A1 Grand Prix Unveils Final Spec Car
Written by John Davison · September 30, 2004
London, 30th September. Just six months after the launch of A1 Grand Prix in Dubai, series founder and CEO, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum, announces the signing of the first six national seat holders and unveils the final specification of the A1 Grand Prix car.
The United Kingdom, South Africa, China, Portugal, Pakistan and the Lebanon are the first countries to have secured their seats for the unique winter one-make championship commencing in Autumn 2005.
The announcement of the first national seat holders coincides with the official UK launch party being held in London with key figures from all the identified national seat holders in attendance to witness the formal unveiling of the A1 car.
Sheikh Maktoum will be presenting the UK national seat holders with their car at the launch party. In the perfect example of how the motorsport and business worlds have combined, the Chairman of the UK seat holders, John Surtees MBE, the only man to have won World Championships on two and four wheels, will be working closely with the man representing their business interests, Tony Clements. John Surtees will join Sheikh Maktoum on stage to take delivery of the car.
Sheikh Maktoum commented: “This is a significant step forward for A1 Grand Prix. We set ourselves demanding targets and six months down the line we are exceeding our own expectations. We are delighted to welcome all six national seat holders to the series, and the fact we have many more countries waiting to announce their participation in the series means our concept has been wholeheartedly embraced by both the business and motorsport fraternities.”
The definitive specification UK car has a distinctive red, white and blue livery that reflects the nationality of the team that will be running it. It is the culmination of hours of hard work on the designer’s drawing board, in a wind tunnel and on test tracks at Snetterton, England and Jerez, Spain.
The London ‘unveiling’ of both the first seat holders and car is the latest in a list of significant landmarks in the creation of what will be the first World Cup of Motorsport. The international FIA sanctioned series, which commences Autumn 2005 in motor racing’s traditional ‘off’ season, is unique and will bring together a sustainable business model with the high speed excitement of motorsport.
The 3.4 litre V8 A1 Grand Prix power plant will not only produce exciting racing, but will also give the series organisers flexibility in providing more power if needed.
Testing started in earnest in July and specialists in their fields were brought on board to strengthen the team. Former Formula 1 driver Ralph Firman became the series’ test driver, while the man who oversaw Bentley’s historic 2003 Le Mans 24 Hour Race win, John Wickham, was given the task of running the test programme and is now working full time for A1 Grand Prix as Operations Manager. A very important aspect of testing was to find the right tyre supplier. Feedback from the team confirmed that the Cooper Tire & Rubber Company had the ideal product and a deal was duly signed with them in early September.
The belief that A1 Grand Prix will be a compelling spectacle for all motorsport fans was strongly endorsed when its first broadcast licensee was announced in August. An exclusive deal was struck with Sky Sports for live coverage in the UK of not only the races, but also the practice and qualifying sessions.
A1 Grand Prix will be announcing more national seat holders in a few weeks’ time at the Official South African Seat Holders’ Launch event in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Comments
20 Responses to “A1 Grand Prix Unveils Final Spec Car”
Got something to say?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
WOW…now that’s a unique looking car. That rear wing is something else. Looks pretty hot to me.
It’d be nice to know what that 3.4 litre is pumping out - given they expect some headroom - I’ll bet they’re running about 600hp…. Anyone got any specifics?
All your questions should be answered at:
http://www.a1gp.com/home.html
The web site cited in Jeff’s comment doesn’t give any relevant info on the engine manufacturer….possibly Cosworth? Maybe why Flavio Briatore now wants to be an engine builder. Interesting.
It’s there you just have to scroll down in the goofy flash menu. There’s no web design like bad web design!
If Zytek is such a high performance engine builder, why not develop F1 power for Jordan, Minardi, Jaguar (In it’s next life) and possibly the Renault team if they bail out of the sport?
Hey, my conspiracy theory sensor just went off! Maybe that’s why Max is pushing for 2.4 litre V8’s for F1? How big of a difference between the A1 3.4 litre and a smaller lighter 2.4 V8 for F1 as Max wants?
I don’t know George. I hope they would not consider cutting the horsepower THAT much in F1.
BTW, out of curiousity, does anyone know if A1 is expecting to recruit drivers from the F1, F3000, CHAMP and Indy circuits?
Haven’t heard who A1 is recruiting - but Juan Pablo Montoya has said he’d be honored to be able to race in A1 for Columbia.
See Planet-F1:
http://www.planet-f1.com/news/story_17561.shtml
“Juan Pablo Montoya said should the opportunity arise, he would be very proud to represent his country in the new A1 racing series.
And so far the Columbian is the first F1 driver to show interest in the new series.
“If there is a possibility, I would be very proud to represent my country,” he told GMM.
thank you for bringing us this racing series and i am certain it will surpass the current f1 racing as far as excitement is concerned.
I just got news that Team Pakistan will be lead by [B]Nur B. Ali[/B], the first professional Pakistani driver who races in the Formula Mazda Circuit in the USA and has been the Formula Mazda SouthWest Region Champion.
Lets see how he performs in the A1 Circuit. Wish him the best of luck.
A1 GP Team Pakistan to be launched today i.e. 27th of February in Lahore, Pakistan. Chief Guest will be President Musharraf.
Thanks for bringing Formula 1 racing to the streets of Lahore. Also thanks a bunch for visiting our bank and giving us the honour to meet you and have pictures with you. Hope to drive Formula 1 car some day :) Mahrukh
Well I cant control the excited adrenalin in me after watching and actually hearing the car :: is there any opportunity for the civilains of Lahore to qualify and Race in the A1 … anybody even having some ideas plz help me out :: I want to race it to the championship :: I Live in Lahore, Pakistan
That specification is precisely right. F1’s quest for more power has led to astronomical costs and the result is some teams just end up with much worse cars due to their lesser budget. With engines that do not need to be as expendable and still with the high-power output A1 cars should be faster than Le Man Pk1 cars and provide more entertainment and value than F1. PLus A1 does not have one sovereign driver like Schumacher, it is going to do well.
After seeing and hearing The A1 and the atmospher it was just a big buzz do zytek make a family car engine.Where are thay made, I need one. Dose anyone know the cost of the next race is there a package deal from Englad, and how much will it cost. to nobble that brazian team hee
Does anyone have any idea as to the cost of an A1 car?
After the loss of Senna and a country pride battle between manufactures grew, higher prices made it a unfair event for other smaller teams.
A1 is the best thing before F1 went out of control, please don’t let it happen to A1, wish them the best of luck as i’ll be watching with renewed intrest.
…..=o&o>…..