Vietnamese motorbike journalists, sponsored by Rebel USA Motor Corp, have had a chance to visit this race track during a business trip to Shanghai, China. It was interesting to explore the architecture of this race track even during the time there was no racing. 

Shanghai race track from distance

From the introductions by the race track information department, Shanghai race track was built in February 2002. The then purpose was to help China to be further involved in the Formula One trend, enhancing cultural and information exchanges with outside China, and turning Shanghai into a capital of sports in Asia (with a focus on motorbike sports). At the same time, it would bring more commercial opportunities to both local and overseas investors in Shanghai. With the total investment of 500 million USD, in April 2004, the Shanghai international race track was completed as a state-of-the-art structure.

 

Front view of the Big Hall

Like many other modern race tracks, Shanghai race track was designed y Hermann Tilke, an architect and a professional F1 race track designer. The overall layout of the race track imitated the letter “上” (Shang) in the word “Shanghai” (上海), which in Chinese means “high” or “flying up”. It was a combination of three ideas: history, nature and technology. Particularly history inspiration was reflected in the outward standing, color mixture and material of the structure. All contributed to representing the continuous history of China.

A corner of the race track, looking from the main stand

The whole race track complex is comprised of: the main stand, material feed-in station, inspection station, control tower, restaurant and press conference room. These components make up a place suitable not only for sports but also for entertainment and/or recreation. At the two entrance gates, there are two tall towers looking as if they were two great lions supervising the ways in. The entrance for the audience are supervised by two red color towers meanwhile the entrance for fuel feeding was marked by two glass panel towers. Each of the red glass towers was connected to restaurant and press conference room. All these towers represented the location of Shanghai as if it is the entrance into the world and at the same time as the entrance to the future F1 sports.

 

Modern press conference room

The most impressive thing in the race track design lied in the press conference room and restaurant which looked like a pair of wings covering up the whole race track and connecting the main stand and fuel feed-in station. “This pair of wings” are more than 100 m long with one side is the international communication centre of 1600m2, and the other side is the restaurant, kitchen, VIP room and big balcony for rest and entertainment. Aluminum, glass and steel are the main material highlighting the high-tech nature of the complex.

 

The main stand design imitates the lotus leave shape

The main stand design imitates the lotus leave shape, which is typical in Chinese culture. It was a combination of natural beauty and properly designed architecture. The Yu-yuan Shanghai garden functions as a tranquil island located in between a noisy and exciting world.

 

Color was also another factor that underlined the idea of the complex design. In Chinese culture, read color represents for good luck, yellow color for power and strength. The combination of red and yellow colors was the endeavor of power and good luck which would bring about success for the racists.

 

Some photos of Shanghai race track