21/02/2007
NEWS STORY
A1 Team Pakistan head to South Africa this week, for the eighth round in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport. One of two street races on the 2006/07 calendar, the A1GP Durban, South Africa, takes places around a track specifically designed for the A1GP cars.
Considered by the A1GP drivers as one of the most challenging circuits of the 2005/06 season, this year's event is bound to produce some more great racing and the inevitable list of casualties. Fourteen teams failed to finish last year's Feature race, the tight and twisting track and concrete walls ending many drivers' races. Even Feature race winner Jos Verstappen of A1 Team Netherlands crashed out of the Sprint race, on the very last lap.
Located in the centre of the city, the 3.28km long track winds around the cities narrow streets, with the start/finish line running alongside the amazing coastline.
Nur Ali will again represent his country in the A1 Team Pakistan car, and heads to South Africa hoping to better his outing at the last event in Australia, where his race was prematurely ended after an accident under safety car conditions.
Speaking about his first trip to South Africa, Ali commented, "I'm really excited to be arriving in South Africa this week. A1GP really is a truly global series and it's fantastic that we can bring great racing to so many people around the world. In the case of Durban, we are bringing it right to their doorsteps! It's an amazing location and I can't wait to get in the car on Friday and see what the circuit is really like.
"This track has a reputation as a bit of a car breaker, so there are definitely points to be won by staying out of trouble and away from the walls. Having raced in the A1GP Beijing, China, I'm familar with the way the A1GP car reacts on a tight street circuit, so I'm really looking forward to the weekend."
A1 Team Pakistan seatholder, Arif Husain said, "The Durban round was one of the most spectacular races of the first season, and I'm sure South Africa will put on an equally good show this year. The crowd are incredibly patriotic and it is an honour that Pakistan have the opportunity to represent their country alongside the 21 other nations that make up the World Cup of Motorsport. Nur and the team showed great signs of improvement at the last race in Australia and I think this will continue in South Africa, where points are a realistic target."