A1TeamRacer.com: The GP Racer's Resource Online

A1TeamRacer.com and IndyProRacer.com Cease Publication

2008-09-12T00:00:00-07:00

Economic Woes Turn Out the ‘Lights’ at Auto Racing Sites

From IndyProRacer.com and A1TeamRacer.com press release:

Allan Brewer, publisher of IndyProRacer.com and A1TeamRacer.com professional auto racing websites, announced that publication had ceased for both entities with the close of the Firestone Indy Lights season at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday (September 7th).

Brewer cited conflicting personal obligations and the rising costs of fuel and travel to cover the series in person as major factors in the decision to close the websites. The economic downturn of 2008 also created fiscal stress that neither site could overcome.

“It’s been a great privilege to work with officials of the Indy Racing League and A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, the drivers, the teams, the owners, the public relations agents, and the directors and executives of the IRL and A1GP, and their partner organizations and race tracks over the past two seasons,” said Brewer. “I can’t imagine a harder-working, more dedicated group of professionals anywhere than the people who make the Firestone Indy Lights Series and the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport go.”

The IndyProRacer.com and A1TeamRacer.com websites achieved growing readership throughout their existence, even winning acclaim by the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Assocation with an ‘Honorary Mention’ among professional racing websites in 2007 and citations for excellence in reporting on the Indy Lights Series.

Despite the public and critical acclaim, IndyProRacer.com and A1TeamRacer.com never achieved financial success sufficient to match or exceed their expenses in the tough news and sports information marketplace of the twenty-first century.

“Readership without revenue is not a model for success,” said Brewer.

A1GP Returns to Brands Hatch to End New Season

2008-09-08T14:32:46-07:00

Mugello, Italy Officially Dropped from 2008/09 Calendar

From A1GP Media Reports:

A1GP World Cup of Motorsport is heading back to Brands Hatch, for the fourth year in succession and will hold the 2008/09 season finale there on May 1-3, 2009. The Kent circuit has played host to three superb A1GP events so far, with the inaugural race in September 2005 and the Season Two and Three finales.

A1GP Chief Executive Officer, Pete da Silva, said: “We are pleased to announce A1GP is returning to Brands Hatch for a fourth consecutive season. We have worked hard to put together an interesting calendar of challenging circuits for the new A1GP Powered by Ferrari cars, and Brands Hatch will provide an exciting final venue.”

Following the delay to the start of the season it has not been possible to find an alternative date to accommodate A1GP Mugello, Italy in this year’s calendar, therefore this event will now be taken out of the Season Four schedule.

Team testing begins at Donington Park this week with two days scheduled on the September 9th and 11th.

The second team test in the UK has now also been confirmed for Snetterton in Norfolk on September 23-24, 2008, and there will also be a one day test at this track on October 1st. The season opener will be A1GP Zandvoort, Netherlands, October 4-5, 2008.

A1 Team Monaco Gambles on Big Payoff with A1GP Move

2008-08-29T09:43:13-07:00

Tiny Principality Will Field Team in 2008/09 Season

From A1GP Media Reports:

The Principality of Monaco is famous worldwide for its racing heritage, so A1GP World Cup of Motorsport is delighted to announce A1 Team Monaco will be competing in the series in Season Four. Not only will the red and white colours of the Monaco flag adorn the car, but the venture also has the personal blessing of His Serene Highness, Prince Albert II of Monaco.

The team will be headed by joint seat holders, Clivio Piccione and Hubertus Bahlsen. A former F3 and GP2 race winner, Piccione will also be only the second person in the series’ history to take on the dual role of being the race driver as well as seat holder. The 24-year-old Monegasque has enjoyed the patronage of Prince Albert II throughout his career, and also has the support for this venture from the Monaco Government and the President of the “Conseil National”.

Piccione says: “I am very proud to have been able to put this project together and I believe this new enterprise will bring a lot of excitement and glory to our country. It is a unique situation to be able to take on these two roles. I believe it is a great asset for me not just to be the driver, but to also have a real involvement within the team structure. I am really looking forward to racing for my country in the new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car.”

Monaco resident Bahlsen, from Switzerland, races his own personal collection of historic Formula 1 cars, winning his group in the 2005 FIA Historic Formula One series. “Linking A1GP’s unique race format - being the World Cup of Motorsport - with Monaco’s heritage in motor racing is a thrilling opportunity. I am looking forward to making this partnership successful, both with Clivio and Monegasque supporters as well as with A1GP,” says Bahlsen.

The team will be run on a day-to-day basis by its Team Principal, Graham Taylor. The Briton, from Gloucester, has worked in the sport for 21-years, and has engineering and management experience from Formula 1 to Touring Cars.

A1GP Chairman, Tony Teixeira, is particularly delighted to welcome this new team: “No doubt Monaco represents the smallest population of any of our national teams, but in terms of a worldwide reach there are fewer places that are better known. Our aim in A1GP was to be a truly global series and each year we welcome new teams that help us in this. We are very proud that a principality with such strong ties with the sport has chosen to become part of A1GP.”

A1GP Compares Its New Car to Old at Silverstone

2008-08-25T06:13:44-07:00

'Powered-by-Ferrari' Tests Resume in the UK

From A1GP Media Reports:

A1GP Ferrari V-8 powerplant.
Photo: NewsPress

The new A1GP Powered by Ferrari cars were in testing action again over three days last week - on UK soil for the first time at Silverstone International Circuit in Northamptonshire.

The new black A1GP liveried machine made its debut running alongside the yellow test car as the first real comparisons could be seen on a circuit where the previous A1GP cars had clocked up extensive testing miles.

On Monday and Tuesday Danny Watts was at the wheel of the car, so becoming the first driver to have tested both the old and new A1GP cars.

“It has noticeably more power,” Watts said after the comparison test was over. “The new aero package helps driving through the high speed sections of the track even quicker. The carbon brakes work extremely well meaning you can brake a lot later than you ever could before."

"It’s much more like a thoroughbred racing car. Overall the performance is a step up in every department. I thoroughly enjoyed driving the car.”

FIA GT Champion, Thomas Biagi, also drove all three days; while Jonny Kane was in the car on Wednesday.

'PowerBoost' Brings 600 BPH to Life

The programme for Silverstone also included testing the new PowerBoost system.

The new 8-cylinder Ferrari engine has a power output around 600bhp when drivers hit the PowerBoost button, giving approximately an extra 60 horsepower overall compared to last season.

A1GP car tests at Silverstone. Photo: NewsPress

An impressed Watts said: “The extra 60bhp you get with the push-to-pass will open up more overtaking opportunities at every circuit A1GP visits this season which should make racing even more exciting.”

A1GP General Manager, Technical and Operations, John Wickham added, “The test was very encouraging and both test drivers gave very useful feedback."

"The brakes have much, much better performance, the engine is stronger, and it is more powerful and has more torque."

"We have obviously moved forward with this car," he concluded. "With this we have now covered 6100-kilometers (approximately 3700 miles) testing with the first test car and 581-kilometers (350 miles) with the second.”

The test also allowed the opportunity for A1GP’s photographer to get the first shots of the new Ferrari engine out of the car.

The design team has also released the car’s dimensions as below, showing the new car to be slightly shorter in length but wider overall with a slightly higher ride height.

A1GP Powered by Ferrari Car Dimensions

Overall length: 4814mm

Wheelbase: 3100mm

Front track : 2014mm (including tire)

Rear track: 2028mm (including tire)

Ride height: 27mm

A1GP Delays 2008/09 Debut for New 'Powered by Ferrari' Chassis

2008-08-21T13:24:50-07:00

Mugello Round PostPoned as Season Start Pushed Back to October

From A1GP Media Reports:

A1GP World Cup of Motorsport has moved A1GP Mugello, Italy from the opening round of the 2008/09 championship following a delay in the build schedule of the new chassis. The first time all the nations will be seen in action will now be on the 4 – 5 October at A1GP Zandvoort, Netherlands.

The series set itself a tight schedule with less than 11 months to design, build and test the new car and make sure all the teams received identical machinery. Any delays in the schedule were always going to impact on the ability to deliver to all the teams. “It was always going to be an optimistic programme but we were confident we could achieve it. This in no way reflects on the work undertaken by the technical team and our partners, as it was due to circumstances beyond their control. I also want to thank all our technical partners for their support during our intensive testing programme, and especially Ferrari for the supply of engines,” said A1GP Chief Executive Officer, Pete da Silva.

“We now have to concentrate on what we have ahead of us rather than behind. We still have some great announcements to make. In the near future we shall be able to announce our full race calendar, as well as some deals that will enhance the overall package we are presenting to our fans for Season Four,” said da Silva.

A1GP Issues 2008/09 Season Rule Changes

2008-08-11T06:37:34-07:00

Mandatory Sprint Race PitStop Among Changes

From A1GP Media Reports:

The pressure will be even greater for the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport national teams when they go to Mugello, Italy for the start of season four in September.

An extra mandatory pit stop is among the changes to the series’ Sporting Regulations planned to make the racing even more exciting with the extra stop having to be taken in the A1GP Sprint Race between laps four and eight.

“We never stop looking for ways of improving the action on the track," said Tony Teixeira, A1GP Chairman. "The two pit stops in the Feature Race have proved to be the really high pressure points of the events. We felt an additional one would not only add another variable into the Sprint Race mix, but also give the crews another opportunity to display their team work. When we sat down to discuss ways of improving the series from every viewpoint this was a popular addition. However, we have also made other changes that will give the teams greater flexibility in certain areas."

Qualifying Format, Points Allocation Altered

The unique qualifying format has also proved very popular with the spectators and to increase the drama and tension each of the four sessions have now been reduced from 15 to ten minutes with the same five minute break between each. Here the added pressure is on the drivers, as the Sprint Race grid is determined from each driver’s best time taken from sessions one and two and the Feature Race grid from sessions three and four.

Nations can and do use the Friday to try out young or less experienced drivers in the two Rookie and Developing Nation Sessions. This popular addition will continue, but now there will be no age limit and the gap between the two 30 minute sessions has increased from five to 20 minutes.

The duration of the Sprint Race, with its rolling start, has also been increased from 19 to 24 minutes plus one lap, while the Feature Race, from a standing start, remains at 69 minutes plus one lap. However, now the points’ allocation for the shorter race has also been reduced with them only going to the top eight on the scale of 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. The Feature Race remains the same with the top ten receiving points on the scale of 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

The full 2008/2009 A1GP Sporting Regulations can be viewed on www.a1gp.com/press.

A1GP Silverstone Test Now a Private Affair

The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport test at Silverstone on the 19th and 20th August will no longer be a press event with teams attending, but a closed one with just the series test cars on the track. However, now the teams will be running at the two day test at Donington Park on the 9th and 11th September. This is open to all media and accreditation applications should be made via the web site – www.a1gp.com/press. This decision will ensure the teams will have exactly the same data and so be able to compare their track progress in relation to the other teams.

New World Cup of Motorsport Chassis Enters Final Turn Toward 2008/09 Season

2008-08-04T06:13:42-07:00

A1GP Powered by Ferrari Car Completes Wind Tunnel Testing

From A1GP Media Reports:

A1GP Powered by Ferrari Car.
Photo: A1GP

Wind tunnel testing has been a key element in the development of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport Powered by Ferrari car for season four. The car that had its first public running at the Mugello circuit was the product of many hours spent by the A1GP technical team in wind tunnels at the University of Southampton’s School of Engineering Sciences.

“To ensure we continue the A1GP tradition of strong racing, coupled with lots of overtaking, the effort of the design team has been to provide a chassis that has a good level of down force, but without the normal penalties," said A1GP Technical Director John Travis.

"This will make for much closer racing particularly in the corners as cars will be able to run together. We have spent in excess of 300 hours in the wind tunnel and have tried hundreds of different aerodynamic variations to ensure the close, exciting racing the series is famous for not only continues but gets better.”

Southampton Campus Hosts a Special 4-Wheeled Guest

The University of Southampton’s School of Engineering Sciences has a variety of wind tunnels which have been used extensively by Formula One, Indy Racing League and CART racing teams over the years.

A 40 per cent scale model of the A1GP Powered by Ferrari car was tested at the facility and performed just as expected giving the development team a good set of aerodynamic data to work with as they continue the on track testing programme in Europe.

The testing has been continuing in France with Andrea Bertolini in the car for three days at Paul Ricard near Marseille with 400-kilometers (approximately 240 miles) covered on one day alone. Testing then moved to Magny-Cours, with Patrick Friesacher at the wheel last week increasing the total distance covered by the new A1GP car to 5,667 kilometres (approximately 3700 miles).

The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport 2008-09 season will officially get underway later this year with A1GP Mugello, Italy, September 19th-21st, 2008.

Tifosi Await New Italian Venue for World Cup of Motorsports

2008-07-22T07:46:11-07:00

Ferrari Road-Car Engine LineUp Based on A1GP PowerPlant

From A1GP Media Reports:

A1 Team Italy Powered by Ferrari A1GP car. Photo: A1GP

A1GP World Cup of Motorsport will race in Italy for the first time this season with the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello today holding a launch event including the first public running of the new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car ahead of the 2008/09 season opener later this year.

A1GP Mugello, Italy will be held on September 19th and 20th, 2008 and the focus for the patriotic local fans is sure to be A1 Team Italy, which today also unveiled its new car for the first time at its home track.

Piercarlo Ghinzani, A1 Team Italy Seatholder is looking forward to playing to the home crowd. “At present we are preparing the Italian driver team. Our goal is to run a team of four drivers: two rookies and two official drivers. The goal for this season is to guide A1 Team Italy to victory. If the Italian driver market will supply us with good drivers I will certainly provide them with what is needed in order to win.”

Ferrari A1GP Car Debuts on Monday

Monday (June 21st) marked the first public running of the A1GP Powered by Ferrari car. The extensive testing program the car has undergone since May has produced a car to be proud of, and the distinctive notes of the Ferrari engine that will be propelling all the cars on the A1GP grids round the world could today be heard powering around the Ferrari owned circuit.

Mario Almondo said, “It is a pleasure to cooperate with A1GP World Cup of Motorsport. The project and the development of the chassis-engine package has been done in a record-time frame. The 8-cylinder engine, which will be the basis of the new family of Ferrari road car engines, has shown excellent performance and driveability. It is also important that the first race weekend of the 2008-2009 season will take place at the Mugello circuit, a top-class venue in motorsport in terms of safety and facilities, as shown during the last Italian Grand Prix of MotoGP.”

A1GP Powered by Ferrari engine in-car photo.
Photo: A1GP

Ferrari Corse Clienti are also taking part in the A1GP Mugello racing weekend, with a host of activity to provide exciting on-track action and entertainment for the Italian fans. Spectators can expect to see the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli, Ferrari FXX Programme and Clienti in Pista, with the event being open to the public for free on Friday.

Italian Andrea Bertolini has been one of the drivers tasked with putting the new car through its paces during the development stages and has completed nearly 3000-kilometres (2400 miles) of testing so far. Although doing a job for all the teams he will be taking a particular interest in the progress of his home nation, A1 Team Italy, this coming season. Bertolini said, “I am happy to contribute to the development of this car. I have done a few days of testing and I have to say I am quite happy with the results. The car is growing up very quickly and is nice to drive it. The engine also has good driveability and the level of performance is very high. This package will help make the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport ever more interesting.”

New A1GP Logo Combines Best of Both Worlds

For season four there is also a new brand logo at A1GP, revealed with the first public showing at Mugello Circuit. The design of the new A1GP World Cup of Motorsport logo represents the values and distinctiveness of the existing logo, now incorporating the iconic Ferrari brand as the series moves into a new era. The solution is a dynamic combination of the two identities, capturing both the excitement and momentum of A1GP and the heritage and reputation of Ferrari.

The simple, powerful new logo is a clear and uncompromising combination of the two brands. The new logo is memorable and easy to apply across a growing range of media as the series evolves and grows.

Tony Teixeira, A1GP Chairman said, “Partnering with a world-class organization like Ferrari officially cements A1GP’s position on the International motorsport calendar. Ferrari adds significant value to our brand and in our opinion there is no better partner to progress the series. This is the first time Ferrari has partnered with another series and we are extremely proud for them to be working with A1GP as the series moves forward into its fourth season.”

Tickets for A1GP Mugello, September 19th-21st, are on sale now at www.ticketone.it.

Michelin Becomes Exclusive Tire Partner to A1GP

2008-07-21T06:24:26-07:00

Bibendum Allies with World Cup of Motorsport from 2008/09 Season

From A1GP Media Reports:

Michelin is to become the exclusive tire partner to A1GP World Cup of Motorsport starting with the 2008/09 season. The French company which has a vast motorsport heritage has signed a three year deal to provide tires for the new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car.

Michelin technicians have been working hard with the A1GP technical personnel to provide the best possible rubber for the series. Since the Powered by Ferrari car had its first run in Fiorano in late May it has been using the company's tires and has clocked up over 4,000 kilometres (2,400 miles) on tracks in Italy and Spain.

Feedback from testing, during which A1GP has been able to tap into the vast experience of Andrea Bertolini, Patrick Friesacher and Marc Gene, has been very positive. All drivers commented on the tires' consistency and that they were able to feel the difference between the various sets.

Michelin's involvement in motor racing has always been the result of a careful mixture of passion and reason for numerous decades. A commitment always combined with full responsibility for the design, manufacture and use of products during a competition, as well as the spirit of co-operation with their partners. The tires' technological development therefore results from close co-operation between A1GP and Michelin engineers.

Tire Design Borrows from Formula One Technology

The tire design stems from Formula One technologies seeking to offer both optimal performance and safety to the driver. Full rubber serration tests were performed on various tracks including Fiorano, Imola, Jerez and Mugello resulting in the best possible compromise between grip, endurance and wear.

Michelin will be present in the paddock to guarantee high-quality service throughout the season. The use of this high-technology product by all A1GP teams shall be supervised under the watchful and expert eye of a skilled Michelin technician.

A1GP General Manager, Technical and Operations, John Wickham said, "We are very pleased to be working with Michelin for the next three seasons. Michelin has a vast amount of experience in motorsport and will enhance the competitive nature of our series. We commenced the test program at the beginning of June and have now specified the most suitable tire compound and construction for our new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car. "

Also giving specific information on the tires used, Wickham continued, "We have run 29 sets of slick tires and three sets of wets so far. There are small differences between the spec of the slicks, about 50% are 'control' spec so 15 or so 'test' sets."

"Michelin's experience enabled it to rise to the occasion," says Henry-Biabaud

Michelin Group Motorsport Director, Frédéric Henry-Biabaud added, "Michelin is extremely honored to be associated with the fast-growing A1GP series and is looking forward to playing a part in the championship's expansion.

"The championship organizer has decided to produce a new Powered by Ferrari single-seater and Michelin was active in this car's development from the outset. This close collaboration underpins Michelin's image as a truly dependable technical partner.

"This association with such prestigious partners represents a genuine challenge and it is Michelin's experience of advanced technology single-seater racing tires that has enabled it to rise so successfully to the occasion."

New A1GP Car Testing Continues at Guadix, Jerez

2008-07-12T08:48:46-07:00

Powered-by-Ferrari Prototype Rolls Past 2K Miles on the Odometer

From A1GP Media Reports:

A total of 3,500 kilometres (2100 miles), the equivalent of over half a season's mileage, is the distance covered to date by the new A1GP World Cup of Motorsport Powered by Ferrari car. The latest series of tests for the car were in Spain with five days at the Guadix Circuit near Granada followed by three days at Jerez.

Scuderia Ferrari test driver, Marc Gene, has now had his first taste of the car and his first impressions were: "It's an interesting car and I had a lot of fun. It's not an F1 car but it's not intended to be one; it will produce exciting racing, allows overtaking, and is an extreme drive." However, the majority of the testing has been undertaken by Andrea Bertolini, while Patrick Friesacher has also been behind the wheel. Feedback has been good with them finding the car well balanced, the tyres have been working well and the gearshift and electronics have been reliable; all in all they have found it an extremely driveable car.

A1GP General Manager, Technical and Operations, John Wickham said, "The car has now completed about 3,500 km testing, equivalent to about half a season's mileage, and is looking reliable. We have spent the majority of time working on the engine and control systems but there's also been work on the tires and chassis so there has been no down time. There have been a number of small issues, which is to be expected from a completely new package, but there is nothing we can't resolve in the coming tests so we are happy with how things are progressing."

With the development program moving forward positively, the car will be back out at Jerez in a couple of weeks before testing moves to France later this month. The teams are expected to get their first test in Silverstone in August and then a few weeks later at another UK location.