As a young but eager addition to the international motorsport family, China has emerged as one of the most vibrant markets for the sport over the last five years, and just recently a new category was introduced that promises to change the way the Chinese market looks at the sport – ChinaGT.
Established by Jim Ye – the mastermind behind Beijing’s Goldenport – ChinaGT promises to become a beacon in this emerging market with its high levels of exposure and promotion, something which led Ye and his team to China Television Service [CTVS], a Beijing based production company who are widely recognised as China’s foremost experts on the sport.
Promoted by China GT Motorsports Management, China GT was rebranded ahead of it’s relaunch earlier this year, the Series emerging as the first serious GT championship in China, a product which has already seen an impressive list of entrants with immediate growth between rounds. Now – for the first time – viewers will be able to enjoy extensive television coverage making it easier to keep track of events during a time of immense growth in Chinese motorsport.
Established in 2004, CTVS have been responsible for the production of a range of popular international motorsport programs for a number of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers so were the perfect choice to be involved in the emerging new category.
Gernot Kuntze, the Managing Director of CTVS admitted that he was overjoyed to be involved with the ChinaGT project and that his team was perfectly suited to delivering everything that the marketing team of the new Series was hoping for.
“For more than ten years, the bulk of our business has been motorsport,” Kuntze explained. “It’s what we do, however until now, much of our work was based outside of China, so it’s fantastic to be able to provide our knowledge locally within our home country and work closely alongside someone who has many of the same goals as we do.”
“Partnering with CTVS provides a foundation for the sport to grow,” Jim Ye, the CEO of China GT explained. “We have joined other mainstream sports in China by having a ‘best in class’ media production showcasing racing that is available via television, live-streaming and social media.
“We look forward to working with Gernot Kuntze and the CTVS team who have extensive experience in the Asian motorsport market. Importantly, we have ensured that all of our races are available in a 53-minute magazine programs on China’s state sport broadcaster, China Central Television (CCTV) Sports.”
Charlie Davison, China GT, Director of International Partnership Development, added: “China’s premier motorsport category deserves a premier television producer to showcase China GT so that viewers receive engaging coverage. Production quality is of upmost importance so that our teams and sponsors receive meaningful exposure, and in doing so realize that China GT is a compelling platform in which companies can bring their brand to life in China. We have a responsibility to grow our audience which in turn keeps our teams healthy.”
About China GT Championship:
China GT was relaunched in 2016 and is promoted by China GT Motorsport Management. Registered by the (FIA) and ratified by the Federation of Automobile and Motorcycle Sports of People’s Republic of China (CAMF), the championship features the world’s best brands competing in GT3 and GT Cup classes. China GT adopts a FIA standard supported by a Balance of Performance (BOP) and is based on the principles of being ‘Just, Fair and Open’ as to attract both Chinese and international drivers and teams.
About CTVS:
Established in 2004, CTVS has been operating from the Sanlitun district of Beijing ever since, providing a range of television and production services to media outlets worldwide, whilst also building a strong reputation for providing world class services to the motorsport industry.
That experience, in what has been an ever-changing market, together with their ability to quickly activate and provide services on the ground has seen CTVS emerge as the most sought after service provider in the industry for this specialised work.
2016 ChinaGT – calendar
Rnd#1/#2, 9-11 June – Beijing Audi Goldenport Motor Park (China)
Rnd#3/#4, 29-31 July – Shanghai International Circuit (China)
Rnd#5/#6, 2-4 September – Chengdu International Circuit (China)
Rnd#7/#8, 7-9 October – Shanghai International Circuit (China)