A1 Grand Prix series

[D-Angle]

Has anyone seen this?

www.a1gp.com

Apparently it will run in the F1 off-season, Bernie thinks it's a good idea, and there wil only be one team per country. What do we think?

[McNab]

Excellent. Should run thoughout the winter months on Sky Sports in 2005. A good option for up-and-coming drivers too.

Let's hope that it doesn't get torpedoed by some malevolent idiot...

[308gt4]

the South African administration, is that good or bad ??

you wonder if this is the biggest scam or greatest risk take of all time..

Has Bernie put any money in ??

[Eric Mc]

One of the cars was on display in the Motorsport Pavillion at this year's Farnborough Air Show.

I'm not convinced it's a goer. It reminds me of the stillborn Premier GP Series which received a great fanfare a couple of years ago and then dissappeared without trace.

[McNab]

From the Zytek website:

"About A1 Grand Prix"

"A1 Grand Prix is a brand new international FIA-Sanctioned racing series. The Brainchild of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Al Maktoum, a member of the Ruling Family of Dubai, the series will be run in warm countries during motor racing's traditional 'off' season. It will begin in September 2005.

A1 Grand Prix is built around a sound business model, which ensures profitability for all teams involved. This championship will pit drivers, racing for the pride of their country, in one make of high performance A1 Grand Prix car powered by a 520bhp bespoke 3.4ltr 90 degree V8 engine.

Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar, China, South Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and Australia have already been selected to host the first A1 Grand Prix season, with two further possible flyaway events"


With Dubai money behind it the idea seems sound. Lola and Zytek and Sky TV make up a strong package, but will Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Al Maktoum see it through? Much will depend on the franchise takeup, and the promised mid-summer announcement hasn't happened. In other words they may be finding it difficult to drum up enough teams.

I share Eric's doubts, but I hope we're wrong!

>> Edited by McNab on Wednesday 1st September 15:12