New Zealand A1 GP license

[thejester]

To my surprise and joy a Kiwi car salesman has purchased the NZ license for A1GP.

http://xtramsn.co.nz/sport/0,,12049-4244422,00.html

I think this series is going to be very exciting, and a good opportunity for smaller nations like ours.

Does anyone know if having a national seat guarantees/increases the chance of a race in that country?

Maybe I'm pusghing my luck.

[flyingduck]

It can only help the chances jester

[Kicking-back]

I imagine New Zealand may well get a race - as it's a "winter series" in European terms, a country which will be in summer then is an ideal venue.

[mac]

But it's never summer in New Zealand!

[thejester]

Originally Posted by mac

But it's never summer in New Zealand!

You're baiting me but I'll bite

Your profile doesn't say, but I smell aussie.

[Slippy Diff]

Originally Posted by thejester

Does anyone know if having a national seat guarantees/increases the chance of a race in that country?

Maybe I'm pusghing my luck.

I hate to say it, but where would they hold the race? At the moment I would suggest that none of our tracks are suitable.

[thejester]

Originally Posted by Slippy Diff

I hate to say it, but where would they hold the race? At the moment I would suggest that none of our tracks are suitable.

I have to agree.

Maybe someone will be inspired to use the chance to upgrade somewhere. Manfeild?

I've never been a big Pukekohe fan, it's so basic.

Maybe Wellington streets?

[thejester]

btw, livery?
No doubt we'll go for the black and white/fern angle.
I'd suggest mainly white or the thing'll cook!

[Cedric]

Originally Posted by thejester

I have to agree.

Maybe someone will be inspired to use the chance to upgrade somewhere. Manfeild?

I've never been a big Pukekohe fan, it's so basic.

Maybe Wellington streets?

It is worth noting that Colin Giltrap is also a major player in the new waikato Track at Hampton Downs, Mere Mere, maybe there is a Link??????? it is proposed to be a full FIA standard track.

[Slippy Diff]

Originally Posted by Cedric

It is worth noting that Colin Giltrap is also a major player in the new waikato Track at Hampton Downs, Mere Mere, maybe there is a Link??????? it is proposed to be a full FIA standard track.

Hasn't that gone awfully quiet though?

[Warwick]

Originally Posted by Slippy Diff

I hate to say it, but where would they hold the race? At the moment I would suggest that none of our tracks are suitable.

I would suggest Ruapuna as it is curently the best overall facility in the country and has been for some time

What criteria does the track have to meet to run this class?

[Just Do It!]

Hi there all,

Firstly, this is a fantastic opportunity for New Zealand, but it is going to hurt the sponsorship market here for other motorsport immensely. The NZ A1GP franchise apparently cost NZ$7 million and there is some confusion as to whether any money has changed hands yet.
The cost of competing annually is apparently about NZ$10 million, so that's a fair drain on the sponsorship market here sadly. Dean Calvert, the ex-NZ IMG head who was gently rolled after the failed Auckland V8 Supercar street race debacle, has been hired to head the marketing and sponsorship drive that this venture will require.

Secondly, I am sure that Colin Giltrap would find it amusing that he is referred to as a Kiwi car salesman. I mean, well, he nearly controls the NZ new vehicle market and has his fingers in many brand pies. It's noted that he is worth NZ$280 million on last year's National Business Review Rich List - although some estimates place that at the far side of NZ$500 million in the true light of day.

I wasn't aware of Colin's involvement at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park apart from his ownership of one or two of the apartments there. I am confident that the circuit development funds have come from other sources ...... but I could be wrong.

Having said that, Hampton Downs would easily qualify for a round and that could be the link that was implied. It would be great to see. It is currently preparing for or may actually be seeking resource consent. I am pretty confident that that will happen, then we will all hear more

Drivers: Most likely candidate Johnny Reid

[Slippy Diff]

Hampton Downs are currently going through the resource consent process I gather.

[tanalised]

sorry, isn't Hampton Downs a bit far away from any major city for an international event

[Stephen Green]

Originally Posted by Warwick

I would suggest Ruapuna as it is curently the best overall facility in the country and has been for some time

What criteria does the track have to meet to run this class?

The circuit needs an FIA Grade 2 Licence.

[Slippy Diff]

Originally Posted by tanalised

sorry, isn't Hampton Downs a bit far away from any major city for an international event

No. Most of Auckland is within 1 to 1.5 hours drive, hamilton is the same. That is a huge catchment area.

[Just Do It!]

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

The circuit needs an FIA Grade 2 Licence.

I could be wrong, but I think Hampton Downs will be the only circuit in New Zealand that meets this requirement. Possibly Manfeild will comply, but I wouldn't say it was a certainty for them by any measure.

Hampton Downs surely leads the way in NZ

[thejester]

OK, so Bob McMurray, who apparently made tea at McLaren for a few years ,
(does anyone know, out of interest what he actually did there?)
has been made GM for the New Zealand team.

A few points of interest he has brought up:

1. The rules require all sponsorship to be from companies based in the country holding the license. Being as there won't be testing or development, does this put teams like NZ at any sort of disadvantage to teams from the US or Europe?
As someone has said, it WILL likely gut the sponsorship market for local formulae.

2. There are hints we may have more than one, and likely quite a few drivers. I think this is a good idea in terms of raising the profile of the comp and the team in it's inaugural year in particular. E.G. having Scott Dixon drive the US legs will be a publicity coup. Hopefully as it's winter it won't clash with IRL. Having Greg Murphy drive in Australia might also be good for publicity, but for the race itself?? Has Murph got ANY open wheel experience? Wonder what Chris Amon is up to...

3. No hints as yet on livery. ANy ideas? Black with a silver fern I guess. A la TKR.

Cheers,
Tj

[tanalised]

I'm pretty sure Murph ran in Formula Atlantic about 10 or so years ago

[Cedric]

Originally Posted by tanalised

I'm pretty sure Murph ran in Formula Atlantic about 10 or so years ago

1995: NZ Formula Holden Series winner

NZ Motor Cup winner

Pole position at the Sandown 500 (Holden Racing Team)



1994: 2nd place - Australian Formula Brabham Championship

NZ Gold Star Driver's Championship winner

NZ Grand Prix winner

NZ Formula Brabham Series winner

[mac]

He tested Indy Lights with Jason Bright and Craig Lowndes at the start of 2000 and performed reasonable well from what I understand.

[tanalised]

ah, Formula Brabham, thats what I was thinking of.

[GTRMagic]

From RaceNews:

FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS FOR NZ A1 GP FRANCHISE


Colin Giltrap, chairman of The Giltrap Group, and owner of the New Zealand franchise for the A1 Grand Prix, today announced further developments for the New Zealand franchise.

Bob McMurray has been appointed General Manager of the team.

He will be based in New Zealand and will manage and oversee all facets of the operation.

Bob brings a wealth of experience to the team having worked in Formula 1 for the McLaren International team for many years.

He has also been seen regularly on television in his role as Formula 1 expert on the Television New Zealand 'Shell Helix Motorsport Show' on TV1 for the past three seasons. That role will continue.

Bob said;

"After many years with McLaren International, at the very pinnacle of international motorsport, it is an honour to be involved with a truly New Zealand effort in what is the World Cup of Motorsport. The A1 Grand Prix is the ultimate nation versus nation series and there can be no greater honour in any sport than to represent your country. This is what we all intend to do and we will do so with pride."

Negotiations are also at an advanced stage with WSR Ltd to maintain and run the operational 'on track' side of the A1 Grand Prix New Zealand franchise.

WSR is based in the UK and led by Kiwis Dick Bennetts and Mike Ewan.

WSR has an enviable reputation in every form of motor racing that it has been involved in, having won the British Formula 3 Championship five times and been runner-up a further four times with drivers such as Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen, Rubens Barrichello and many others that have subsequently gone on to Formula 1 success.

The company has also had great success in saloon car racing.

Hamish Miller of sports marketing company Roar Group Ltd has been appointed to handle commercial and sponsorship arrangements.

Hamish is a sports marketing specialist with an impressive track record. In 2004 he was honoured to be one of 20 people from around the world selected and appointed a marketing instructor for football's world governing body FIFA.

He brings a wealth of experience in the areas of sponsorship procurement and rights negotiations.

Colin Giltrap went on to say:

"The A1 Grand Prix New Zealand franchise is a truly New Zealand-based and operated team in the true spirit of the A1 GP objectives. New Zealanders have always been at the front and centre of the very top classes of international motorsport and we are currently assembling a team that I believe will be able to take on the best in the world and make sure that New Zealand is at the forefront of the World Cup of Motorsport. We look forward to the challenge ahead."

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by thejester

OK, so Bob McMurray, who apparently made tea at McLaren for a few years ,
(does anyone know, out of interest what he actually did there?)
has been made GM for the New Zealand team.

From Here

"New Zealand is the spiritual home of the McLaren Formula One team - Bruce McLaren, the team founder, was born and raised there and started his racing career as a young man on the local tracks - and it is in Dairy Flat, Auckland that two of the team's longest serving members reside. Having moved initially to New Zealand in the early 1970's, much of Bob and Shaune McMurray's life has been spent commuting to the world-wide locations of the Formula One Grands Prix.

Bob having started with McLaren back in the early seventies, travelled to all the races and was responsible for the logistics of all the motorhomes and the on-track hospitality, whilst also being the man in the pits for the team's live VIP television link into the garage. He is currently appearing on TVNZ's coverage of the F1 Grand Prix as the 'studio expert' for the 2003 season. "

Pretty close I think

[Warwick]

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

The circuit needs an FIA Grade 2 Licence.

Currently no track in NZ is graded above FIA Grade 3, have they said Hampton downs will be a FIA Grade 2 track?

What are the requirements to get the FIA Grade 2?