Owned by Chinese car manufacturer Geely, the parent company of Volvo, the Ningbo International Speedpark opened in 2017, just before hosting the FIA World Touring Car Championship.

Designed by renowned circuit designer Alan Wilson, the circuit is constructed in a former quarry, providing it with interesting undulations around its 4-kilometre length.

Certified to FIA Grade 2 standards, allowing all bar Formula One, the track reportedly cost ¥900 million to build (equivalent to $130 million).

After an inauspicious start, when a very wet inaugural WTCC meeting saw the main race canned after just two laps behind the safety car, the FIA World Touring Car Cup returned in 2018 and 2019 for more successful regular meetings.

Unfortunately, thereafter, the global COVID-19 pandemic put paid to further World Touring Car visits before the series withered away at the end of 2022.

Recent years have also seen the national Chinese touring car scene stay away, leaving the impressive facility with a surprisingly sparse racing calendar.