Australian A1 GP Team

F1 World Champion Jones launches Australia A1 GP team:
http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=23946

Full launch announcement from this morning's media brief which includes announcement of Team NZ:

Sydney, 30 March – A1 Grand Prix marked its first birthday today with the launch of A1 Team Australia exactly one year on from the championship's official launch in Dubai. With 15 national teams signed up so far and another 10 teams in the final stages of negotiations, A1 Grand Prix is now counting down to its first race this September. To date, some of the world's most successful entrepreneurs, with an estimated net worth of 50 billion US dollars, have demonstrated their commitment to the championship by investing in their national teams. Presidents, Prime Ministers and numerous government ministers, statesmen and high-profile celebrities have backed A1 Grand Prix through attendance at the five national launches which have taken place so far. In the latest high-profile ceremony, Australia became the sixth country to unveil its A1 Grand Prix race car and the second nation to be announced as an A1 Grand Prix race venue. A1 Grand Prix Founder, President and Chairman Sheikh Maktoum took the opportunity to confirm Australia would host an A1 Grand Prix race at a location and date that will be confirmed when the final calendar is announced. Speaking of his country's involvement in the new championship, A1 Team Australia Chairman Alan Jones commented, 'There is no doubt that Australians love their sport and their motor racing. To compete in an international series and to have one race in Australia is very exciting. We are here not just to win but to use this as an opportunity for Australia’s up and coming drivers'. A1 Grand Prix Founder, President and Chairman Sheikh Maktoum spoke of his excitement for Australia's involvement in the championship. 'With over 200 countries in the world and only 25 places on the A1 Grand Prix grid, I'm delighted and honoured to have A1 Team Australia launch this evening with such national support from its government, businesses and people.' Sheikh Maktoum took the opportunity of the launch of the Australian A1 Team to announce the participation in A1 Grand Prix of Australia's closest rival, New Zealand. The franchise, which brings the total to 16, has been bought by entrepreneur businessman Colin Giltrap of Giltrap Group Holdings Limited. Christian Jones will take the wheel of the Australian A1 Grand Prix race car for a media demonstration at the Eastern Creek circuit on Thursday 31 March.

going to be a bit of a competition between A1GP TEam Australia and ChampCars Team Australia on colour schemes and team names, Green and Gold for A1, Green and Yellow for CC!

BTW the car has been on show this morning on the Channel Seven breakfast show Sunrise

Is that maybe a hint towards a broadcaster?

Seriously though, any idea on who may show the races, presuming something is in the pipeline as we have a team?

Not really but the sports guy was having a great time sitting in the car and he did mention something about see you back here in November for the A1 race!

In the Daily Telegraph (Sydney) It said the Ch 7 would be telecasting the A1 races, My only problem with the Aus A1 team is that it looks like Alan Jones is favouring his son over other drivers, eg like Will Power & Will Davidson etc.

Anybody near EC, apparently they are shaking a car down there today.

Any idea about possible drivers?

Craig Lowndes, Jason Bright, Christian Murchison come to mind, and of course Will Power and Will Davison.
Matthew Halliday, even he's a New Zealander, also joins my shortlist, mostly, when he'd proved to be good in the Formula Renault V6 during 2003...

Christian Jones is the one widely tipped to get the seat.

Christian is Alan's son and won the Asian Formula 3 Championship last year.

Last I heard he was going to be backing up in that championship this season, but it appears he may be driving the A1GP car later in the year.

Christian does have talent and I am sure he would do a good job, but I would love to see Will Davison in the car.

Christian Jones and Skeik Makhtoum are doing the driving today at Eastern Creek so that might hint at something, helps to have Dad owning the team!

nationality is important here so we won't able to 'borrow'any Kiwis I'm afraid, also they are running their own team so they will want the best they can muster.

Car looks good on the track at Eastern Creek, CJ was the driver.

Any image's from today ?

I do have some but never tried posting them here!!

So does AJ own the team? Isn't this the bloke that sold off his trophies to raise himself some money a little while back?

AJ is the team figurehead - it's backed by various investors.

he's described as Team Principal, sounds like school!

Actually i think his official title is Chairman and Seat Holder

He sold off some of his trophys to help fund Christians foray in F3 from memory, nothing wrong with that.

Hot off the press courtesy of Racenews

Formula 3
Mar 31 2005
F3 and A1


F3 and A1. Despite appearances, this is not an algebra test, but rather the exciting equation that will see Australian Formula 3 aligned with the A1 Grand Prix World Cup of Motorsport.



Formula 3 Australia Category Administrator Jeff Mattner, last night confirmed that Round 7 of the Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship would be held in November as the premier support category to the Australian round of the A1 Grand Prix World Cup of Motorsport. At this stage, a venue for the meeting has yet to be announced.



Mattner also confirmed that the winner of the 2005 Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship would be given a test in the A1 Team Australia car as part of their prize package.



A1 Grand Prix is the brainchild of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum of the Ruling Family of Dubai and will pit country against country in a true World Cup of Motorsport. Twenty-five countries will line up for the inaugural A1 Grand Prix at Brands Hatch in September.



The Australian team, launched last night at Sydney's Four Seasons Hotel, is headed by 1980 F1 World Champion Alan Jones. Four drivers are in the running for the 2005/06 series; 2004 Asian F3 Champion Christian Jones, 2004 Australian F3 Champion Karl Reindler, multiple F3 race winner (both British and Australian F3) Marcus Marshall and F3 race-winner (British) Will Davison.



For more information on A1 Grand Prix, visit the official site at www.a1gp.com

For more information on Formula 3 Australia, visit the official site at www.formula3.com.au



The next round of the 2005 Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship is at Mallala, South Australia on April 16-17.


Not a bad prize. We might actually get some real interest in open wheelers for once.

My money would be on Johnny Reid driving Colin Giltrap's NZ entry with a generous helping of the $7 million franchise cost and $10 million per year in running costs coming courtesy of his father. We will have to see. It's a huge amount of money to find in NZ annually, so it really needs a Giltrap to underwrite it

The other driver to have a run yesterday in the oh-so sweet sounding car at Eastern Creek was Will Davison. Car probably did around 30-35 laps all up with Jones and Davison doing the honours

That is some good news there, Chucky. The test prize is a nice little carrot for the drivers involved while running at the A1 weekend will be a good opportunity for the series

Australian drivers who should be in the frame? (forget the Supercar guys)

Marcus Marshall, Karl Reindler, Will Power, Ryan Briscoe, James Courtney, Christian Jones, Will Davison, Barton Mawer, John Pettit while the top Australian F3 guys wouldnt disgrace themselves either....

My money would be on Johnny Reid driving Colin Giltrap's NZ entry with a generous helping of the $7 million franchise cost and $10 million per year in running costs coming courtesy of his father. We will have to see. It's a huge amount of money to find in NZ annually, so it really needs a Giltrap to underwrite it
You mean it costs 10 million a year to run the A1GP? American dollars? :ill:

It should be chosen from a number of drivers in NZ who have done well overseas in single seaters. There should be some sort of test day held to decide who should drive the car, the one with the most talent, not the biggest cheque book. The NZ goverment should get behind it as they have with the yachting.

$10 million was the quoted figure, but I shouldn't think Johnny Reid will stump anywhere near all of that.

Dean Calvert, the ex-head of IMG NZ and a helluva nice guy has been hired by Mr Giltrap - announcement was today apparently, but I can't find a copy of a press release right now. Dean was behind the Auckland V8 Supercar Street Race.

It was announced as part of the Australian Press Release, refer to that above.

so A1 Team Australia is not be confused with Team Australia Racing? Both teams announced themselves on the same day!

It would be great to see Jonny in there but i would doubt it very much that the Reids would be able to come up with even 10% of that figure quoted. Little old NZ will be priced out of the market on this one, i believe anyway! Colin Giltrap should be able to fund it on his own lets face it, its his baby.

Davo for A1 GP aus.

Courtney must be the Favorite surely.

James' profile is slightly higher through Toyota as is his wage packet to stay put.

Davo is an obvious choice. The publicity he had at the GP over many other candidates was outstanding. Along with his austrailian racing heritage, Lex his Grandfather, his father F2 contender and his brother, a V8 challenger, the Aus A1 seat belongs to Will Davo making him a probable title favourite.

Good talent but the guy seems to be in desperado mode at present.
Needs to sit down and decide what category he really wants to be in.

I thing the Tony Longhurst/Team Limpdik V8 saga is probably a blessing in disguised. I'd back him over all others....IF i was convinced by this whole A1 thing....still not, still smells whiffy

Australian drivers who should be in the frame? (forget the Supercar guys)

Marcus Marshall, Karl Reindler, Will Power, Ryan Briscoe, James Courtney, Christian Jones, Will Davison, Barton Mawer, John Pettit while the top Australian F3 guys wouldnt disgrace themselves either....Why forget Supercar guys?.....I say get the best driver.

How did the A1 car sound? Was it comparable to a Champ Car or F1 in terms of 'loudness' or more on the F3 side?? I saw the small piece on Ch 10, it seemed to have a nice noise through the TV, but you can't get any idea of how loud it actually is in the flesh.

I was going to attend the EC day, however wasn't given the details in time to get there.

In terms of a driver, I think they need to get the highest profile driver they can, in that case, Courtney you would put forward, however Jones would have just as high a profile, particularly in Asia. Not so sure about Davison though...he just seems to be lacking a bit of superstar quality.

I believe the same for the other countries, for the series to be a success, they need to have drivers with an international pedigree, i.e. Sebastien Bourdais for France.

Jones will get it. Son of a f1 world champion, daddy owns the team, and he can peddle a car pretty well !!

Jones will get it. Son of a f1 world champion, daddy owns the team, and he can peddle a car pretty well !!

I didnt think any of the other drivers were in serious contention anyway....

Who will sponsor this car/team??

Why forget Supercar guys?.....I say get the best driver.

So don't waste your time looking at V8SC guys!

Nothing against the V8 guys but Id like to see a fresh face.

Will Power SHOULD get the gig, but Alan Jones only has his eyes on one person His son . Forget any of the v8supertaxi drivers, as a A1 car would be to tech for them to drive.

Will Power SHOULD get the gig, but Alan Jones only has his eyes on one person His son . Forget any of the v8supertaxi drivers, as a A1 car would be to tech for them to drive.

Will the A1 Series clash with any of Will's or Christian's existing racing seasons ??

You may see Will drive some races, but Chrisitian drive the majority.

So don't waste your time looking at V8SC guys!

I had a crazy dream last night, where Webber teamed up with Coutney at HRT this year. After winning the race easily, MW bagged out the V8s, saying that they are the most over-rated series driver-wise in international motorsport, that no-one in the series had achieved anything of note and if they wanted to see what real competition is like they should go (back?) to europe.

This isn't my opinion, just a wierd dream.

After all, as if MW would bother with the V8s :p

"...... MW bagged out the V8s, saying that they are the most over-rated series driver-wise in international motorsport......"

In ya next dream tell I'd tell Mark that I wouldn't classify the taxi's as international motorsport.... hehe

Some people make me laugh
How many of the young guys mentioned in this thread have raced V8's ?
Guess If we where to apply the logic some here are using those guys cant race the A1 car either :rolleyes:

Some people make me laugh
How many of the young guys mentioned in this thread have raced V8's ?
Guess If we where to apply the logic some here are using those guys cant race the A1 car either :rolleyes:

And how many of these young guys mentioned have won a championship.
Most of them i recall.

How many of the young guys mentioned in this thread have raced V8's ?

Will Power drove with Larko at Bathurst a couple of years ago
Will Davison has driven the Dynamik car last year and at the AGP
Christian Jones has I believe tested Tratty's Toll Falcon....
Marcus Marshall has driven in V8SC & V8DVS
James Courtney is HRT's future lead driver...

Will Power drove with Larko at Bathurst a couple of years ago
Will Davison has driven the Dynamik car last year and at the AGP
Christian Jones has I believe tested Tratty's Toll Falcon....
Marcus Marshall has driven in V8SC & V8DVS
James Courtney is HRT's future lead driver...

Yes, it's true that they have all driven V8's at some stage. But with the exception of Courtney, they are still chasing their dream of racing international open-wheelers. They haven't just settled for the barges.

I'd say the smart bet would be Jones (talented, experienced, and well recognised name) and Davison (talented, very fast, he's tested an F1 car). And Davison hasn't been in v8's long enough to develop the bad habbits.

It's a big (and expensive!) gamble for Australians to try and make it in International open-wheelers, so I think it should be out of these guys. (as well as Barton Mawer). They're the ones that have been putting the effort in. They’ve put it all on the line, they should be rewarded.

Plus we've seen how an established, full-time V8 driver goes in these sort of cars - Lowndes in F3000........

Sorry, its late. I'm tired. Under what auspices will these races be run?

CAMS sanctioned? :)

It's an international series, and will have FIA approval.

Jones has talent and experience? since when?

Russfeld, just because he hasn't done a lot of racing in British F3, does not mean Christian isn't talented and/or experienced. The kid can actually pedal quite well.

He hasnt done a lot of racing anywhere, or to any acclaim. Though well done for his property management skills.

So anyway, what did the car sound like??????

Plus we've seen how an established, full-time V8 driver goes in these sort of cars - Lowndes in F3000........
Speed racer, just some facts for you
Lowndes won the FF championship in 93, the silver star in ADC in 94, 95 he only raced in the 2 endurance races, 96 he raced his first full season in tourers and won everthing that was on offer then in 97 he raced F3000 alongside Montoya in the Marko outfit, at that time he was hardly what you would call an established, full-time V8 driver.

Id rather see a fresh face as I said earlier in the thread.

The series will see car and nation score points - not the driver. So its quite probable that several drivers will be used . . . and it was stated they will be paid.

Are there any pics of the Australian livery?

Here:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/Motorsport/Sheik-series-showdown-for-Australias-top-drivers/2005/04/04/1112489418788.html

Sheik series showdown for Australia's top drivers
By Peter McKay
April 5, 2005

Australia's driver or drivers to contest the new global A1 Grand Prix Series - the world cup of motor sport - will be named after the likely lads go head to head at a drive-off in Australia.

A handful of names are on the shortlist, and others will be added in the coming weeks. Set to do battle for the prized, paid gig are Asian F3 champ Christian Jones, Australian F3 champ Karl Reindler, Australian champ car racer Marcus Marshall, and the two Wills - Power and Davison - both of whom raced in British F3 last season.

Others who will be keen to wave their credentials in front of A1 Grand Prix Team Australia head Alan Jones are Ian Dyk, Chris Agajanian and, perhaps, the brilliant James Courtney, the former Jaguar F1 tester now racing GT cars in Japan.

Starting at Brands Hatch, England, in September and running largely during the F1 off season, the 10-round A1 series will involve 25 national teams including India, Britain, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, Lebanon, Pakistan, China, New Zealand and United Arab Emirates. Each team has two cars and two engines and may use more than one driver.

The three-day race weekend will consist of practice and qualifying, followed on Sunday by a 15- to 20-minute sprint race that will set grid positions for the 40- to 60-minute main event.

Only national sponsors can be displayed on the national car.

The mood was upbeat when Australia's A1 GP team and car were unveiled at a Sydney function a few days ago attended by a wealthy contingent who were entertained by musicians and given the hard sell from former world champ Jones and the A1 GP's founder, Sheik Maktoum Hasher of the ruling family of Dubai.

Sheik Maktoum, who arrived with bodyguards and a flotilla of black BMWs, revealed a fine line in self deprecation when he suggested the rest of the motor sporting world was sceptical when it saw a guy come out on a camel with two oil barrels on his back to sell the A1 GP idea.

The youthful sheik, who has a background in finance, isn't doing the A1 series just for fun. He intends to make money.

NSW tourism minister Sandra Nori lent her support to the project and came out unequivocally in favour of the Australian round being held at Sydney's Eastern Creek Raceway.

Nori, who is also the Minister for Women, then threw down the challenge to Jones to deliver a female racing champion.

Watching proceedings, too, was Neville Crichton, the governing-director of motor vehicle importer Ateco Automotive. A Kiwi, he is supporting the Australian team. "It's terrific value," Crichton said. "The same money as a V8 supercar team."

A1 GP organisers are promising exposure to 80 per cent of the world's population.

The Australian round, though not yet confirmed, will be held at Eastern Creek, and securing the A1 GP marks a rare victory over motor race hungry Victoria.

One vital piece missing from the jigsaw, however, is a host telecaster, although Seven's Saul Shtein was at the unveiling.

Speed racer, just some facts for you
Lowndes won the FF championship in 93, the silver star in ADC in 94, 95 he only raced in the 2 endurance races, 96 he raced his first full season in tourers and won everthing that was on offer then in 97 he raced F3000 alongside Montoya in the Marko outfit, at that time he was hardly what you would call an established, full-time V8 driver.



I know he won FF championship, and went very well in Formula Holden in 94 in a much older car compared to his competitors.

He is a great driver - no doubt.

But in my opinion, because he spent so much time in V8's (from 94 to the end of 96) he had changed his driving style.

And ofcourse he was an established V8 driver - he won the championship didn't he?? and bathurst?? and sandown??

And ofcourse he was a full-time V8 driver - he was full-time at HRT.....

But in my opinion, because he spent so much time in V8's (from 94 to the end of 96) he had changed his driving style.
And ofcourse he was an established V8 driver - he won the championship didn't he?? and bathurst?? and sandown??
And ofcourse he was a full-time V8 driver - he was full-time at HRT.......

during the 96 season only.

Just once more for clarity and to correct some mistakes

In 94 he was driving in the ADC full time .

He was then drafted by HRT for the 2 endurance races in 94 with Brad Jones in the teams second car, Bathurst 5th and Sandown 2nd.

Then in 95 he competed only in 2 endurance races with Greg Murphy, failed to finish at both Sandown and Bathurst.

He had his first full season in tourers in 96 when he won the championship, He did win Bathust and Sandown with Greg Murphy in 96, which is his only Bathurst victory while Murphy has now won Bathurst 4 times.

IMO that doesnt mean he was an established V8 racer just a damm good steerer, its irrelevant anyway but I thought Id set you straight.

Just think. Had this come up 20 years ago your prime candidates would have been John Bowe and Alfredo Costanzo. Now that would have been good...

during the 96 season only.

Just once more for clarity and to correct some mistakes

In 94 he was driving in the ADC full time .

He was then drafted by HRT for the 2 endurance races in 94 with Brad Jones in the teams second car, Bathurst 5th and Sandown 2nd.

Then in 95 he competed only in 2 endurance races with Greg Murphy, failed to finish at both Sandown and Bathurst.

He had his first full season in tourers in 96 when he won the championship, He did win Bathust and Sandown with Greg Murphy in 96, which is his only Bathurst victory while Murphy has now won Bathurst 4 times.

IMO that doesnt mean he was an established V8 racer just a damm good steerer, its irrelevant anyway but I thought Id set you straight.

I don't see what mistakes you wish to clarify. I don't dissagree with any of those facts.

I know what Craig has done in the past, I don't need reminding. Winning any race in V8 Supercars automatically classifys you as an 'Established' driver. Winnng a race establishes you. Let alone winning the big 3! And as you said he was full-time at HRT in 96.

In my eyes that would classify him as Established and Full-time. Guess we'll just have to agree to dissagree.

I just hope like hell that one of those Taxi drivers doesn't get a seat over one of the guys that has put his balls on the line on trying to get a ride OS.

mixxer quote "Just once more for clarity and to correct some mistakes"

"He was then drafted by HRT for the 2 endurance races in 94 with Brad Jones in the teams second car, Bathurst 5th and Sandown 2nd."

________________________________________________________



Just had to add, CL and BJ ACTUALLY finished 2nd at Bathurst in 1994. He was leading for two laps then Bowe passed him on lap 149 and went on to win.


As you would put it ''I thought Id set you straight''

Great to see Australian Formula Three aligning itelf with A1GP. Hopefully it'll give young Aussies a clearer path for them to go and get overseas.

It's something that has been really lacking in Australian motorsport for a long, long time.

Well Done.

Nothing more than a typo obviously I got the results mixed up, for that I'm sorry but as for your remark I'll let the mods handle that one

PS your mistake is that he only raced 4 times in the 2 years 94 - 95.

Gents, please try to calm down and not get into a slanging match. It seems to me that you both have the same answers to the questions, but one had a slight typo.

Come on now, shake hands and walk away as friends.

Stephen.

Fair enough

Cool bananas folks :)