GP2 Asia

Charlies · 24 May 2007, 16:06 (Ref:1920377)

Seems the suggestion of a GP2 Asia series is now happening:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/59092

Bernie clearly realises that the only way to build a fan base in Asia and the Mid-East is to have home grown talent in F1. A short first season and presumably they'll use the current cars when they're replaced next season.

I wonder if it will affect A1 GP's popularity.

kipper · 24 May 2007, 16:46 (Ref:1920408)

I think that Asian GP2 is a good idea in that motorsport interest will surely grow in regions such as the Middle East if there is reasonably regular, high level motorsport action takes place.

As to whether A1GP is detrimentally affected, then whilst I suspect that finacial support for A1GP could be diluted as companies have an alternative product to support, it could prove beneficial as spectators become aware of Asian GP2 and F1 and then become interested in A1GP.

Mekola · 24 May 2007, 18:43 (Ref:1920503)

It could affect A1GP development because many GP2 teams are currently involved in several A1GP teams (for example, SuperNova attended the cars of Germany and New Zealand).
Being GP2 a series where Bernie is among its owners, it could force turn down GP2 teams involvements in A1GP in favour of GP2 Asia ones.

**gomick** · 25 May 2007, 08:25 (Ref:1920840)

gp2 uses renault engines doesnt it

- why does bernie want this when the asia v6 renault championship has just started and there is about 15 (max) cars in it...

i know there are billions of people in this region, but, how many of them are wealthy enough/good enough to become racing drivers.... saying that, maybe its a 10 year plan!

Alex K · 25 May 2007, 08:38 (Ref:1920851)

They are, Karthikeyan, Zuber (

), Chandhok, Tahincoglu, Cipa, Artam...

Alt. Zuber should win the winter series if he is due to compete in it.

Jackman · 25 May 2007, 13:57 (Ref:1921052)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlies

I wonder if it will affect A1 GP's popularity.

All the best A1 teams are run by GP2 teams, who will go racing in GP2 Asia with much better cars than A1, and probably better drivers as well.

So it probably won't have much of an effect, then.

Go_For_Pole · 25 May 2007, 14:27 (Ref:1921068)

How difficult will it be for A1 to find teams provided that the franchise holders have the money? Not much I would think.

And then again, how many franchise holders..
a) Are for the Asia Pacific etc area?
b) Would be willing to turn their backs on the investment they have made in A1?

and how many circuits will be affected anyway? They say three rounds, two of them supporting F1 so why Taupo for instance should be affected?

Asa · 27 May 2007, 08:20 (Ref:1921917)

I doubt any GP2 teams will have the money to run in the series if they can't find drivers to pay for the rides. Drivers will be more able to pay if the series is well covered by the TV stations in Asia and I think that is still very weak right now.

Martin Haven · 27 May 2007, 08:55 (Ref:1921927)

Looks like the first season will be more Middle eastern-based than far East... should support Bahrain and Malaysia GPs...

some current GP2 teams are expressing interest but I suspect that others - say, the likes of Nakajima, 3-Bond and so on from Japan and maybe some Asian F3 and V6 teams will also be interested...

It'd be a good step up for a decent F3 or V6 team, and as more Far eastern GPs hit the schedules, more F1 support opportunities would open up...

of course, there are also the Japanese and Aussie GPs which Asian GP2 might support in coming seasons, making it even more appealing for Pacific Rim sponsors, as well as places like Macau, which might become a kind of Asian GP2 Monaco

Asa · 28 May 2007, 04:38 (Ref:1922513)

Macau is a class 4 track if I remember rightly and GP2 cars cannot race there.

Ultimately I think Bernie wants GP2 to become an Asian winter series to rival A1GP, really just to get the same GP2 teams to run the races for drivers who want to do a winter series. No Asian F3 or V6 teams need to step up.

Rob29 · 28 May 2007, 07:30 (Ref:1922547)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asa

Macau is a class 4 track if I remember rightly and GP2 cars cannot race there.

What exactly is a 'class 4' circuit? Never heard this term before.F3 & touring cars race safely at Macau,F.Atlantic in the past.Don't see why cars with more powerful engines should not.Or is this a Bernie thing-refers to the size of the pit garages?

Valker · 28 May 2007, 08:19 (Ref:1922562)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob29

What exactly is a 'class 4' circuit?

FIA Grade 4 licensed circuit.

If Macau is Grade 4 track, it can host single seaters and sports cars up to 2000cc and (touring) cars of groups N, A and SP.

See the Appendix O of the International Sporting Code for more information:
http://www.fia.com/resources/documen...pendix_O_a.pdf

Lam Pak · 3 Jun 2007, 23:00 (Ref:1928000)

I confirm Macau Guia is a FIA Grade 4 licensed circuit amd I cant see GP2 running in F3 weekend.

Adri_tifosi · 6 Jun 2007, 13:06 (Ref:1930239)

Sportmotores tell Racing Engineering and Campos Grand Prix are interested in GP2 Asia

driftwood · 9 Jun 2007, 13:14 (Ref:1933131)

Asia has F BMW Renault V6 Asian F3 & China has F Renault and all bar BMW struggle to get more than 15 drivers with budgets
You can race in these series for US $ 100-150k which is good value for money
How can GP2 expect to find drivers with the required budgets from this region
you need 5 years of running lower formulas to generate enough drivers (with money! ) who are capable of stepping up and doing well
They are going to need EEC USA S american drivers for the 1st 2 seasons to fill the seats and will a driver with half the EEC GP2 budget want to gamble on spending his budget to do Asian series and become big fish in the little pond
It will be interesting to see if it gets off the ground I certainly would not be putting my money on it

duke_toaster · 13 Jun 2007, 17:59 (Ref:1936128)

I would have thought a GP2 Americas series would have been more sensible ...

driftwood · 13 Jun 2007, 19:45 (Ref:1936239)

oh yes that works well with USA having already
F atlantic IRL irl lites indycar FF2000 Fbmw they tried Frenault and f3 didnt work
Far too many formulas of similar calibre & costs in EEC and usa
Fbmw FFord Frenault F3 in UK and euroseries plus german french c/ships GP2 World series by renault then 2 Italian f3000 series
In asia FBMW Frenault Frenault V6 F3 and now they want to push GP2

not enough money and drivers around to fulfil
the race tracks want big $$ to stage events no promoter is going to host these sereis unless they can wash their faces

Lightning Bug · 14 Jun 2007, 08:59 (Ref:1936695)

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

I would have thought a GP2 Americas series would have been more sensible ...

America already has a GP2 equivalent - Sebastien Bourdais is leading it at the moment.

hotwheels · 14 Jun 2007, 18:35 (Ref:1937037)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lightning Bug

America already has a GP2 equivalent - Sebastien Bourdais is leading it at the moment.

Yeah,

It's not so good as gp2, but it is ok to watch.

Jimmy Magnusson · 7 Aug 2007, 11:55 (Ref:1983338)

Super Nova confirmed for GP2 Asia 2008.

http://www.supernova-racing.com/news..._id=9&nwsid=10

Mekola · 9 Aug 2007, 10:14 (Ref:1984768)

On last GP2 races, problems on car engines and gearboxes affected several drivers. Does it affect GP2 Asia next winter?

bradrive · 10 Aug 2007, 14:28 (Ref:1985538)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mekola

On last GP2 races, problems on car engines and gearboxes affected several drivers. Does it affect GP2 Asia next winter?

May be not, it will run with 9000rpm max, which helps a lot

tomasengefan · 13 Aug 2007, 03:11 (Ref:1987222)

Japanese autosports magazine reported, GP2 asia entry confirmed.
All GP2 team will join asia series,except for RE.
Do you believe??

Go_For_Pole · 13 Aug 2007, 06:20 (Ref:1987262)

That RE will not enter yes, that everybody else will enter no

driftwood · 13 Aug 2007, 07:25 (Ref:1987284)

I suspect GP2 asia big smoke screen by Bernie to discredit A1 GP
nearly all GP 2 teams run A1 GP cars