport pioneer in Baku, one that I would not have missed for the world. With a few of the rough edges knocked off, the race has the potential to be as prestigious as any. The aim is to build up a reputation, that in time, might rival Macau or Long Beach. The warmth of the reception from our hosts meant that most of us on the trip would like to come back in 2014, I know I would. -John Brooks

The Eastern Front: FIA GT Series in Baku

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