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A1 GOLD COAT GP: THE FARCE IS OVER (for now)

Saturday, October 17, 2009

The charade is over. Only two days before they were scheduled to test at Queensland raceway and a week before the first race the A1 GP on the Gold Coast has been terminated. The Queensland Government will now showcase the popular tourist venue to the World via four 150 km V8 Supercar races. SuperGP General Manager Greg Hooton said that whilst it was obviously disappointing that GCMEC has had to terminate the contract with A1GP, plans have been put in place to ensure a full, new-look, program when the 2009 Nikon SuperGP commences next Thursday October 22. “GCMEC and the Minister have worked with V8 Supercars, to develop the new race program which will now be rolled out at the event,” said Hooton.

AUSSIE A1, SUPER GP, SUPER FARCE

Thursday, October 15, 2009

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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:

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.

IMG LINK RAISES THE STAKES IN F1 BREAKAWAY

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

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IMG LINK RAISES THE STAKES IN F1 BREAKAWAY

Website Grand Prix.com is suggesting that global sports management juggernaut IMG could be the people behind the promotion of an "alternative F1" series. IMG is one of the World's largest sports promotion and management companies and if anybody can rival Bernie Ecclestone for professionalism and global reach then it's IMG. IMG has a global portfolio that includes many of the worlds biggest sporting events and the company has plenty of motorsport experience including running a number of major street races including the Surfers Paradise Indy race and several Champcar rounds in the USA. It also has run Bathurst and the Sandown enduros here in Australia. Currently they are responsible for the media and marketing rights to events including the LeMans Series, NASCAR, NHRA Drag Racing and The World Speedway Grand Prix. Interestingly IMG is also a media partner of the Williams F1 racing team, one of only two current F1 teams to commit themselves to the traditional FIA series next year. FOTA is scheduled to meet tomorrow to discuss the planning for their series, certainly, if as rumoured IMG is involved, then the chances of it happening and operating successfully just got a whole lot better.

BRISCOE WINS ANZAC DAY ON THE GOLD COAST

Sunday, October 26, 2008

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BRISCOE WINS ANZAC DAY ON THE GOLD COAST

Only hours before their respective Nations clash in the Rugby League World Cup Australian Ryan Briscoe and New Zealand's Scott Dixon fought out a thrilling Gold Coast Indy 300 and it was the Aussie that came out on top. Briscoe became the only Australian driver to win the race hanging on to beat the reigning Indycar Champion by less than a second. Briscoe took the lead after home town hero Will Power crashed out while leading. Back in the pits Power was gutted by his mistake. “It was a really bad mistake, the worst of my life.” he said. “It was a very bad day for me and I am very disappointed.” Even Briscoe had some sympathy for his fellow Aussie. “ I really feel bad for Will Power. He had a real fast car.“ said Briscoe.

SUPPORT GROWS FOR DTM GOLD COAST RACE

Sunday, October 26, 2008

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Drivers in the popular DTM (German Touring Car Masters) have thrown their support behind Tony Cochrane's call for the series to replace the Indy Racing League on the Gold Coast. While most Australian media feel that Cochrane's call was a bit of publicity seeking mischief making, current DTM stars competing in this weekend's Hockenheim final are enthusiastically backing the idea. Speaking to the German website motorsport-total.com, drivers said they would love the chance to take to the streets of Surfers Paradise. “That would be fantastic ! It would be great to go overseas, said Mercedes driver Paul di Resta. “It (The DTM) is perhaps the greatest Touring Car Championship in the World. I believe we have the best cars. It would be great to show the Australians what great cars we have.” he said.

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.

WILL POWERS TO PARADISE POLE

Saturday, October 25, 2008

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Local hero Will Power has given his home state fans something to cheer about setting the fastest time in qualifying for Sunday's Gold Coast Indy 300. It'll be a trans-tasman showdown with series champion and 2008 Indy 500 winner New Zealand's Scott Dixon alongside Power on the front row. In a qualifying session hit by showers, Power timed his run perfectly to beat the Kiwi star to the pole by almost a full second. “It was quite a difficult session, to be honest.” said Power. “ I went out there and half the track was wet and half the track was dry. It was a matter of getting through each round and in the last round it was all dry. It was back to what I knew quite well. On the last lap, I backed off out and made sure I got a good run in. I'm very happy for the team. We turned up with a pretty good car out of the box and the guys did great work. Hopefully we can get it done this weekend, because that's what we've been trying to do for the last three years.“

MARTIN LEADS THE WAY ON THE STREETS OF SURFERS

Friday, October 24, 2008

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MARTIN LEADS THE WAY ON THE STREETS OF SURFERS

Australian International John Martin continued his domination of the local F3 field with a second race win on the streets of Surfers Paradise. Martin, fresh back from a year in the tough British F3 series and Australia's lead driver in the A1GP showed the gulf between himself and the local competition with a comfortable lights to flag victory on the narrow street circuit in his Dallara F307 Mercedes Benz. “I nailed the start – yesterday I didn’t want to stall so I didn’t get a good getaway but today was much better and I was able to establish a good buffer in the opening lap,” said Martin. Second was the Team BRM Dallara of new Australian Champion James Winslow. The Englishman again showed himself to be the class of the local series regulars but he had no answer for Martin.

TWO CAR TEAM AUSTRALIA ATTACK

Monday, October 20, 2008

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There will be a two-pronged attack from Team Australia on the Nikon Indy 300 with the green and gold livery of the Aussie Vineyards-backed team running on two cars at next weekend’s race around the streets of Surfers Paradise in Australia. The cars of KV Racing Technology were unveiled in the pit lane of the Nikon Indy 300 circuit today, with Will Power on hand to unveil the cars. Power, driver of the #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia car, will be joined by team-mate Oriol Servia in the colours of Team Australia for the big event, held October 23-26.