We took to Twitter to find out what you thought of the FIA GT finale – the Baku GT. The Azerbaijani once again opened their streets to the GT3 cars, with 27 cars taking to the track for two races – one 60 minutes, the other 75. The first, 75 minute race race was taken out by Mayr-Melnhof/R.Rast in the WRT Audi and the second race was taken out by Belgian Audi WRT duo of S.Ortelli/L.Vanthoor.
The Azerbaijani capital rolled out the red carpet for the GT teams. Last year’s race was a great success and while this year’s had issues, the media events were spectacular
28 GT cars blasting through Baku city last night during the Street Parade. That's @FIAGTSeries for you! pic.twitter.com/d0iCY9GF0m
— Karanja Earl Simmons (@Earlsimxx) November 23, 2013
What you need to know before the race weekend…
Preview to the Baku World Challenge. Watch Jack and Wattie look forward to the big races this weekend
http://t.co/IlFUfZcyRc #BakuGT
— FIA GT Series (@FIAGTSeries) November 23, 2013
And what you need to know after the race weekend…
The full story on an unforgettable day at Baku http://t.co/NuGbNK3BgL #BakuGT
— FIA GT Series (@FIAGTSeries) November 24, 2013
It wasn’t all GT action, there were also historic F1 cars at the track
Car I'm look after in Azerbaijan #BakuGT pic.twitter.com/hN75f3ue8T
— Jake Shortland (@jakeshortland93) November 23, 2013
The track and surroundings were beautiful
See, it was beautiful in Baku – here's the #4 on track #BakuGT pic.twitter.com/Ep7GBTLVT5
— Marc VDS Racing Team (@marcvdsracing) November 23, 2013
Though could have been better portrayed…
Baku track looks like decent track to do some nice pictures. It doesn't reflect in the pictures on @FIAGTSeries website though #BakuGT
— Brecht Decancq (@DecancqPhoto) November 24, 2013
It was a tough start to the weekend for the Loeb McLarens
Almost cleared… #BakuGT pic.twitter.com/PeH6OSAAgU
— Marcel ten Caat (@dsceuroeditor) November 24, 2013
And the Bleekemolen Corvette
Damage is quite bad. Don't think we will be back out again this weekend. Grr. Car was so fast. #FIAGT #BakuGT pic.twitter.com/wO6UrAGvuV
— Jeroen Bleekemolen (@jbleekemolen) November 23, 2013
Which did allow Bleekemolen and his family to be tourists
Being a tourist today in Baku, checking out the old city. With the sound of the race cars in the background.. pic.twitter.com/kIKHHd408K
— Jeroen Bleekemolen (@jbleekemolen) November 24, 2013
It wasn’t all good. There were significant delays, the track was very narrow in places and there long outages with the live streaming
There are no words to describe the incompetence of (some of) the Azerbaijani people here in Baku. Calling them ignorant is not even close.
— Marcel ten Caat (@dsceuroeditor) November 24, 2013
Qualifying was late and almost in the dark
That's gloomy qualifying #BakuGT pic.twitter.com/vf8AY5Joor
— Neil Hudson (@neilhudson) November 23, 2013
But once the race started, it was, well chaos
ワロス pic.twitter.com/63HIHNrNOl
— そらまめスピードパーク (@soramame6r4) November 24, 2013
The pit entry wasn’t spared
Pit mayhem – Boutsen Ginion blocked pit entry !!! #bakugt pic.twitter.com/R1YzKOlKOn
— Marcel ten Caat (@dsceuroeditor) November 24, 2013
Nor the pit lane
Confusion as leaders pit but pit window is not open yet!!! #BakuGT
— Marcel ten Caat (@dsceuroeditor) November 24, 2013
Penalties were given
Both Boutsen McLarens have drive thrus. What a shame for the Belgian team #BakuGT
— FIA GT Series (@FIAGTSeries) November 24, 2013
But fighting pays off…the Loeb McLarens got back in…
You know our motto… #keeppushing @FIAGTSeries #BakuGT @Loeb_Seb1 @alvaroparente pic.twitter.com/F1VRZ9Kmgp
— McLaren GT (@McLaren_GT) November 23, 2013
…and scored a podium
After Mercedes team [Day] where penalised 10secs for move on Parente,SLR finished 2nd in the Main Race. 😉 #BakuGT
http://t.co/Jkg6k7PKCp
— Sébastien Loeb (@Loeb_Seb1) November 24, 2013
Overall, there are lessons to be learnt but it was a great race weekend
See here some Highlights of the race from Baku World Challenge! #Bakugt #Baku #FIA #fiagtseries http://t.co/TCtiMmJtba
— Baku World Challenge (@BakuWC) November 24, 2013
Click here to read more about the main Baku GT race
Click here to read more about the Baku GT qualifying race
By Sam Tickell, November 2013
Photos, supplied
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