05/07/2006
NEWS STORY
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A1 GP organizers have revealed that New Zealand will host a round of the second series of the championship dubbed the 'World Cup of Motorsport'.
New Zealand, which gave us 1967 Formula One World Champion, Denny Hulme, in addition to McLaren founder, Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon, was one of the first countries to sign up to the A1 dream, finishing fourth in the inaugural series courtesy of some sterling drives by Jonny Reid and Matt Halliday.
"If you think about it, there hasn't been a major (single-seater) race out there since the Tasman Series," A1 GP Chief Operating Officer David Clare told Pitpass, "and that's forty years ago.
"They really love open-wheel single-seater racing," he continued. "The V8s do well quite there, but their culture is open-wheel racing."
Although still subject to final agreement, the race is due to be held at Taupo, a scene of devastating natural beauty in the centre of the North Island.
"It's an old track which has recently undergone a total redevelopment, and has already got a Grade 2 licence," says Clare. "The pit complex will be completed within the next three months... it's effectively a brand new facility.
"It's equidistant between Auckland and Wellington, and it's also a major tourist area, it's beautiful," added Clare. "It's a great opportunity… to bring the series to this sort of market is great, we've had tremendous support in New Zealand. The Kiwis are very passionate about their sport, and the link up with Australia (two weeks later), gets 2007 off to a great start."