CRI听力:WRC Returns to China after 17 Years

China is back on the WRC scene, with Rally China returning for the first time since 1999. The all-asphalt event will run as the 10th round of the championship in September, and will be based in the Huairou district, just 70 kilometers from central Beijing.

Wan Heping is the vice president of the China Federation of Automobile and Motorcycle Sports. He says, Rally racing brings a contemporary face to motorsports in China, which has a huge following in the country.

"This news will cheer up the motorsport community both inside China and out. With the strengthening of overall national power, China is seeing the flourishing development of the automobile industry, car consumption, as well as motorsports, which gave us confidence to invite the WRC back to China. Our federation and LeSports came to an agreement to make it happen back in 2015, and we did it!"

LeSports will act as the exclusive new media partner and operational promoter of the WRC China for the upcoming 3 years. It's CEO is Lei Zhenjian.

"In motorsports, the WRC is perhaps one of the best examples of combining the cutting edge industries of sports and automobiles. We expect more cooperation partners and internet users to join us on our platform to experience not only the charm of WRC, but also the inspiring and encouraging spirit of motorsports."

Lei indicates, with the WRC coming back to China, LeSports is planning anciliary industries such as racing team and circuit operations, racing agencies and driver training.

China's first Formula 1 racing driver, Ma Qinghua, has been invited to be the promotional ambassador for WRC Rally China. He has also announced that he will be taking part in the WRC race this year too.

"Talking about the WRC, fans know that my team mate Sébastien Loeb has won the WRC championship 9 times. From what he tells me, I know that the WRC Rally is a totally different but challenging competition in motorsports. WRC's return in Beijing will promote car racing in China. And I want to challenge myself in the rally race."

The managing Director of 'WRC Promoter' Oliver Ciesla has described the 2016 calendar as a mix of tradition and innovation. He said the WRC will make full use of the event to offer manufacturers the opportunity to showcase their products via a championship which uses regular model vehicles, since China has now become the biggest car market globally.

The World Rally Championship is a series of events organized by the FIA, the International Automobile Federation. It was formed out of several well-known and popular international rallies, with the first championship contested in 1973.