Race Calendar (A3 Racing Series)

Well we suggested A2 series: http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=68069 However the creaters of A1 are going to create A3, the official feeder series! There aren't many details yet, as it is to be launched nest week, but here is the news article on Autosport: http://www.autosport-atlas.com/news.aspx?id=44385&s=9

It seems there will several regional based series to help promote driving in places where there isn't much motorsport of that level. The first series will be in South Africa.

Makes a lot of sense - all credit to the Sheik.

This looks interesting in that it will "kick off in South Africa in July", before A1 GP itself. I guess we'll see what it's all about in the launch tomorrow (according to a1gp.com).

A3 racing series, a new feeder formula which will develop future A1 drivers from developing nations in preparation for the inaugural season of the first World Cup of Motorsport this September. The A3 Racing Series will launch today. (Tuesday 24 May) The first Round of the A3 Racing Series will kick-off in South Africa this July.

A3 Racing Series Race Calendar
Round 1 - July ?? 2005 South Africa

Confirmed: A3 will feature 3 ten day training sessions, and 2 race weekends, all in South Africa.

It will use "Formula Volkswagen" cars.

FVee?

Sadly not!

I understand it's an F3 sized car with VW engines.

All the things look the same as the pre-launch. Including the VW engines etc...

http://www.autosport-atlas.com/news.aspx?id=44473&g=1

Hmm, I guess non-Autosport subscribers will have to wait for A1GP.com to update to find out more.

I was wondering what became of the Formula Volkswagen cars. Could be good if they're mainly targetting countries without established single-seater categories.

Isn't the idea to have various national A3 championships rather than just one? Or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

From the blurb on A1GP.com (21/5/05) it sounds as though there would be various national championships -

"...I hope to see A3 established in all nations competing in the World Cup of Motorsport." - Sheikh Maktoum

So I guess the South African A3 series is to develop drivers from South Africa who are potential candidates for their A1GP seat? Or am I getting the wrong end of the stick too? Is it instead a single series where all the less experienced drivers (from all nations, especially the developing countries) can train in preparation for a possible drive in A1GP?

I wouldn't have thought someone like Alan van der Merwe would benefit from stepping down to A3, and the South African franchise holder might be a tad crazy to bet on someone who's just learned the ropes in A3... it's all a bit confusing to me!

If anyone's interested there are archived results of German Formula VW from 2001-2003 here:

http://www.motorsport-xl.de/automobil/formel/f_vw/2004/ergebnisse.htm

Interesting to recall some of the names who came through the old German series - Rob Nguyen, Jaap van Lagen, Daniel La Rosa, Ronnie Quintarelli, Walter Lechner Jr, Sven Barth, Bastian Kolmsee.

Here's some technical facts I once saved about the Formula VW car (in German) -

Motor 4-Zylinder-Reihe, VWR-Typ 590
Hubraum 1984 ccm
Ventile pro Zylinder 2
Leistung 138 kW (187 PS) bei 7000 U/min
Max. Drehzahl 7500 U/min
Max. Drehmoment 215 Nm bei 5000 U/min
Motormanagement VW Racing
Tank Sicherheitstank FT 3
Kraft- und Schmierstoffe Shell Optimax Super Plus bleifrei
Getriebe 5-Gang sequentiell
Kupplung Sachs Zweischeiben-Sintermetall
Fahrwerk Sachs-Stoßdämpfer, einstellbar (Zug & Druck), H & R Spezialfedern Doppelquerlenker-Achsen mit Pushrod
Bremsanlage 4-Kolben-Festsättel, 2- Kreissystem mit Bremskraftverteilung über Waagebalken
Räder BBS, vorn 8 x 13", hinten 10,5 x 13"
Reifen Dunlop, vorn 190/535 R13, hinten 230/570 R13
Sicherheits-einrichtungen - gemäß aktuellen FIA/DMSB Vorschriften (nach F3 Reglement), Schroth Safety Products
Länge/Breite/Höhe 3961/1680/1015 mm
Spurweite (vorn/hinten) 1500/1450 mm
Radstand 2600 mm

More Info:
http://www.a1gp.com/home.html

Having also just read the web report, I THINK it works as follows:
The A3 cars are t be beuilt here in South Africa.
The cars can be purchased by all of the A1 countries, and used in that country.
I don't think the idea is that all drivers come to SA for the A3 series.

Maybe A3 will move around the world as a circus, holding racing clinics as they go.

Will try get more info and advise..

T

This year, the only series will be in South Africa and drivers from wherever can go there.

In future years A3 may run elsewhere.

Hmm, I guess non-Autosport subscribers will have to wait for A1GP.com to update to find out more.
The only other site I saw it on a couple of days ago was crash.net: http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=26&nid=111409

Guys, I have merged the two A3 threads for ease...

Stephen.

I wonder if the organizers have something else in mind for A2?

Anyway, I think it will be good if the organizers will allow China and Malaysia to manufacture the A3 cars locally, it will be a lot cheaper that way for the local drivers. Right now, if you want to race in single seaters over here, everything must be imported and it is a real pain.

Also, I think A3 must run as support race to A1. As far as I know currently A1 is not going to have any support race in the not so traditional racing countries.

I wonder if the organizers have something else in mind for A2?

Perhaps they're just mimicking the established feeder series for F1 with their names. e.g. F1 becomes A1, and F3 becomes A3. So F3000/GP2 would become A3000 or something, but since A1 is already more like F3000/GP2 than F1 already they probably won't (besides, A3000 sounds like an aeroplane :p)