End of Season, End of Unique Era
May 01, 2008
A1GP
At the A1GP season finale at the Brands Hatch circuit A1 Team Netherlands is getting ready for a final push in order to climb in the Championship. At the same time the end of the season marks the end of an unique era, after three years it is goodbye to the current A1GP car.
At the circuit just outside London A1 Team Netherlands finished just outside the podium last year and finished the season in fifth in the standings.
A1 Team Netherlands will use the spare chassis on the 2.67 mile track, after some damage to the monocoque, a result of the Durban crash, was discovered at the last race. This caused the car to lose stiffness . Together with an engine problem it hampered the car’s pace. After replacing both the chassis and the engine A1 Team Netherlands is confident that this problem has been resolved and that Jeroen Bleekemolen will again be able to fight amongst the top runners.
Leading up to this weekend Jeroen Bleekemolen, Arie Luyendyk jr and Jan Lammers were able to climb the podium in various racing series. Jeroen maintained the lead in the Porsche Supercup with a second place finish in Barcelona, Arie finished in third at the Kansas Speedway in the Indy Lights and Jan took a third place in LMP2 at the Le Mans Series at Monza.
Jan Lammers; “Brands Hatch not only is the end of the season, but also marks the end of an unique era. The transition from the original, somewhat eccentric looking A1GP car to the new cars under the banner of ‘A1GP Powered by Ferrari will be a sensational happening for all of us. A1GP, lead by Tony Teixeira and Pete da Silva is clearly not lacking in courage and entrepreneurship. Setting up a Series like this without the support of car manufacturers or multinationals is an unprecedented achievement. Now that the cooperation with Ferrari is a fact it won’t take long before the Series sponsors will join this series that is still gaining popularity. We also notice the growing interest in the Netherlands, the recognition and especially the acknowledgement do make our working climate better and better. We hope to give our Dutch fans a nice treat with a good result this weekend!”
Jeroen Bleekemolen; “I am happy that we were allowed to change our car after Shanghai. It clearly was a major problem. I am looking forward to the Brands Hatch race. It always is an awesome event, on a nice track with many A1GP fans. Also it’s a chance for us to end the season on a high. The team has had to work very hard to get everything ready and that is why we are all extra motivated to show that all that work has not been in vain. We had hoped to be higher up in the Championship, but that does not mean that we will give it all to claim a good result. It will be the final race for these cars, because the Ferrari’s are coming. Something everyone is looking forward to. Often in a final race everyone is pushing a bit more, so I expect a lot of spectacle.”
Arie Luyendyk jr: “The season finale at Brands Hatch should be a great event. This season with A1GP has been a great experience and closing out the year at a great track like Brands Hatch is a great treat. I’ve never driven here but it looks fast and definitely like the circuits I enjoy driving. Since we are arriving with a different chassis I hope the troubles of Shanghai have been resolved, the rookie session should be vital in seeing if the balance has improved. Many drivers have driven here before so it will be important to learn the circuit quickly, I look forward to Friday morning.”
Last Sunday the kick off for the final A1GP races, where Switzerland is in the best position to take the World Cup, was given in the centre of London. On Regent Street thousands of spectators gathered to see the complete A1GP grid, with the 22 cars that will be competing this weekend. Apart from firing up the 520 bhp Zytek V8 there were many other activities, such as interviews with the drivers present. “It was a great way to give the people of London a little taste of what they can expect at Brands Hatch next weekend,” said A1GP Chairman Tony Teixeira. “From the outset one of our aims has been to make motorsport accessible to all ages and it was great to see so many families and young people here today getting up close to the cars and drivers.”
A1GP will be unveiling a new off-track concept next weekend - the A1GP Global Village - geared towards delivering extra entertainment for A1GP fans and spectators during a race weekend, all included in the admission ticket price. The initiative is being launched at Brands Hatch and it will host a range of interactive activities, including changing a tyre on a real A1GP car with the fastest time winning the chance to walk the grid just before the start of the Feature race. It will also include displays of race cars, an official A1 Team merchandise shop and a unique atmosphere to eat and drink.
