Russia Wants More races at Sochi

IndyCars are not even mentioned as a viable series in Russia. Putin is playing Obama like a fiddle and would never let the Americans in

Russia's flagship auto racing track has revealed that it is "looking to attract additional major int'l motorsport series after Formula One has put it on the map," according to Christian Sylt for FORBES.

Russian GP Deputy General Dir Sergey Vorobyev said, "We would like to hold other international racing series at the Sochi Autodrom, such as various types of touring, endurance and single-seater races." The "most likely candidates" are the World Touring Car Championship and the World Endurance Championship, "which is famous for its flagship 24 hour race at Le Mans in France."

Broadening the offering "would give even more prominence to auto racing in the country" and Vorobyev said that "one of the main objectives of the Russian Grand Prix is to promote motorsport in our country." F1 is the "most high-profile event which is held at the Sochi Autodrom" though there have been other races there.

It has hosted a national rally event "as well as a round of touring car championship TCR in June."

Vorobyev: "TCR this year was a success in Sochi. We develop our year round loading step by step and, for example, the Open Round of the Russian Classic Rally Cup has been hosted at the Sochi Autodrom."

Vorbyev's work "has been acknowledged by the FIA and the F1 Group." They awarded the Russian GP the '14 promoter's trophy "but that is only part of the story." FORBES