A1 Grand Prix World of Motorsport
Discussion
I still enjoy it - good close racing without the petty politics of F1.
Photos from the NZ round here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Photos from the NZ round here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Munter said:
When it started I was lodging in a house with Sky so I followed the first few races. But as I moved out and I dont feel like wasting money on tv, I have no idea whats been going on.
Here in NZ its one of the few international motorsport series' that you can get on regular TV, and MotoGP and Indy (and V8 Supertaxis if you call those international). F1, WRC etc are only on Sky though.StevieBee said:
It's a well intended series but as Eric says, suffers from poor exposure.
They need to get it on terrestrial TV and should work on raising the profile of the drivers.
For the UK exposure isn't the greatest, but it is much better in many other countries.They need to get it on terrestrial TV and should work on raising the profile of the drivers.
I like it but don't get the chance to follow it other than in the comics.
Channel 5 do a highlights programme overnight, I think it's the Thursday (Friday morning) after the race.
It's not a great series IMO, despite a boost button and tyre-only pitstops there's little overtaking and only a few teams that are good enough to produce a front-running car. Those teams often rent themselves out to the best-paying seatholder so one season Germany will do well, the next France, etc etc depending on who dips deepest into their pocket. And it's a bit odd to see a UK team like Super Nova (or whoever) running Team India (or whoever) and getting excited about their Indian-liveried car with Indian driver winning a race.
Personally I think the coverage is patchy, it's hard to follow a race when in highlights format, the drivers are not mentioned very much so the personality / star driver aspect is missing, and John Watson's commentary drives me up the wall.
But you might like it!
It's not a great series IMO, despite a boost button and tyre-only pitstops there's little overtaking and only a few teams that are good enough to produce a front-running car. Those teams often rent themselves out to the best-paying seatholder so one season Germany will do well, the next France, etc etc depending on who dips deepest into their pocket. And it's a bit odd to see a UK team like Super Nova (or whoever) running Team India (or whoever) and getting excited about their Indian-liveried car with Indian driver winning a race.
Personally I think the coverage is patchy, it's hard to follow a race when in highlights format, the drivers are not mentioned very much so the personality / star driver aspect is missing, and John Watson's commentary drives me up the wall.
But you might like it!
I've met Tony Teixeira a few times - very astute business man and seems to be doing pretty well overseas.
The problem with it, is that it's a franchise.
You buy the rights to run a team (country) you get the car from them and the TV coverage and then you can bring in your own sponsors and you pay x amount for the privilege. It's a very flat playing field - it's almost an arrive & drive series.
The coverage and commentary is dreadful. Ben Edwards and John Watson are great commentators but since it's all paid for by A1GP, they can only be positive about everything - they can't overly critizise drivers or the teams.
And of course it's on SKY sports - which i refuse to pay for 99% football coverage. They do stream it live from the A1GP site though
The problem with it, is that it's a franchise.
You buy the rights to run a team (country) you get the car from them and the TV coverage and then you can bring in your own sponsors and you pay x amount for the privilege. It's a very flat playing field - it's almost an arrive & drive series.
The coverage and commentary is dreadful. Ben Edwards and John Watson are great commentators but since it's all paid for by A1GP, they can only be positive about everything - they can't overly critizise drivers or the teams.
And of course it's on SKY sports - which i refuse to pay for 99% football coverage. They do stream it live from the A1GP site though
Novelty, too much of a gimmick. Motorsport ladder is about the best of the best and A1GP seems off tangent, an anomaly that doesn't fit anywhere - hence you've got no-hopers and drivers with washed up careers.
FNG said:
John Watson's commentary drives me up the wall.
Funnily enough that's why I enjoy A1GP. Basically what Watson is trying not to say is "I'm being paid to watch and talk about a bunch of retards, the vast majority of which should never touch an F1 car!"
I've been to Brands Hatch to see the A1GP since its inception 2/3 years ago. In terms of racing it ain't been great. The cars themselves, however, sounded awesome - especially on the overrun into Druids. This year they are Ferrari chassis and engine (as opposed to Zertec engines and Lola(?) chassis). The support package has been good and the weekend ticket £40 - creating a good turnout and atmosphere.
I think Ferrari got involved on the basis that the plan was for each country to have its own national A1GP series - with the winner of each national series competing the following year in the International A1GP series. (so 20 nations x 20 cars = at least 400 chassis and 400 engines to be supplied)
I'll be there again this year (first weekend of May) - if only for the noise
I think Ferrari got involved on the basis that the plan was for each country to have its own national A1GP series - with the winner of each national series competing the following year in the International A1GP series. (so 20 nations x 20 cars = at least 400 chassis and 400 engines to be supplied)
I'll be there again this year (first weekend of May) - if only for the noise
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