05/07/2006
NEWS STORY
 |
With the first race of the second season already a sell-out, in the nicest possible sense, A1 GP has announced its provisional schedule for 2006/2007.
There are some out there who believed, indeed hoped, A1 GP wouldn't make it onto the grid in the first place, and despite the packed grandstands at Brands Hatch, took every subsequent opportunity to declare the concept as doomed.
However, despite a few hiccoughs, A1 is not only looking ahead to year two, but year three and beyond.
Providing the right venues can be found in America and Mexico, and a few more Is get dotted and Ts crossed, the second season will consist of 13 races, including two in China, and one in New Zealand.
Having kicked off the first season, Brands Hatch will bring the second season to a close - and hopefully the championship will go all the way down to the wire. However, whereas the first season ended in early April, the second season almost stretches into May. How come?
"Talking to (Brands Hatch boss) Jonathan Palmer, we came to the decision that it would be good to put Brands Hatch at the end, because it had been such a good race at the start of the first season," A1 Chief Operating Officer David Clare told Pitpass. "Looking at the various calendars, we decided that it would be good to make it the first major motorsport event of the year in the UK.
"It meant we had to shift Shanghai back a couple of weeks, though we realise it could potentially be cold at that time of the year - we were lucky with the weather this year."
Everyone is trying to get into China these days, hoping to tap into the new prosperity of the 'tiger economy', A1 will host not one, but two races, in this rapidly developing country.
"China is a significant market," says Clare, "and the rivalry between Shanghai and Beijing is intense. They are 1,400 kms apart, so they're in a completely different market, with a different profile. The opportunity to hold races in the two most important cities in China was too good.
"Because we have a national team in China's colours we got support from the Federation and Ministry of Sport," he adds, "they're very keen to support A1.
The Beijing venue has yet to be announced, though Clare says this should be confirmed in "two or three weeks".
"We expect to firm up the whole calendar in the next six weeks," he says. "What we want to do is ensure that everything is 'cast in stone'.
"We're trying to build a calendar that will have a natural flow, not just from the perspective of logistics, but also weather and all the other factors that have to be taken into consideration. With a winter series, there are far more influences, such as lunar calendars and religious festivals. We have to think about Ramadan, Christmas and Easter, they are all major factors."
It's noticeable that France is not on the calendar, despite the fact that the French team won the inaugural series.
"We do have a potential venue, which we will be investigating for inclusion in the following year (season 2007/2008)," he reveals. "One of the problems we come up against is that a lot of the calendars are fixed. We got through the first year, but in putting together the schedule for year two we're trying to put together dates for the third season. Therefore, we can probably confirm our 2007/2008 calendar within the next three months. This will give us stability, and gives us the TV slots that we need.
"So yes, we are looking at France," he confirms, "just as we are looking at South America, where there is enormous interest. We've four or five potential venues in three countries."
Unlike Formula One, A1 GP is clearly not 'Euro-centric'. Though factors such as climate and indeed the desire to avoid clashing with other major motorsport series is important, is the fact that A1 is not focussed on Europe deliberate?
"What we've been trying to achieve is looking at developing markets that up to now haven't had motorsport's attention," says Clare (right). "We'd love to run in India and Pakistan, if we could do, we'd love to be the people that break into those markets, that develop them.
"It is very much a partnership with promoters" he continues, "and though we have known many of them for some time, it still takes two or three years for them to understand the product and how to sell it. We are an umbrella international series, but in each market we have a NASCAR-like appeal, not necessarily interested in racing but in supporting the national team.
"When we went to Indonesia, Ananda Mikola was a national hero, the interest was huge. There isn't any culture of racing in Indonesia, and because it was an Indonesian event, with an Indonesian driver, it was massive."
Portugal and Germany have been dropped in year two, but Clare hasn't given up on the country that gave us Mercedes, BMW and the Schumachers. "Germany, like France, is a target," he admits, "but it's really about finding the right venue".
Referring to the poor attendance at Estoril and the Lausitzring, Clare says: "To promote an event is quite a big programme, and it requires several months work, I think in both these instances it happened a bit later than it should have, which made things very difficult."
Marketing, or rather the lack of it, appeared to be one of the main issues last season.
"For those races on the schedule, and those that haven't been confirmed, plans are already in place," says Clare. "I'm spending a lot of my time on the road, travelling to every venue. We're already setting up everything, in order that there's a six-month lead-in to every event. The following year, with the stability of the calendar, we'll be able to start marketing the event almost immediately after this year's race.
"It's part of the growing process," he adds.
For the second season, A1 is changing the format; the sprint race is shortened, the feature race lengthened, and there will be a four-hour gap between the two races. Furthermore, it is being suggested that the Friday first practice session be used for the introduction of rookies, giving them an opportunity to find their feet, without the added pressure of competing with 'old hands' such as Jos Verstappen (left).
"This was something that the teams requested," Clare reveals. "If it gets approval, it will be obligatory that teams run young (rookie) drivers. It will be a great introduction to the sport for these guys.
"Under the new format the Sprint race will have more of an impact because people will be prepared to try harder, also they need to do well in order to qualify well for the Feature race. It will no longer be a case of simply getting in front and winning, if somebody puts in a fast lap they can get more points as well.
"Obviously, the feature race is the main event, hence that's when we'll have the podium. However, it will still be important for teams to do well in both races.
"We didn't want to play around with qualifying," he admits, "we've just 'closed' it up a bit. It's now a bit more tight, it doesn't drag on for quite as long, and will keep the excitement flowing more than before.
For all too long New Zealanders have been pretty much left out of motorsport, especially single-seater racing, despite having given us Amon, Hulme and McLaren. A1 GP has finally put things right, if all goes to plan 2007 will kick off with the Black Beauty aiming to win on home soil at Taupo.
"If you think about it, there hasn't been a major (single-seater) race out there since the Tasman Series… and that's forty years ago," says Clare. This is a country that's rugby, cricket and then motor racing.
"They really love open-wheel single-seater racing. Even though the V8s do quite well there, their culture is open-wheel racing. It's a relatively small market, but I think it will be a huge event, the locals will fully support the race and their team.
"As for Taupo, it's an old track which has recently undergone a total redevelopment," Clare reveals, "and it's already got a Grade 2 licence. The new 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. 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."
Looking at the provisional calendar it's hard not to notice that, as yet, neither North nor South America has a confirmed race, yet both are important markets, and both have strong motorsport connections.
"It's always a difficult market, there's so much competition," admits Clare. "Laguna Seca was a great track, but it was at the wrong time of the year. Since we were there they've re-done the drainage - so that's a massive improvement.
So when will the American (and Mexican) venues be announced, we ask
"That could be six or seven weeks," says Clare. "We have some potential venues, and some of them are very exciting.
"The thing with the USA," he continues, "is that we need a venue which is uniquely A1. There is so much motorsport in the US that we need to focus on where we can put our stamp, how to have a national appeal, rather than just another race. In all honesty, the traditional venues don't give us the impact that we need, it is important that the American public come to an A1 event as an event rather than just another race."
Asked if we can expect to see some new teams, read nations, on board, Clare responds: "We've had a huge response from potential new franchises, I think something like eighteen countries. In some territories we've had four or five applicants, however, in the end we expect two or three new countries on board. We're hoping for 26 cars, but it could go as high as 28. However, I'm happy with 26, that would be very good.
David thanks Pitpass for its continued support of A1, but editor Chris Balfe is keen to assure him that the support is because Pitpass believes in the series, despite some well-documented 'teething problems' during the first season.
"I think by the end of the third season you'll have noticed a big, big difference," says Clare. "When A1 started there was a lot of enthusiasm, real commitment, and probably a lot of the people involved didn't realize quite what they were getting into. Now we're putting A1 on to a stable business footing.
The series is clearly evolving, but Clare reveals there will be no significant changes to the cars.
"We're not changing the cars at all this season, though by the end of this year we will be looking at season three."
"A1 has delivered what it says on the box," says Balfe, "it provides racing".
"The new format means that drivers will push even harder," says Clare. "Also although there is a differential between the drivers at the front and the back, that will close over the next couple of seasons.
"There are some exciting drivers coming through," he continues, "look at Graham (Rahal), he's really making waves now, having first really come to attention in A1. I think there could be many more 'Grahams' out there.
"I think there could be a few more similar surprises to come," he adds, "wait and see."
In the weeks and months leading up to Zandvoort, there will surely be many more exciting announcements coming out of A1 GP, be sure to keep fully up to speed with Pitpass.