A1 Bankrupt! - Page 2 - 10-Tenths Motorsport Forum

Kebab · 30 Jun 2009, 20:11

Anyone got the number for Panorama?

jackschmidt · 30 Jun 2009, 21:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwi3

Very nice article by Autosport (may need online subscription). They used to be quite anti-A1GP but seemed to become converts before season 4.

No mention in Autosport of bankruptcy and a comments near the end of the article "But assurances have been given that the finances are now in place and some tough decisions are being taken as A1GP reorganises itself into a more commercially viable series."

Presume this bankruptcy is what the reorganisation refers to.

I really want to read this article. Unfortunately, Autosport has that funky subscription.

diabloA1 · 1 Jul 2009, 03:03

oh shoot. I forgot you need a subscription to read it. It really is a good one. It very factually describes the problems in season 4 from the friesacher pre-season crash and why it happened, the fact that seat holders bailed out A1GP so the Brands race could go on.. all the stuff we've been hearing about but can only speculate.

The article is based on real facts, both the good and bad of A1GP

The good thing is it ends with a positive note. Perhaps we can figure out a way to extract the article so everyone can read it

Bodysnatcher · 2 Jul 2009, 08:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackschmidt

I really want to read this article. Unfortunately, Autosport has that funky subscription.

I have a funky subscription, but for those of you who don't part with your cash , say thanks to the Chinese who will copy anything ..

http://bbs.hoopchina.com/725119.html

jackschmidt · 2 Jul 2009, 08:42

On the topic of bankruptcy, it's nothing new that A1GP gets bad press all the time. I'm choosing not to think about it too much and instead focus on looking for positive A1GP news. That is much more interesting to find (and not to mention, much harder to find too!).

Bodysnatcher · 2 Jul 2009, 09:18

I don't know Jack(hahah ha) perhaps we should think about A1GP and why it exists (or existed)

A1GP has puzzled me since Sheikh Maktoum dropped it.
I could understand a very rich middle eastern ruler (or at least ruling family) investing in a race series to reflect well on the region by having international sport during the traditional Northern hemisphere off season. Hence Bernie starting GP2 Asia to counter that threat.

What I could not see what a very succesful businessman like Teixeira (look up his past and be very very frightened, especially who his son in law is) hoped to get out of it.

A recent article I heard on BBC Radio 4 about what top level football is reputedly being used for gives a hint.
So, did TT pay Maktoum and in turn RAB capital pay TT?

Just a theory you understand...
In fact motor racing is mentioned too
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...nti-corruption

**Kiwi3** · 2 Jul 2009, 10:18

That's not the first time I have heard that theory. Some prominant F1 journalists strongly believed that theory, which is why they were so anti-A1GP. The journalists in question seem to have more recently mellowed in their views however.

However contrary to the theory...surely if you wanted a channel to be able to shift money across borders then surely there would be easier ways than buying a fleet of Ferrari badged racing cars and Ferrari engines. You would want to do it on the cheap, therefore you would run the Lolas as long as you possibly could. You also wouldn't bother buying air time across Asia.

I also don't believe that this would be lost on the likes of Mark Gallagher or Colin Giltrap, who are smart chaps.

RichardRenes · 2 Jul 2009, 20:04

Better yet, A1GP and Energem share the London office. But that is the fault with A1GP. It's still run asif it was another mining company.. It is NOT. It's a racing series, so it's time it's run like one. Starting by offering decent merchandise and giving us the PC/ wii/ Sega/ whatever game like Superleague Formula does (which is run by sports marketeers)

jackschmidt · 2 Jul 2009, 23:40

By the way, thanks very much for the assistance, Richard.

Anyway, the conspiracy theories on this, that's not something I think about because it doesn't particularly help anything nor can I do anything about it. If it's true, then someone would be already on it. Where there's smoke, there's fire.

PTRACER · 6 Jul 2009, 23:59

So is A1GP going to continue or what?

**Kiwi3** · 7 Jul 2009, 02:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by PTRACER

So is A1GP going to continue or what?

The silence is deafening isn't it? Professional motorsport media such as autosport have not announced it's funeral yet.

Mak · 7 Jul 2009, 06:15

Even the people involved in the operation of the series don't know what is going on or what will happen. I think only TT has any idea.

**ghinzani** · 7 Jul 2009, 07:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bodysnatcher

What I could not see what a very succesful businessman like Teixeira (look up his past and be very very frightened, especially who his son in law is) hoped to get out of it.

Who is his son-in-law, couldnt find any reference on google.

RichardRenes · 7 Jul 2009, 20:00

Bruce Holmes, A1GP exec manager for Europe is his son in law

bustin noseboxes · 8 Jul 2009, 07:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardRenes

Bruce Holmes, A1GP exec manager for Europe is his son in law

Interesting info...didn't know that.

As for bankruptcy.... Ferrari, let alone potentially the Portuguese government, dont get into a joint alliance with anyone.... never underestimate TT...... Aqua SP anyone?

Welcoming AmericanLeMansFans refugees.