Q: What is the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport?
A: Launched in March 2004, the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport is more than just another racing phenomenon; it’s an entirely new concept. Pitting driver against driver and country against country for the first time in history, A1GP brings together 22 nations to compete as equals without financial or technological advantage.
Q: Which countries compete in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport?
A: The 2007-08 A1GP season will again see 22 nations battling it out to become World Champions. Competing nations include; Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Lebanon, Pakiston, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Switzerland, USA.
Q: Where and when do A1GP races take place?
A: Now entering its third season, 2007-08, the A1GP schedule takes in a mix of established world- famous venues plus exciting new state-of-the-art facilities and tight, twisty street circuits, A1GP promises to deliver high-speed adrenalin fuelled action at every turn. Racing from September 2007 through to May 2008, A1GP chases the winter sun competing in the following countries: The Netherlands, The Czech Republic, Malaysia, China, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Mexico and Great Britain. Full schedule listed at the end of the document.
Q: What kind of cars does A1GP use?
A: The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport is an open-wheel racing championship. As a ‘one-make’ series each competing nation uses an identical A1GP car, built by Lola Cars International in the UK and powered by a 550bhp, 3.4-litre V8 engine built by Zytek Engineering, also based in the UK. All A1GP cars run on tires supplied by Cooper Tires.
Q: Do the competing nations own their A1GP cars?
A: No! A1GP owns all the cars and is responsible for transporting them to each round of the series. The cars, when not in transit around the world during the season, are housed at A1GP’s raceshop at England’s Silverstone Circuit.
Q: Is there much testing in A1GP?
A: In order to keep the level playing field as equal as possible, teams are restricted to four days of official pre-season testing ahead of the opening round with no further testing allowed during the course of the season. Some rookie testing is permitted in the off-season but this is strictly monitored.
Q: Does A1GP have a ‘Green’ policy?
A: Yes! A1GP unveiled in August 2007 an ambitious serious of initiatives to help reduce its environmental footprint. These measures include switching to biofuel (30% ethanol mix), waste reduction measures, carbon-offsetting unavoidable emissions and promoting environmental awareness to a global audience spanning 150 countries.
Q: Are there any familiar motorsport names associated with A1GP?
A: Despite its relatively short history in comparison to the likes of Formula One and the Champ Car World Series, A1GP has continued to attract household names as drivers wish to represent their country on the global stage or be involved in the running of their nations entry. Management – Two time Formula One World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi (1972/1974) serves as Team Principal for A1 Team Brazil, a role similarly fulfilled for A1 Team Australia by another former Formula One World Champion, Alan Jones (1980). For the first two seasons of A1GP, A1 Team Great Britain had as its Team Principal 1964 Ferrari Formula One World Champion John Surtees. Willi Webber, famed for being Michael Schumacher’s driver manager throughout his domination of Formula One, is the Seat Holder for A1 Team Germany – winners of the 2006-07 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport (Schumacher presented the prize at the banquet in London in April 2007).
Drivers – A host of familiar names have represented their countries through the first two seasons of A1GP, many of them boasting experience in the likes of Formula One, the Champ Car World Series and the Indy Racing League. In no specific order they include; Jos Verstappen (Netherlands), Buddy Rice (USA), Scott Speed (USA), Bryan Herta (USA), Patrick Carpentier (Canada), Max Papis (Italy), Ralph Firman (Ireland), Tomas Enge (Czech Republic), Alex Yoong (Malaysia), Nelson Piquet Jr (Brazil), Vitor Meira (Brazil), Bruno Junqueira (Brazil).
Q: Are there plans to hold an A1GP race meeting in Canada in future seasons?
A: Yes! Both the management of A1GP and A1 Team Canada are keen to see a round of A1GP hosted in Canada, subject to time of year and a suitable venue being established.
Q: Can we watch A1GP races on television in Canada?
A: Yes! The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport is broadcast by Setanta Sports – available through Rogers, Bell ExpressVu and Shaw. In addition, the 2007-08 A1GP season is expected to be broadcast throughout North America on SPEED, as per last season.
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