Davide De Gobbi, founder of Top Speed, shares his motorsport story in Jiading district, Shanghai. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn]
Jiading district in Shanghai is strengthening its role as a hub for China's motorsport industry, as Top Speed Founder Davide De Gobbi continues his long-running effort to help Chinese drivers reach the global racing stage.
Top Speed, founded in 2008, is based near the Shanghai International Circuit and provides motorsport event organization, technical support, track services and driver development programs.
De Gobbi, an Italian motorsport professional, began working in China's racing market in 2004 after spending years with European formula racing teams.
In a recent interview, he said Jiading is "the best location for Chinese motorsport", citing the Shanghai International Circuit, the district's strong auto industry ecosystem and long-term government support.
He also called Jiading his "second hometown", where both his career and family life have taken root.
The 2026 China GT Championship, organized by Top Speed, recorded the largest GT event in the series in a decade, with 57 racing cars, more than 100 drivers and 50,000 spectators.
Tickets for the race weekend sold out, reflecting growing public interest in motorsport culture and stronger confidence in professional racing events.
For De Gobbi, the event showed that China has the drivers, teams, venues and fans needed to build a stronger racing ecosystem.
Looking ahead, he said he hopes to bring more international racing resources to Jiading while helping young Chinese and Asian drivers gain professional training, race experience and broader global exposure.
His goal is to use Jiading's track resources and automotive industry base to create a platform that connects local talent with international motorsport opportunities and build a more professional, market-oriented racing culture in China over the long term.