HRT Formula One test driver Ma Qinghua of China. (Photo : Reuters)
Although he is still in his mid-20s, Shanghai's Ma Qinghua has entered the history books as China's first Formula One circuit driver, and now, QM Karting Center, a motor-racing facility that he is the joint owner and operator of, opened to the public this week.
Following the center's launch ceremony, the 27-year-old flew to Valencia, Spain, to join the Citroen World Touring Car team.
Inside the QM Karting Center, a 1.1-kilometer outdoor track and a 0.5-kilometer indoor track are the main features. Ma told reporters at the ceremony that he was involved during the design process.
Training for the FIA China Formula One Grand Prix event will occur at the center, as drivers will be able to make use of the outdoor track, while other national and international karting races will also be held at the Tangzijing Road facility. The indoor track, which consists of a 15-degree gradient, is for public use, as customers can race around the circuit in a Sodi RT8 karting car.
The opening of the Shanghai business is just one event in the driver's hectic and prominent calendar, after he participated in the practice sessions of the HRT team at the 2012 Italian Grand Prix, which placed him in the national spotlight. He then won the Race of Russia in June 2012, becoming the first Chinese driver to win a WTCC event.
Further, in the month after his win in Russia, he was awarded a sponsorship by the Sands China Ltd. hotel chain, resulting in the display of the Venetian Macao logo on his uniform and helmet at the 2014 Macau Grand Prix.
The Macao event is considered one of the most demanding World Touring Car Championship races, and Ma was a teammate of nine-time world rally champion Sébastien Loeb in the Citroen Total team.
