When the GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS season concluded on the streets of Beijing E-Town this month, it marked more than the end of a fiercely contested championship — it represented the debut of one of Asia’s most technically accomplished new urban circuits, designed and supported in its delivery by Apex Circuit Design.

The 4.9km Beijing Street Circuit was created within the E-Town district, a fast-growing technology and innovation hub on the city’s southeastern edge. Combining broad boulevards with complex elevation and bridge sections, the circuit provided a distinctive and demanding test for drivers while showcasing Beijing’s ambition to host world-class motorsport once again.

A Collaborative Vision for a Modern City Circuit

The project began with a clear objective: to create a street circuit that would meet FIA Grade 3 safety and design standards while capturing the character of Beijing’s evolving urban landscape. The circuit’s concept was developed by Apex Circuit Design in collaboration with SRO Motorsports Group, the event organisers, and local stakeholders.

Apex’s approach balanced technical precision with a sensitivity to the city’s infrastructure and identity. The design integrates long straights and variable-radius turns to improve driver experience and promote overtaking — features that differentiate Beijing from many tighter, stop-start street circuits. Key landmarks, including the area’s power station and modern skyline, frame the circuit, giving it a visual signature that complements its competitive layout.

In total, the design process spanned around 18 months, involving multiple iterations and real-time coordination as the E-Town district continued to evolve.

Apex’s Expertise in Street and Hybrid Circuits

Apex’s body of work includes both permanent and temporary facilities — from Dubai Autodrome, the Middle East’s first FIA Grade 1 circuit, to the redevelopment plan for Kyalami in South Africa to be ready to host F1, to master-planning  Miami’s F1 street course. Each has contributed to Apex’s expertise in integrating world-class motorsport venues within active urban or multi-use settings.

For Beijing, this experience proved essential. The design team faced the complex challenge of aligning the circuit’s geometry with existing city infrastructure while ensuring reversibility for day-to-day use. Drainage, surface transitions, and the precise placement of barriers all required careful coordination with local authorities and construction teams.

Apex Engineer James Wormstone, who led the technical design, described the project as “a rare opportunity to bring high-speed street racing into one of the world’s most dynamic cities.”

“Beijing’s E-Town layout is much faster than most street tracks,” Wormstone explained. “The roads are exceptionally wide, allowing multiple lines through corners and genuine overtaking opportunities. The circuit’s flow and variation give it real character — it’s both rewarding and unforgiving, exactly as a top-level street track should be.”

A Landmark Event for GT Racing in Asia

The Beijing finale delivered close racing and dramatic competition, as teams and drivers adapted quickly to the new venue. The wide straights and variety of corners created several overtaking points, while the crest and bridge before Turn 1 provided one of the track’s defining technical challenges.

SRO Motorsports Group Founder and CEO Stéphane Ratel praised Apex’s contribution to the project:

“The Beijing Street Circuit is one of the most exciting and distinctive additions to the GT World Challenge Asia calendar, and Apex Circuit Design played a central role in bringing it to life. Their team approached the project with a rare combination of technical expertise, creativity, and a genuine understanding of what makes great racing.

 

“From the outset, Apex demonstrated an exceptional ability to collaborate, not only with us, but also with local authorities and partners. Ensuring that every design decision balanced safety, spectacle, and the unique character of Beijing’s E-Town setting. The result is a street circuit that feels both modern and authentic, delivering a thrilling challenge for drivers and a memorable experience for fans.

 

“Apex’s thoughtful, professional, and highly communicative approach made what could have been a complex process remarkably smooth. We’re delighted with the outcome and proud to have worked with such a capable and committed partner on this landmark event for GT racing in Asia.”

Apex’s Role in Shaping Motorsport’s Next Era

Beijing represents another milestone in Apex’s mission to design, develop, and deliver world-class motorsport venues that align with contemporary city environments. The company continues to lead international projects that bridge event spectacle with long-term urban planning — ensuring that racing circuits add cultural, economic, and social value alongside sporting excellence.

As Apex looks ahead, the Beijing Street Circuit will stand as both a technical and collaborative success: a case study in how modern motorsport can coexist with the cities that host it — and a blueprint for future events across Asia and beyond.