Brands Hatch Race thoughts

[JohnMiller]

Pre-96 F3000 had just as much, if not more, going for it as opposed to GP2 and was watched by three men and a dog (and two of the men and the dog were invited by one of the drivers).

It cost very little to get in, you could camp for bugger all and spend the Saturday evening in the pitlane with the teams. The racing was fantastic but people weren't interested due to it being "second rung."

That's where A1GP can be different - in that it is different and not 'junior.'

One of the interesting things of the weekend was the comparative performances of the drivers - some of whom would be no higher than self-funding Class B F3 looking very good against supposedly much better opposition.

I can certainly see currently unfancied drivers getting massive leg-ups through A1.

[SALEEN S7R]

Originally Posted by JohnMiller

That's where A1GP can be different - in that it is different and not 'junior.

That might be what the organisers are trying to promote the series as, but the vast majority of drivers in A1 GP are all there because they know that if they perform well it might be seen by F1 bosses and they may get picked up by a F1 team. Make no mistake, drivers like Kerr, Power, Piquet etc are not in A1 GP because they see the series as a alternative to F1, they see it as a stepping stone to F1.

Sure you have a few ex F1 drivers such as Lamy, Firman, Verstappen, Enge, Yoong, etc who are in the series because its a good high profile series but most of them know in their heart of hearts that they wont be in F1 again with the possible exception of Enge. For them its either A1 GP or Champ cars/IRL. A1 GP can say what it likes but IMO at the end of the day the series is effectivly in direct competition with GP2 and WSBR despite what it promotes itself as because at the end of the day most of the drivers in the series see it as a stepping stone to F1, not a alternative. IMO.

[touringlegend]

A1's trump card could well be it's during the normal off season for motorsport. If it were run during the year I doubt it'd get as much attention.

Give it a few seasons to build it's credibility and I think we could see some good names competing, and it's not as if a driver has to compete the whole season either.

[Russ-Turner]

Originally Posted by Pingguest

Nice feature race by Jos Verstappen. Started from 25th position and finised at 7th spot. Impressive.

Not really. Surely a driver of his experience should be able to set up a car and have the ability to run in the top three with ease.

[Radius]

Enjoyed race , couldve had more overtaking and should've had MUCH better access to circuit!!!

Watching my home country (South Africa) is something i won't experince in F1 for some time....so no complaints from me!

SA raced from back of grid to finish 6th!!! Good race from jos 2 after incident in race 1.

[flexible-flyer]

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

That being the case I dont see any reason why GP2 woudnt attract big crowds, the driving talent is as good as what we have in A1 GP IMO if not a bit better. After all GP2 has top drivers like Kovalinen, Carroll, Pantano and Jani, none of whom are in A1 GP. Just because GP2 lives in F1's shadow doesent mean it woudnt attract big crowds especially if promoted as heavily as A1 GP has been. Put any series alongside F1 and the other series will inevitably live in F1's shadow.

GP2 has IMO superior drivers and the overall team levels are about the same between the 2 series, although the GP2 cars will be signifcantly faster in 2006 thanks to the series switching to slick tyres.

well jani is in A1 too but i agree with everything you have said. watching A1GP yesterday...it was good but i watched an F1 race and an IRL race yesterday and it was plain to see what series was the minnow. and if gp2 had 4 hours of live coverage on sky sports 1 you can bet your ass gp2 would be hailed above A1 also.

yes it was only the first weekend and they still have a whole season ahead of them but before A1 even started anything i read about it or watched about it seemed to be hyping up what was effectivly, in my opinion, something on a par with the old f3000. the sheikh wants A1 to be the biggest thing in motorsport in a few years time but as far as i can see it isnt even close to getting on the podium of the single seater hierarchy. i will watch A1 any time it is on, especially with it being shown in the winter, but i cannot see myself considering it as the pinnacle like the sheikh says he wants it to be in the future.

[dazbaz_99]

I would just like to say what a great atmosphere yesterdays meeting had! Plenty of countries being supported and it was fantastic to see so many flags being waved.I was in grandstand C and there was a fantastic roar and cheer as the sprint race got under way. Another big moment for me was the Pit stop in the Feature race with Brazil and Britain fighting it out for the lead, great feeling when we got the better of them, just a shame the car couldnt make the finish, would of liked to see Robbie and Nelson fight for the lead. I really think this series has a great future ahead of it, it has captured the imagination of not just motorsport fans but other people who perhaps would not have gone to this race if it was just team and driver orientated. I think the countries aspect will attract a whole new audience, and thats fantastic for the sport as a whole. Brands Hatch looked absolutely awesome yesterday and made me wonder what it must of been like during the 80s and the F1 years, very special im sure. A great day, only slightly soured by the incredibly long wait to get out of the circuit.

[Gerben24]

Originally Posted by jezwold

Hmmmm what about Matt Halliday from Team NZ. 25th to 4th in the 2nd race. Just think of the damage he could have done if he had not had a moment at the start of warm up. To be able to pick places like this does indicate the quality of a driver. Bring on the next round in Germany.

Verstappen would have finished in front of Halliday if he hadn't had that lengthy pittstop (they had trouble with the left front tyre). He could have finished on the podium I think. Nonetheless a good drive from Halliday (in the best looking car in the field!)

[muzza4ever]

Isn't GP2 designed a sa feeder series for F1? Therefore it makes perfect sense for it to be the support race for F1 - gives up and coming drivers exposure to the tracks that they'll be racing on in F1,

Plus it means the talent scouts/bosses within F1 get to see these drivers in race conditions. Although I'm sure they're pretty busy on race weekends anyway...

[plonkey]

Originally Posted by speedy2

just a couple of thoughts, why was the driver involved in the accident at paddock bend not wearing a 'hans device' ?,

I would have thought if A1 was serious, safety would be first ?

and what overtaking was there, I have seen more in any single GP2 race this year ?

even the last F3 at Modello had more passing.....

they may be loud and colourful, but the end they are old technology and F3000 Lola's at that.

I would say they are the big brother of another formula, Palmer audi and look where that is now...boost button and all...

I remember the first year of Cart cars coming to Brands and the crowd was just as big, the acid test is the second or third years....where is Cart now?

the problem is there really is no point to it, it's not one thing or another, GP2 has a reason...F3 has a reason...A1 has no reason.

If anyone thinks this is going to challenge F1, they must be on 'acid' all the hype in the world counts for nought, if the racing has no purpose,

The only people making money are the Teams running them and the 50 paid drivers.....

Sorry to be negative, but just 'cause some rich guy thinks it's a good idea, do we all have to follow like sheep,

Bernie sleep well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gee whiz, that was constructive. Pessimism at its best.

[Radius]

Originally Posted by dazbaz_99

I would just like to say what a great atmosphere yesterdays meeting had! Plenty of countries being supported and it was fantastic to see so many flags being waved.I was in grandstand C and there was a fantastic roar and cheer as the sprint race got under way. Another big moment for me was the Pit stop in the Feature race with Brazil and Britain fighting it out for the lead, great feeling when we got the better of them, just a shame the car couldnt make the finish, would of liked to see Robbie and Nelson fight for the lead. I really think this series has a great future ahead of it, it has captured the imagination of not just motorsport fans but other people who perhaps would not have gone to this race if it was just team and driver orientated. I think the countries aspect will attract a whole new audience, and thats fantastic for the sport as a whole. Brands Hatch looked absolutely awesome yesterday and made me wonder what it must of been like during the 80s and the F1 years, very special im sure. A great day, only slightly soured by the incredibly long wait to get out of the circuit.

True, the place rocked. 1st race i've been 2 in England. Clean, tidy, secure and ppl from all over the globe! Especially the Brazilian and Mexican chics i met! mingled with Dutch, Swiss, Aus, NZ, Japanese and others who didnt know where they're from after like 8 pints!!! I've been 2 Monza this year and you can't compare the 2 formula's in terms of socialising.

Well organized and friendly marshalls. Lots to c and do. Awesome circuit for spectators and easy 2 move around and watch from a different spot. Favourite spots are def Paddock Hill and at the end of Hawthorn Hill.

Lack of overtaking thou but i think the track layout and equal cars had allot to do with it and things will defintely improve in future races. The sprint race results should def not be used for feature race grid positions.

Well done 2 my team (South Africa 2th to 6th!) and great work Brands, i'll def be back...but SORT OUT CIRCUIT ACCESS!!!!!

[Down F0rce]

I love the action at Brands. Great way to start off. I'll be tuning in for Germany.

[Oaksnaf]

Yep ill also be tuning in for Germany, and turning up for Eastern Creek.

[storyline]

Couple of comments after watching a tape of the live broadcast.

As a category - definately better than F1 - slides (controlled and otherwise), <shock-horro> overtaking and some 'racing'!

But - a couple of downsides (and, OK - this is from a TV viewing perspective so feel free to flame away).

First - the initial safety period in Race 2 - is it just me or am I the only one to think the driver of the course car that came straight out of the pits, across the track to stop at track edge is lucky to have a car that is still in one piece? Yes, I know they have flashing lights, they are on their way to an incident and in a hurry - but surely even with the field under safety flags that driver was courting disaster (look at the way the second car locked up brakes because of teh speed at which he was approaching).

Second safety car incident - safety car was clearly seen on the track with lights flashing - this was shown for, what? a good 5 seconds so there was no misconstruing where the SC car was located. Camera cuts to Piquet and Power still RACING and dicing away for aorund 1/3 of a lap - maybe more.

A1 GP regs - page 31, article 255

When the order is given to deploy the Safety Car during a Race, all observers' posts will display waved yellow flags and a board "SC" which shall be maintained until the intervention is over

Again - I am sure this wasn't me (I even rewound the tape and watched it 3 times to check) - there were NO SC boards or yellow flags being displayed elsewhere around the track until Piquet and Power reached the SF line.

Is this a Brands Hatch problem or an A1 problem (and therefore a major safety issue)?

[bella]

at brands hatch, releasing the safety car is always a pain in the arse. the drivers i believe don't have to stop overtaking and messing about until the start finish line?

[storyline]

FIA rules normally spell this out - but the A1GP regs are very clear (as I quoted above). Besides, to be honest, if they are allowed to continue racing until the line - well, talk about dangerous as they could quite easily have the problem area between the cars racing and the SF line.

[mixxer]

Overall I enjoyed it, looking forward to it coming to Aus
I think it will provide a motor racing fix for what is traditionally a very quiet time of the year.
Congratulations to all involved.

PS have they flattened out dingle dell again ?

[lucypumablue]

Originally Posted by storyline

FIA rules normally spell this out - but the A1GP regs are very clear (as I quoted above). Besides, to be honest, if they are allowed to continue racing until the line - well, talk about dangerous as they could quite easily have the problem area between the cars racing and the SF line.

If the problem area had been between them and the SF line, yellow flags would have been waved so they would not have continued racing under those conditions. Once under the safety car, marshals would have been able to clear the accident safely.

[strider]

Originally Posted by bella

at brands hatch, releasing the safety car is always a pain in the arse. the drivers i believe don't have to stop overtaking and messing about until the start finish line?

Delete 'brands hatch' and substitute 'most circuits'. If you watch an F1 race, the field is actually slowed down before the Safety Car is released by using the same method described in the A1GP Regs. The problem is that most circuits don't have a good enough method of communication from Race Control to the various Marshals Posts to enable this to happen, i.e. radio. Oddly enough, I would have thought Brands would be okay, but apparently not. Maybe the cars were too loud...

[gravel_monkey]

Originally Posted by speedy2

just a couple of thoughts, why was the driver involved in the accident at paddock bend not wearing a 'hans device' ?,

I would have thought if A1 was serious, safety would be first ?

and what overtaking was there, I have seen more in any single GP2 race this year ?

even the last F3 at Modello had more passing.....

they may be loud and colourful, but the end they are old technology and F3000 Lola's at that.

I would say they are the big brother of another formula, Palmer audi and look where that is now...boost button and all...

I remember the first year of Cart cars coming to Brands and the crowd was just as big, the acid test is the second or third years....where is Cart now?

the problem is there really is no point to it, it's not one thing or another, GP2 has a reason...F3 has a reason...A1 has no reason.

If anyone thinks this is going to challenge F1, they must be on 'acid' all the hype in the world counts for nought, if the racing has no purpose,

The only people making money are the Teams running them and the 50 paid drivers.....

Sorry to be negative, but just 'cause some rich guy thinks it's a good idea, do we all have to follow like sheep,

Bernie sleep well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sorry to say this but i cant see the point in your rant. again your comparing this to f1 and it just isnt. the lack of passing in the sprint is because as someone mentioned there were no t-cars at the event so if something happened in the sprint the team was screwed. there was quite a lot of overtaking but if you were watching on tv they concentrated on the front cars as usual. as you state only the teams and paid drivers make money, the teams have shed out for the franchise and run hardly no sponsors so prize money that has been put up by the shieke is much appreciated and as well the drivers are actually unpaid and the only money they get is from a share of the winnings if they have a deal with the team. NOW THIS ANNOYED ME.............what do you mean no hans device, rewind your tape and watch as you can see one of the guys from the safety car holding the drivers helmet and the hans device with it, do you really think the drivers would be out in them cars without one!!! safety has been looked a seriously in this as look at the car after the roll, hardly any debris flying everywere, all the tethers on the tyres worked briliantly and the driver didnt have a mark, i think they all did great!!!!!

[gungadan]

Originally Posted by Ian Sowman

Yes, there does seem to be a few too many red/white/blue cars, as a function of the proliferation of red/white/blue flags.

I wish they'd run in traditional racing colours. BRG for GB, Silver for Germany, red for Italy, white for USA, blue for France, etc. Obviously this wouldn't work for the countries with no history in motorsport but at least France, GB and USA would be distinguishable and with a few in solid colours there would be more options for the multicoloured efforts.

[Mr Jinxx]

I understood that the traditional blue for Italy, and Orange for Netherlands was allowed, but for some reason the British Racing Green was not allowed for Team GBR. Maybe it is too closely linked with England, as opposed to Great Britain?

[Gilles lives!]

Came home from Brands and watched the Brazil GP....................yawn!! At least I had recorded it on SKY + so could watch it at 12x speed!

I thought that the whole event went really well and if Team GB had been around at the end, then we could have been in for a classic. The atmosphere in the crowd was terrific which was shown by the appreciation to 'half Nelson' when he took the lead. The fans certainly seemed to have enjoyed themselves which must be a positive for this fledgling series.

[ensign14]

Originally Posted by Mr Jinxx

I understood that the traditional blue for Italy...

Er...

I guess BRG is forgotten by most non-petrolheads. Unless the only reference point is Jaguar which would not be a good thing re A1GP.

The commentators said Italy had not had the time to paint up their car as red. If they do not do so, I can only assume it is deliberate to distinguish the Italian representative from Ferrari. Give 'em the footy colours.

[gungadan]

Originally Posted by Mr Jinxx

I understood that the traditional blue for Italy, and Orange for Netherlands was allowed, but for some reason the British Racing Green was not allowed for Team GBR. Maybe it is too closely linked with England, as opposed to Great Britain?

Ahh, thanks; I wasn't aware of that. Having recorded the feature race and watched it this afternoon, I noticed for the first time that the GB entry had SkySports emblazoned on the side of the car. Sky's corporate colours? Red white and blue - coincidence, or am I being too cynical?