This is the first i heard that there will be 2 races of the A1 GP in the USA http://f1.racing-live.com/en/headlines/news/detail/050712130011.shtml While it is not F1 it might be interesting to see this race at Laguna.
I'd treat this like the announcement of a new racetrack being built -- when the green flag waves, you know it's real. They haven't gotten "approval" by the FIA, half the tracks are nonexistant, etc.
The A1 GP is real. The car is real. the teams are real. The British team is going to be run by Arden. FIA?! What is this FIA thing?! Everyone keeps talking about thim! I never heard of them before! Aprroval from FIA... pay them for approval... who the heck made them boss! The A1GP is going to be a fantastic series to follow!
Hi Imperial! Yes you are correct - here's "proof of the pudding" http://www.a1gp.com/racing/season.php?flashNavId=2&raceid=2 They even run is South Africa - wouldn't mind seeing an F1 race there again perhaps some day. Carol
Yeah, nothing at all. http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/roadracing/17140/ PS - didn't they already make a movie about a sheik putting on a "race"?
From recent and past issues with the FIA, I can see why this would be very beneficial to be out of the FIA's umbrella. But what does the FIA provide for F1 and other racing sanctions?
The weekend ticket for the race at Brands Hatch on 25 September is 39.00 GBP. Considering our Sunday only seats at Imola were 265 Euro each that make this series a real bargain. They are expressing confidence that 23 cars will form the grid. Interesting. Carol
Am I the only one on here who couldn't care less? - It is not F1. - It is a spec racer series. - It has nobodies as drivers. - No Ferraris in it I'd say it is about on the same level as Champ cars, maybe one step up from IRL.
http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=25196 So A1GP will be viewable by almost 290 million households. BUT NO COVERAGE DEAL FOR USA! (YET!!!) tifosi12: A1GP should not be viewed as competition to Formula 1. It will be a series that complements F1 during the off season to keep interests in INTERNATIONAL open wheel racing alive. The concept of countries entering the competition to represent national pride is unique. Please wait for the announcement of the AMERICAN (USA) team that will represent us. The negotiations are in their final phase and it will be a great step for that team to make the jump after a few years into F1.
At least they show to run all road courses and not boring oval roundy-round bump-bump races. There's a road race in San Antonio on February 26 so just might have to add it to the calendar for next year - besides it give just another excuse to go eat Mexican food on the River! Carol
Ok, if it is something to tie us over the winter, that's ok. I did realize that it is not oval bumpercar nonsense and that it does have an international flavor, which makes it a lot more appealing than anything else (except F1 of course).
Yes and the A1GP will also serve one more very important pupose. The A1GP will get Laguna Seca ready for F1. You should read my post in the British Grand prix (/ F1 doom gloom thread) It will cheer you up.
Champ car wasn't able to do that. Why should A1 GP be any different? Not trying to be negative, just curious.
The answer is very basic. A1GP is going to give a huge boost in terms of infrastructure and facilities required to run an event such as F1 to the area. Champ car does not mandate the type of international logistics and services that will be required by A1GP and then later on F1.
I have my doubts that the Series will be viable, BUT, they have some interesting ideas in the series. They have speced out a "boost button" that Max just came up with the idea of, like Max's idea, it can only be used for a limited time in each event. Spec slick tires take the tire out of the equation, making it a drivers series, not a Tire Manufactures championship. The have spec'd out a body design. This body is designed to alllow close following and passing, by eliminating the turbulance behind the car. Wheel to wheel racing kicks ass. The series has alot of good ideas that I think would improve F1, but without name drivers and car manufacteres, it will have limited apppeal.
With the national team concept it may just bring in a different type of spectator in the fact that it will be abattle of nations in there eye. I agree it is nothing more than a spec series but the formula is unique in they approach they are taking with it. Where as CART's formula pretty much has been the same for 15+ years. IRL is still trying to figure out what they want to do (Ovals only or a mix of road and ovals) plus they might have an engine crisis in the next year with Chevy, Honda, and Toyota getting out of the IRL on top of this The IRL was supposed to create a cheap series to race with open spec not leased engines. How long did that last. It might take the A1 GP a while to get all of the bugs worked out but if they get it right more and more teams will go there way and it will grow Something F1 has been trying to do with little luck. Perhaps in the future some A1 teams will want to step it up and move from A1 to Formula 1.
I think A1 will be very popular. You don't need brand names Like Ferrari and BMW to make it popular the fact that you have countries fighting eaching other on the track will attract a lot of people to the sport. Aslo Sheikh Maktoum has done a very smart thing by racing in the off season to all other open-wheel racing (like F1, IRL and CART). I would guess the series will have a lot of viewers from F1 watching it. And unlike F1 we might actually see some passing on the track, instead of in the pits or on the 1st corner (from the start). Don't get me wrong I'am an F1 fan and I won't stop watching, but the last race at silverstone bored me to death. The only good part was the overtaking JPM did on Alonso and when Alonso almost got out infront of him after the 1st pitstop. Other than that it was boring.
I think the series will be successful. First year will have its growing pains. For example, Nur Ali who had previously been announced as driver for India lives here in Texas and amateur club races with Chris Taylor and I. His skill is average at best on a Texas amateur level, much less as an international pro.
