Mansell returns to GP racing
Former F1 world champion to battle with old adversaries
He's back!
It takes place at the Kyalami circuit on 13 November. Mansell will be joined by a number of his old adversaries -- see list below.
Mansell has committed to a long term contract as a driver and Grand Prix Masters ambassador. His first taste of the 600bhp Grand Prix Masters car will come in October during testing at Jerez. In addition to November’s inaugural race in South Africa, there will also be four or five races for the 2006 championship calendar at venues in and outside Europe.
Racing alongside Mansell will be a host of other great racers including:
- Emerson Fittipaldi (Brazil)
- Alain Prost (France)
- Ricardo Patrese (Italy)
- Alan Jones (Australia)
- Stefan Johansson (Sweden)
- Andrea de Cesaris (Italy)
- René Arnoux (France)
- Jan Lammers (Netherlands)
- Christian Danner (Germany)
Between 14 and 16 cars are are likely to show up for the inaugural grid in South Africa, with the total prize fund for the opening race being $500,000. The minimum age criterion is set at 45 years of age, with more big name drivers to be announced very shortly.
The cars
Delta Motorsports in Northampton is busy producing the all-new single seater race car with a series of test sessions scheduled from next month. Grand Prix Masters are in the process of applying for FIA sanctioning and in the meantime, continue to work very closely with the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) who are providing invaluable counsel and support on matters pertaining to sporting code, technical regulations and race control.
The cars will be powered by an 80-degree 3.5-litre V8 Nicholson McLaren Cosworth engine producing over 600bhp. Based on the highly successful Cosworth XB Indycar engine, Nicholson McLaren has developed this normally-aspirated version offering more than 600bhp at 10,400rpm while maximum torque is achieved at over 320lb-ft at 7,800rpm. The engine is said to combine compact dimensions, minimum weight, with maximum strength.
The 650Kg cars (excluding driver) will be equipped with a six-speed paddle shift gearbox and at the opening race in Kyalami, drivers are expected to be exposed to cornering g-loads of around 2.5g. Electronic driver aids have been kept to a minimum and a stable aerodynamic platform has been defined in an effort to maximise driver input, involvement and overtaking.
Comment
"The idea of a Grand Prix Masters series has been mooted by many for years and at last the dream becomes a reality," said Mansell. "Since winning the FIA Formula One World Championship with Williams back in 1992 and eventually retiring from full time single-seater racing in 1995, I have spent valuable time with my family while successfully transforming my beloved Woodbury Park estate into one of the best golf complexes of its kind.
"The hunger and desire to go racing, however, never leaves your blood, but the right opportunity has never really come along, until now that is. It’s one thing to be reacquainting myself with adversaries such as Prost, Fittipaldi and Patrese but throw in the added bonus of 200mph Grand Prix cars on legendary race tracks and you have the ingredients for what will be spectacular racing and the start of a very special championship indeed.
"The rivalry between us all will be no different from those glory days back in the 1980s and 90s but, given the challenges this time round, the demands of racing will be tougher for all concerned. While the primary objective here is fun, entertainment and unprecedented access for race fans, the preparation, commitment and desire to win will be no less to the last time I drove a Grand Prix car in anger."
Mansell's ex-boss Sir Frank Williams said: "To think of Nigel climbing back into a race car today gives me goose bumps because I know he will be no less committed and no less determined to win! Nothing will have changed that very essence of competition that is so deeply engrained in him. I will watch with interest.
"It is a fascinating prospect to see some of the sport’s finest pedigree, albeit a little older and hopefully wiser, back in the saddle again and I have every conviction that the racing will be no less committed or competitive despite the great vintage of its drivers."
PistonHeads says: it should be fun -- as long as Mansell makes a more auspicious comeback than his last few F1 races, where he developed a tendency to throw the car at the scenery...
Give us 1000 bhp with NO Ground Effects or Downforce of any kind; cars that can't help sliding everywhere. You'll see some passing, then - something similar to 125cc GP bike racing...
Fantastic to see these guys racing again, I can't wait, Mansell was my F1 hero
That was real racing then, so exciting...now its just...bleh. Poo. I enjoy the old "masters" so much much more than the trendy teens. Watching Conners and McEnrow play tennis is great (and that guy who always jokes around). I wish Cliff "The Grinder" Thorburn and all the old Snooker clan were on TV instead of the damp squibs that are todays "stars".
jazzyjeff said:
No doubt Arnoux and Danner will spend most of the race being blue flagged for holding the others up!! lol!
yes because they both had the best cars throughout their career didnt they?!?! danner had to suffer the god awful AGS and arnoux was hardly a slouch at Renault was he? now Patrese on the other hand!...
smallend said:
I heard from a friend in the business that a certain GT team has been working on getting Big Nige to partake in some tasty DB9 racing in the near future... I guess they have big pockets!
On the other hand, their sponsers will be well chuffed. I mean talk about positive publicity, even if he'll probably crash it if he can't make it win.
If you think about it, the fiddling with rules for the cars in current F1 is just a red herring to cover up the real reason nobody is watching or falling asleep : the people that run (in) it.
I hope this old geezers' race gets televised somehow
alanc5 said:
Whoop Prosts arse Nige!
Fantastic to see these guys racing again, I can't wait, Mansell was my F1 hero
Yup, completely agree with you - everyone goes on about Senna, but all I can remember of watching F1 in "the good 'ole days" was all the great overtaking manouvres Nige pulled on Senna, Piquet, Prost - fan-bloody-tastic!
>> Edited by AlexRWD on Friday 2nd September 19:18
I can see Stuck and the likes race in the VLN, running against mere mortals, and enjoy it much more. No need for an elite series for washed up F1 jockeys.
hammerwerfer said:
No need for an elite series for washed up F1 jockeys.
a la DTM then
I'm all for it. Although I still watch F1 (when there's no MotoGP or WSB), it has become a parody of itself over the past few years, particularly with Ferrari in bed with the FIA. I just wish the real owners of the "sport" - the banks, would show some balls and exert some influence to improve the show. Burnt Ecclescake and Oswald Jr. have clearly lost the plot and need to go.
7.
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