Palatial backdrop for Bucharest race
The Palace of the Parliament will make an imposing backdrop to the Bucharest race.
Anew street race will be laid out around the Romanian capital Bucharest, with the country's imposing parliament building forming the backdrop.
The temporary circuit will host the FIA GT Championship in the autumn, after a deal was reached with the city's mayor and the Stéphane Ratel Organisation.
Circuit guru Hermann Tilke has been tasked with preparing a 1.94-mile circuit around the Palace of the People. It will use the existing roads and only small changes will be made to some corners. It is anticipatd the city circuit - nominally called the Bucharest Ring - will be able to cater to 90,000 spectators.
The Palace of the Parliament will be the centrepiece of the circuit. Conceived by former dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu, the massive building is among the largest in Europe with 1,100 rooms spanning 12 stories with a further four underground! Construction began in 1984 and was nearing completion by the time of Ceauşescu's overthrow and execution in 1989. The Romanian parliment moved in by 1994, while the complex also is home to severl museums and a leisure complex.
Efforts to start the FIA GT season in Bucharest in April had to be postponed due to a major diplomatic conference being held in the Parliament building. The race is now scheduled to take place on October 1.
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