On October 18, the Zhuzhou Municipal People’s Government in Hunan Province signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile). This partnership aims to promote the public concept of “safe driving and smart travel,” enhance cultural exchange, and jointly promote the Z1 Chinese Autonomous Driving Automotive Competition, with the goal of establishing Zhuzhou as an “International Racing City.”
The signing ceremony took place during the inaugural Z1 Chinese Autonomous Driving Automotive Summit, which also featured an international racing industry summit in Zhuzhou. This event is part of a series celebrating the first Zhuzhou International Racing Week. Throughout the week, the Zhuzhou International Racing Circuit will host six major events, including the TCR World Tour, the CTCC Chinese Touring Car Championship, the Z1 Chinese Autonomous Driving Summit, the ETCR Electric Racing Championship, the Lynk & Co Challenge, and the Dongfeng Fengshen Yixuan Cup.
The TCR World Tour is among the top motorsport events globally. After a four-year hiatus, it is returning to mainland China, attracting drivers from ten countries, including China, the UK, Sweden, Spain, Italy, and Argentina. The lineup features prominent championship drivers like Jan Ékström, Mikel Azcona, and Robert Huff, who are well-known figures in the international racing community.
The Z1 Chinese Autonomous Driving Summit is drawing significant attention. The highlight will be the competition featuring the “Tian Yuan,” an autonomous racing car independently developed by Gao Seng Qingdong (Zhuzhou) Sports Culture Development Co., which will compete against world-class drivers. This event promises an exciting showdown between autonomous vehicles and human racers. In previous tests, the car recorded an impressive lap time of 3 minutes and 15.6 seconds over a distance of 3.77 kilometers, demonstrating excellent handling and stability.
On the same day, the event included a panel discussion titled “Ten Voices,” featuring ten distinguished guests from organizations such as the FIA, the China Automobile and Motorcycle Sports Federation, and various sectors within the racing and automotive manufacturing industries. They engaged in in-depth discussions on topics like the impact of AI technology and new energy development on traditional motorsport, changes to the global racing landscape, and the opportunities that new racing events present for Zhuzhou’s development.
According to the latest market research report, the global autonomous vehicle market reached $41.75 billion in 2023. With its rich automotive industry background, Zhuzhou is poised to become a manufacturing powerhouse and foster the growth of motorsports, which can significantly enhance the city’s international image, stimulate economic development, and enrich the cultural and recreational life of its residents.
