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AUSSIE A1, SUPER GP, SUPER FARCE

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Gold Coast "Super GP" General Manager Greg Hooton has addressed the Australian Media regarding doubts over the A1 GP event scheduled in only seven days time. In a prepared statement Mr Hooton emphasised the fact that the meeting would go ahead with the V8 Supercars as the main attraction. “I need to make it clear that this event is happening next week. Do not lose sight of the fact that I’m standing in V8 Pit Lane where next week the V8 Supercars will for the first time ever have two, 200km races. The V8 Supercars are absolutely a major aspect of this event and will be here in force next week,” said Hooton. Mr Hooton did acknowledge that their were doubts over the appearance of the A1 GP and his statement did little to inspire confidence that the situation had changed. “There are certainly rumours surrounding the appearance of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport at the Nikon SuperGP at this time, there is no question about that. “At this point in time, I need to make clear that A1GP has not breached any terms of contract with GCMEC (Gold Coast Motor Events Company*). “The current situation is as follows:

LOTUS TO RETURN WITH MALAYSIAN F1 PUSH ?

Friday, September 4, 2009

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LOTUS TO RETURN WITH MALAYSIAN F1 PUSH ?

A Malaysian F1 team, possibly running under the famous Lotus name, could be on the grid for next years Grand Prix season according to the Malaysian media. The popular newspaper the Malay mail has carried several stories quoting well placed sources indication a desire to get on the grid for 2010. AirAsia founder and CEO Tony Fernandes is said to be part of a Malaysian-led consortium eager to bid for a spot on the grid. AirAsia currently sponsors the Williams team but the appeal of a home based F1 team would undoubtedly be very strong. The Malaysian petro-chemical giant Petronas is also said to be involved in the plan which could involve the purchase of the BMW-Sauber operation.

A1GP: AND NOW THE END IS NEAR ?

Monday, June 29, 2009

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Just days after confirming October's Gold Coast street race as the opening round of the 2009-2010 season the future of A1GP is in doubt again after its British arm collapsed last Wednesday. According to the British newspaper the Telegraph the British operation has been wound up leaving several suppliers unpaid and a staff of about 40 looking for new jobs. A spokesperson for the company A1 Grand Prix Operations Limited said: “Like many other companies in today's difficult economic environment, we had cashflow problems and we haven't been able to pay them (the suppliers).“ 2009 is the fourth year of the A1GP which was founded by Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Al Maktoum. He left the group as a part of a major financial restructuring which was to have included floating the company on the London Stock Exchange. Unattributed sources said that current A1GP CEO, South African businessman Tony Teixiera. had said that it was possible that current British workers could be reemployed through other arms of the organisation. The collapse of the British Operations division, who are responsible for the day to day running of the series is just the latest in a long line of financial concerns regarding the series. Just where this may leave the promoters of the “Nitro” Super GP is anybody's guess as the Queensland Government has previously said that it was not interested in supporting the event unless it had a substantial International component. V8 Supercar boss Tony Cochrane has suggested openly on several occasions that he believed the event would soon become a V8 Supercar only affair.

SWISS LOOK STRONG BUT AUSTRALIA SHOW PROMISE

Saturday, January 24, 2009

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An encouraging result for Team Australia on day one of the Taupo New Zealand round of the A1GP series with John Martin setting the third fastest time in Friday afternoon's first practice session. In hot and dry conditions Martin moved into third place behind pace setter Neel Jarni and Lebanon's Daniel Morad. Jarni overcame a health scare to set the fastest time of the day after his teammate Alexandre Imperatori started the day as the quickest rookie. Jarni was rushed to hospital last week with suspected meningitis, which ruined his training regime and left him feeling drained. He arrived in Taupo several days later than normal after getting the all-clear from doctors to race. Jarni said the New Zealand Summer weather had improved his health and he remained confident that he would be fine to race over the weekend., “... it looks as though the warm weather is helping me as we don’t have minus degrees like at home. I am feeling better every day and had no issues with driving today so I am very positive.” he said. The very fact that the race is happening will be a big relief for organisers after rumours spread earlier this month that the series may wind up.

INDY OUT, A1GP IN

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

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The A1GP is to replace the Indy Cars on the Cold Coast. Queensland Premier Anna Bligh announced this morning that a compromise could not be reached with the Indy Racing League bringing an end to the history of a major US racing category on the circuit. Ms Bligh rather pointedly said the the new series would feature the faster A1GP cars instead of Indy cars as well as V8 supercars. "I am sure the A1GP will be a terrific attraction for both `revheads' and new fans to the world of motorsport," Ms Bligh said. The State Government has been negotiating with the owners of the Indy Racing League over scheduling clashes but refused to move the racing carnival to March at the request of the US-based league. An in-principle agreement with the European A1GP has been drawn up and the deal will be finalised within a week.

A1GP READY TO FILL THE GOLD COAST BEACH…UH, BREACH

Sunday, October 26, 2008

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The A1GP series has approached organisers of the Gold Coast Indy car race expressing an interest in replacing the Indy cars should they decide not to return next year. Speaking to the local newspaper “The Sunday Mail”, former World Formula One Champion and A1GP team franchise holder Alan Jones said that the self proclaimed World Cup of Motorsport was eager to fill the breach should the American based Indy series pull out. “I have made no secret of the fact that we would love to take their place,“ said Jones. “Our cars lap three to four seconds quicker than the IRL cars going around the Gold Coast this weekend, We have 25 countries competing,... and many of the countries are in the preferred trading area for Australia – Asia and the Middle East.“ Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has said that an International Openwheel event was crucial to the events future but few International series of any note have shown interest in the Australian market with the exception of A1GP.

LOW KEY START FOR A1GP

Saturday, September 27, 2008

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The opening round of the 2008/2009 A1GP series will go ahead as planned despite not having a full grid of the new Ferrari manufactured cars. “The situation we find ourselves in is unfortunate. We have a small number of teams who will not be in Zandvoort. While these teams are obviously very disappointed, they understand we have done everything possible but just ran out of time,” said A1GP CEO, Pete da Silva.