A1 Grand Prix Series

GTV27 · 31 Mar 2004, 06:05 (Ref:924799)

Race series may Sheikh F1
By Toby Forage
March 31, 2004

A NEW motor sport series featuring some of the lightest and fastest cars in the world was launched yesterday with the promise of being every bit as glamorous as Formula One.

Nations will line up against each other on grids around the world in the A1 Grand Prix Series, which went on parade in Dubai.

One of the A1 cars, which can "fly" at speeds of 300km/h / AP Photo
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0...-23770,00.html

The presentation of what is being dubbed the "world cup of motor sport" was in pole position to ride in a slipstream of motor sport publicity surrounding the Middle East's inaugural F1 Grand Prix this week in Bahrain.

Approved by the FIA, motor sport's world governing body, the A1 series will start in Dubai in September 2005.

Australia has been earmarked as a race destination alongside China, Japan, Malaysia, South Africa, Bahrain and Qatar.

Thirty custom-made single-seater A1 cars will run in the competition, racing at speeds of up to 300km/h against each other.

Race cars will be franchised to various nations, so countries - rather than companies - can compete for glory.

Organisers claim it will be one of the most competitive motor sports series in the world, too, with the skills of the drivers the absolute focus.

Identical cars and the outlaw of engine modifications will, it is hoped, puncture any possibility of a Michael Schumacher-Ferrari-style championship domination.

The A1 car weighs in at approximately 600kg without the driver and the fuel and is believed to be one of the lightest racing vehicles in the world.

"I have driven fast cars before, but this is exceptional," Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum, a member of Dubai's ruling family, said at yesterday's launch.

"Put wings on it, and it would fly."

Nations with a need for speed simply have to pay a fee for their team, ensure interest from that franchise, and they can start their engines.

It's not cheap, however, with "seat" prices ranging from $US5 million to $US180 million ($6.6 million to $239 million).

The franchises will aim to recruit countries not been previously involved in motor sport at a high level.

"We'll be reaching out to nearly 80 per cent of the world's population," a spokesman for A1 said.

Like F1, races will be held over weekends, with three-day meetings planned.

A1 is not in direct competition with the multi-million dollar F1 racing circus, though, as its season will run through the northern winter, F1's traditional off-season.

Sheikh Maktoum would not reveal the cost of building the cars, which were manufactured by UK-based Lola International and powered by 3.5-litre engines of Langford Performance Engineering.

The series was launched in lavish UAE style at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, overlooking the Gulf and Dubai's landmark Burj al-Arab hotel - with seven stars the world's tallest and most luxurious place to stay.

FOX SPORTS

HEHEHEHEHE Yeah, righto. Good luck with that one fellas

GTV27 · 31 Mar 2004, 06:09 (Ref:924801)

Sorry, I should have edited that down a bit, but I was having such a good giggle over it that I could bear to cut any.

james_williams · 31 Mar 2004, 06:11 (Ref:924802)

Another one make series then!!

Does this not have all the hallmarks of PremierF1?

Wrex · 31 Mar 2004, 06:18 (Ref:924805)

Quote:

Originally posted by GTV27
It's not cheap, however, with "seat" prices ranging from $US5 million to $US180 million ($6.6 million to $239 million).

Well that narrows it down

climb · 31 Mar 2004, 06:56 (Ref:924847)

I just wonder why should a brand-new monamake get the same popularity of a historical multi make series.
The only thing they seem to have in common is the very high costs, which is not a strong point for a monomake.

Rob29 · 31 Mar 2004, 07:13 (Ref:924862)

Figures seem to need more explanation.Is that fron one car to all 30?
This was first anounced a couple of months ago,and does look like the Premier1 concept rehashed.

Led ZeppF1 · 31 Mar 2004, 07:34 (Ref:924880)

Another article about A1 GP series, from grandprix.com.

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns12681.html

Kicking-back · 31 Mar 2004, 08:47 (Ref:924931)

Won't ever happen.

climb · 31 Mar 2004, 09:08 (Ref:924949)

Agreed

climb · 31 Mar 2004, 09:10 (Ref:924953)

.. and let's not forget that, the more high-sounding the press releases, the lower the odds has the project to become reality

noweels · 31 Mar 2004, 10:05 (Ref:925004)

Can Bernie earn anything out of this?

Suze · 31 Mar 2004, 10:25 (Ref:925025)

LOL I'm sure if he can, he will!

noweels · 31 Mar 2004, 11:04 (Ref:925051)

Maybe this series is a step on the ladder for drivers who want to go on to Premier 1

Paul Rayner · 31 Mar 2004, 11:22 (Ref:925064)

I can see a few problems, such as the having to get sponsors from your own country when it doesn't visit Europe, but the off-season could be a really good niche to fill. There's a lot of money behind it, (and, unlike Premier 1, they haven't said how much, which is a good thing), so I wouldn't write it off yet.

This isn't Premier 1.

Elton Julian · 31 Mar 2004, 12:18 (Ref:925132)

Watch this space. They have already done more than you think. I will do everything to be part of it because it is going to be the next best thing to being an F1 driver. Private project and very well funded.

Redracer77 · 31 Mar 2004, 12:29 (Ref:925145)

Having done a lot of work in Dubai they do seem to put their money where their mouth is and they are currently building a number of projects in Dubai that are a bit wacky like - DubaiLand - 5 times the size of Disney World....

If anyone can work a mad idea like this then the arabs can.

Paul Rayner · 31 Mar 2004, 12:54 (Ref:925174)

Another thing to remember about this championship is that tobacco companies have nothing to stop them advertising in the Far East, so could be very interested in a new sport arriving that they can use to promote their goods. That could give the series a great deal of money.

Rob29 · 31 Mar 2004, 13:22 (Ref:925217)

Quote:

Originally posted by Paul Rayner
Another thing to remember about this championship is that tobacco companies have nothing to stop them advertising in the Far East, so could be very interested in a new sport arriving that they can use to promote their goods. That could give the series a great deal of money.

Only for one season. From end of 2006 most civilised countries of the world have signed up for the WHO worldwide ban on the fag adds.
I hope this does happen as it will give us something to watch in the cold winter months.I remember the 60s when F1 drivers did 8 Tasman races in Aus/NZ.

Kicking-back · 31 Mar 2004, 15:39 (Ref:925369)

Quote:

Originally posted by Elton Julian
Watch this space. They have already done more than you think. I will do everything to be part of it because it is going to be the next best thing to being an F1 driver. Private project and very well funded.

When you say "be a part of it" do you mean you'd be driving in it?

That would be good.

If it does go ahead I hope we get live coverage.

ensign14 · 31 Mar 2004, 16:59 (Ref:925432)

This is a big problem for F1. All the cash-rich Arabic companies will be more inclined to sponsor this than 'proper' Grand Prix.

Having said that, an off-season season sounds good to me. There will be no real competition for coverage which may be the clincher in making this a success.

ralf fan · 31 Mar 2004, 17:06 (Ref:925437)

Well Dubai have the funds and the money ans it may be well run... but the main thing is Can they attract the best drivers?

ralf fan · 31 Mar 2004, 17:11 (Ref:925443)

Quote:

Originally posted by Redracer77
Having done a lot of work in Dubai they do seem to put their money where their mouth is and they are currently building a number of projects in Dubai that are a bit wacky like - DubaiLand - 5 times the size of Disney World....

If anyone can work a mad idea like this then the arabs can.

They actually are making 7 man made islands each shaped as a seperate continent of the world!!!

i really dont think it is beyond these guys... I have been to dubai... their whole income is based on tourists and each year they come up with new tourist attractions. I wouldnt be suprised at all if it all worked out.

ralf fan · 31 Mar 2004, 17:15 (Ref:925444)

oh and interestingly thhey might hold most of the races (not sure) during the WInter months of F1... hence thats probably tv competition out of the way

GolddustMini · 31 Mar 2004, 20:09 (Ref:925596)

aparently its one of the lightest racing vehicles in the world at 600kg.........

so bikes, formula fords and jedi's etc arnt racing vehicles then....

shoot the man with the scales

thats premier one relaunched isnt it, only this time with cars with pointy wings

"put wings on it and it would fly" really??? how, considering its forward motion relies upon the contact of the wheels on the ground....

hmmm

marcus · 1 Apr 2004, 07:53 (Ref:926056)

At first I thought this was an April fools joke but it seems it may not be.

the picture of the car they released does look impressive but there are some major problems.

as mentioned above sponsorship from a particular country may just be pretty hard to raise (Australia was mentioned and believe me they wont get a dime out of corporate Australia)

And if its a one make forumla why the heck do the seats range from 5 million to 180 million ???

thats just crazy , geez you'd have to be happy paying 180 mill to get the same car as the guy next to you who only paid 5 mill LOL

but it could have it's good points , perhaps Grand Prix drivers may get involved (but due to contracts probably wont) or drivers who have only been out of F1 for a year or so but still wanna race a high powered single seater may be involved.
CART and IRL drivers to perhaps and even GT drivers , could be an interesting mix.

Time will tell if this goes ahead and how good it will be but for now I kinda like the picture they released

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
A1 Grand Prix Winter Series	BSchneiderFan	National & International Single Seaters	7	10 Feb 2004 16:40
Grand Prix Manager : French Grand Prix results	Wrex	Formula One	4	10 Jul 2003 10:25
American Grand Prix Series	GoFaster	ChampCar World Series	22	20 Jun 2003 16:01
Premier 1 Grand Prix Series ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh	jvilleneuve2000	Formula One	15	11 Aug 2000 04:53