Nitro, Olympic swimmers and Super GP...OOOOWAAAAHHHAAA

[retro]

slightly more info here...

Hooton denies A1GP rumours
Date: 15 October 2009 - 05:13pm



Greg Hooton may have been adamant that the Gold Coast’s SuperGp event will go ahead next week, but he wasn't as certain as to whether the A1GP cars would be part of the show.

The SuperGP general manager fronted media at the track today to hose down speculation that A1GP cars would be no shows at this year's race.

However, in trying to allay concerns over the event he heightened speculation that the V8 Supercars may get top billing at next week's event.

"I need to make it clear that this event is happening next week," he said.

"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."

Mr Hooton acknowledged the rumours swirling around the event, but said that A1GP had not breached any terms of contract with Gold Coast Motor Events.

"The current situation is as follows, operational staff within A1GP continue to work with our staff on preparing for their race," he said.

"A1GP have released their teams list. I have letters from the competing teams committing to racing on the Gold Coast. A1GP have paid deposits on accommodation.

"A1GP have paid deposits on the hire of general equipment. A1GP have approved and completed their on-track signage. Where necessary, A1GP Teams have been making visa applications.

"They (A1GP) have released their 2009/10 series calendar and yesterday further released details on their next round in Zhuhai, which will follow our round.

"They have had their series rules for acing approved. They have provided a provisional driver listing to us but under their rules of racing this in fact can change up until the Wednesday before the event and in fact driver changes can occur between races within an event.

"A1GP are responsible for their own freight bookings and movement to ensure the cars are here for racing next Thursday.

"The taxpayer has not lost money, nor does the taxpayer face any risk of losing money at this event. This event, as has been stated previously, is completely underwritten by IMG."

However, Mr Hooton admitted he did not know why the A1GP cars had not left England, and said he would be in contact with the group overnight to clarify freight arrangements.

Earlier in the day motor racing legend and stake holder in the Australian A1GP team Alan Jones said A1GP's communications had been appalling.

However, he said in his experience as a racer the modifications to the event’s cars that had been proscribed by FIA would only take a couple of hours a car.

"No matter what, we'll still be here at Billy’s Beach House for the launch party next Tuesday night," he said

[Armco Bender]

A1GP appearance on Gold Coast in Doubt

The first round of the 2009 / 2010 A1GP season appears to be in doubt with claims the cars are not even on their way to Australia let alone will have the required safety improvements before the opening practice session on Thursday Morning let alone the planned test sessions at Queensland Raceway this Monday.

Nikon Super GP General Manager, Greg Hooton held a press conference today to attempt to clarify the position of his organisations dealings with A1GP organisers however his statement appears to raise more doubts than before.

This has caused a furious warning from acting Queensland Premier, Paul Lucas, giving A1GP organisers a 24hr ultimatum to guarantee the series cars will be flown from London to the Gold Coast in time for next week's race.

"I'm told that they haven't yet booked the race car transport, but I'm told that they've booked their accommodation and their visas are in process," Mr Lucas said.

"In the next 24 hours we want confirmation to make sure that they get here.

http://www.ozracingwrap.com/a1gp/814...-in-doubt.html

[retro]

[wick]

Originally Posted by retro

Plan B...?

Has the call gone out to members of the Qld Gemini series yet?

[D.R.T.]

Calling all Indycars.........

[V8 Fireworks]

They could have some kind of Formula Boss race? If a couple of A1GP cars show up they could race against any other wings and slicks cars that show up to make a grid?

[V8 Fireworks]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Calling all Indycars.........

What happened to Gorey's example that exploded in the pits at QR?

[Woolley]

It's an interesting situation to not know if the headline act is definitely coming just a few days before the race. A1GP should never have moved from the new cars which were entertaining and spectacular. Who cares if they weren't state of the art, they produced great racing.

Isn't it a bit late to get anything else in to replace them, especially at a circuit potentially as damaging as Surfers? High speeds and concrete walls require decent budgets and strong cars.

[MickAU]

Joe Saward offers an (as always) interesting opinion on his blog:

http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2009/...ers-to-follow/

There was a second fiddle ready to go...but with a week until session 1?

A1GP at QR would be interesting in itself. How many cars would make it through the bumps unscathed?

[GTRMagic]

Not very nice....

Truth...

[Average Punter]

They say "refunds will not be issued..."

That's shaky ground isn't it?

Until you read the small print in the terms and conditions. You know, the bit after Motor Racing is Dangerous...

If the description of, or participants in, the event change, you cannot exchange your ticket and you cannot obtain a refund.

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Truth...

Another 'opinion' peice from V8SA in the guise of a news story.

This event is on the bring of extinction with or without A1GP. Despite the V8's massive following the event has had noticeably less hype and interest without Indycar.

[Crash Test]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

This event is on the bring of extinction with or without A1GP. Despite the V8's massive following the event has had noticeably less hype and interest without Indycar.

D.R.T.- can you do 10-10ths a favour, and start up your own thread called "D.R.T.'s Whine Thread"? That way you don't have to clog up every other thread with your sour ****.

For 2 points, I nominate D.R.T....

[bazil]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Another 'opinion' peice from V8SA in the guise of a news story.

This event is on the bring of extinction with or without A1GP. Despite the V8's massive following the event has had noticeably less hype and interest without Indycar.

Really... So the contract with V8 supercars means??? The less hype you suggest appears to be more from the poor handling of the event and its marketing. First they sign an open wheeler series that has been in financial strife since inception, and then they sign a 4 van single factory energy drink sponsor that is headed up by a shonky Olympian and then at the last minute turn to the V8's as the events savior. Little wonder the public were skeptical and nervous about booking anything in advance, confusion as been king...

“Massive following” is right and the event will still attract huge numbers with or without A1. However,there is no doubt it will be down on numbers to previous years. Considering the disgraceful job done by IMG and SuperGP management, the numbers that do turn up, will be testament to the strength and popularity of Supercars. If the event was properly marketed as a “Supercar Event” similar to Clipsal, the numbers would be even stronger.

Then again we should know better than to expect sensible comment from yourself when it comes to Supercars, shouldn’t we?? You are the same expert that on another thread tried to compare Australian Soccer television audiences and TV ratings as a competitor to Supercars....

P.S I second and third that notion Crash Test...

[Bown]

I think a grid of about 20 iconic touring cars, being driven by iconic drivers, belting around surfers would keep the punters happy?

I'm tragically biased, but I know what I would rather see.

We got great feedback from when we did it at Clipsal many moons ago?

[Crash Test]

Seriously, for a long time the open wheelers haven't been a drawcard. Champ Cars and Indycars had practically zero following in Australia, pretty much since the IRL split. Horrible TV locally and a lack of name drivers meant that people were watching the race simply because the cars were loud and fast.

As an actual hard core fan, the last few years of Champ Car were disappointing because of the lack of depth and talent in the field, and last year's event was awful- those cars were deadset pigs on the circuit.

The event is the biggest one in Queensland, and defiantly the Gold Coast. It is much more of a party than a car race meeting (as street circuit events are these days). So long as you had cars running around the circuit, the punters would get involved. Ideally, you would probably want V8 Supercars, V8 Utes (they were very sorely missed last week by the punters), then say some good close elbows out racing classes, Commodore Cup, HQ Holdens, Biante Series or Group Ns, and Sports Sedans for a big bang.

[racer69]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

This event is on the bring of extinction with or without A1GP. Despite the V8's massive following the event has had noticeably less hype and interest without Indycar.

Originally Posted by Crash Test

D.R.T.- can you do 10-10ths a favour, and start up your own thread called "D.R.T.'s Whine Thread"? That way you don't have to clog up every other thread with your sour ****.

Hasn't the QLD Government repeatedly stated the event won't go on without an International category (ie...won't be an Australian only event)?? Going by that, and in line with current events, doesn't that put the future of the event in jeopardy??

Interesting we are seeing members seemingly being told to move along for not 'toeing the line' also

[retro]

Originally Posted by racer69

Hasn't the QLD Government repeatedly stated the event won't go on without an International category (ie...won't be an Australian only event)?? Going by that, and in line with current events, doesn't that put the future of the event in jeopardy??

Interesting we are seeing members seemingly being told to move along for not 'toeing the line' also

Yes...they have said it will never be a stand alone V8 Supercar event...

So if A1 don't show [lol] then this could be it.

[cptkablamo]

Yep, I am with DRT on this one...
1. The Qld Gov wants international
2. There maybe road and transport plans at the GC that takes part of the track
3. A1GP was no draw, but Champ Car certainly was (given the crowd figure for race day fell 20 000 last year to its peak and I would predict will fall more this year. http://www.austadiums.com/sport/stadium.php?id=177)
4. Not everyone has to love V8 supercars and not everyone does. Deal with it.

And I am sick of this argument. I have my passes this year. I will go anyway. I may not go as long and if it is to be V8 only in the future, I will not go again. I wish for definitive statement to say yes or no.

[bazil]

Originally Posted by racer69

Interesting we are seeing members seemingly being told to move along for not 'toeing the line' also

Cods, racer. You find one post from "your" fellow member where constructive comment or debate is provided as opposed to cheap potshots and negative diatribe on any Supercar thread or topic. It’s one thing to have healthy debate regardless of opinion but repetitive negativity at every opportunity is not only a downer for others but quite frankly tiresome.


There are plenty of other Ten Tenths members that may not like everything that is Supercars but at least they offer mixed opinions and comment instead broken record crap…

[275 GTB-4]

I'm going too...sad that any event degenerates into farce because (lets face it) Australians get way too few opportunities to attend a big meeting (especially with an international flavour)

[Crash Test]

Re: International classes.

Back in the CART days, the series had a worldwide following and fantastic television around the globe. In the past 5 years, the international TV coverage pretty much wasn't there. Apart from the teams turning up, fans from overseas traveling here for the event could probably be counted in their hundreds, making up a relatively small portion of the total attendance.

I thought that the TV coverage provided by A1GP would be a big bonus for the event, because there appeared to be a decent worldwide footprint. This is going to be an area of let down for the QLD Government and GCMEC, who will no doubt exercise their legal position against A1GP for not fronting.

Future of the event in doubt? Hrmm, long term contracts seem to be in place with V8 Supercar, there's a long term lease on the new pit lane facilities, and much time and money has been spent on the facilities and amenities in the past 12 months. I think the biggest oversight/issue is this tram track that they are planning on running past the Holiday Inn, but I'm sure that could be diverted one block further south to avoid an issue.

If Townsville (a QLD Government backed event), Hamilton and Adelaide can run successful V8-only events, there is no reason why the Gold Coast would be any different. The Government put $11.6 million into the $30 million budget for the event, and if there are any losses, they get piled on IMG. I wonder how many million it takes to bring these international acts out here, and what sort of savings could be had by not having them?

One last thing re- lead up to the event. There was a lot of mis-information at this time last year regarding the Indy situation not returning this year, with many general punters believing that the event was not going to happen. I Feel for Crusher Co. in having to try and straighten out the mess....

Not eveyone on 10-10ths may be a V8 Supercar fan, but fortunately for the event, this absolute minority make up a very small portion of the total potential attendance.

[bazil]

Originally Posted by 275 GTB-4

I'm going too...sad that any event degenerates into farce because (lets face it) Australians get way too few opportunities to attend a big meeting (especially with an international flavour)

It is sad and a farce agreed. Although I am partial to Supercars and think they will more than handle the load, I still wouldn't mind seeing Champ/Indy or even Sports cars on the Gold Coast program for a bit of international flavour.

[Tourer]

This could be the opportunity for Mr Ratel to get his sportscar series down here without the risk factor for the promoter. If he can trim his (allegedly) excessive appearance fee and come to an event like the Gold Coast, which is already a successful event and which has a very popular local series running as a double header, then he may just establish his brand and racing here in Oz.

That way the promoter can already plan on a good crowd (brought by the party, the event and the V8s) with some additional "cream" crowd attracted by the sportscars.

Personally, I reckon that'd be pretty cool. In the US, Sportscars do the occasional double header with other series and it works quite well.

Much safer bet than A1 which has had a financial cloud hanging over it for several years and which has never quite seemed to find its place in the natural order of things.

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by bazil

It is sad and a farce agreed. Although I am partial to Supercars and think they will more than handle the load, I still wouldn't mind seeing Champ/Indy or even Sports cars on the Gold Coast program for a bit of international flavour.

I'd be happy to see over 20 Kiwis bring their F5000s over...that would qualify as International (wouldn't it??)