A1 Team Ireland- Eastern Creek Preview

A1 Team Ireland- Eastern Creek Preview

Dublin
Jan 30, 2007

After a well deserved break taking in the sights in
New Zealand, A1 Team Ireland have made the comparatively short trip to
Australia to prepare for this weekends seventh round of the A1GP World Cup
of Motorsport, at Sydney’s Eastern Creek International Raceway. Despite a
double retirement in New Zealand the Irish squad were on the pace all
weekend, setting the 3rd fastest time in practice, and will be looking to
translate that speed into results this time out.
The 3.93km anticlockwise circuit in the suburbs of Sydney contains a
challenging mix of high and low speed corners. Richard Lyons has
experienced the track before, testing an Australian V8 Supercar last year, and
has the advantage of still being classed an A1GP rookie. He’ll have a chance
to reacquaint himself with the track on Friday morning, and will be supported
by Reserve Driver John O’Hara. John has continued to win the admiration of
the team with his professional and focussed approach over the race
weekends and he’ll be returning to the cockpit once Richard’s rookie status
expires.
Richard Lyons: “It’s been a busy couple of weeks for me with the race in
Taupo, followed by Super GT testing in Malaysia and now on to here. It’s
clear that the team is working very well and we unlocked a lot of pace from
the car last time out. We just need to keep that momentum going now and,
reliability permitting, we’ll be in the hunt for points in both the sprint and
feature races. It is also good to be going to a track that I have some
experience of driving.”
Gary Anderson, Technical Director: “I enjoyed my first A1GP race, despite
the frustration of not getting a result. This weekend we’re all a bit more used
to working together, we’ve got some good momentum from the last race so I
see no reason why we can’t challenge the front runners.”
Team Principal Mark Gallagher will return to the paddock, after missing the
New Zealand race to concentrate on securing support from corporate Ireland
for the 2007/08 season. It will be Mark’s first race alongside new engineering
boss Gary Anderson since the 2003 Monaco Grand Prix, when both were on
the management board of Jordan Grand Prix.
“Having broken into the top ten in qualifying for the first time in New Zealand,
repeating that must be our first target,” said Mark. “Our pit stop was also
excellent and the team really performed well. Gary’s a great motivator and as
long as the car is reliable I feel we can start collecting valuable points from
each outing. Richard Lyons’ experience has helped move the team forward,
and credit must be given to John O’Hara who understood the need for the
team to run Richard in all the sessions whilst we improve our competitiveness.
We’re looking forward to seeing John back in the car soon.”