[Iceman]

Talk about the upcoming 2010 A1 racing tournament here!

Can Ireland defend their Title?

[Iceman]

A1GP World Cup of Motorsport has been forced to withdraw from participation in the Nikon SuperGP on Australia’s Gold Coast on the 22-25 October in what was due to be the series’ first race of Season Five.

The series found itself in a race against time to make the deadline for when its cars would have to leave the UK to be on track in Surfers Paradise next Thursday. The series organisers never doubted this was possible, but today have been forced to accept this now cannot happen.
This decision was announced by A1GP Chairman, Tony Teixeira, who wanted to address everyone involved in the event.

“I want to personally apologise to the people affected by this regrettable but unavoidable decision," said Teixeira.

"The Queensland Government, Gold Coast Motor Events Co, the management and Chairman of the event have been patient and supportive of us in the past weeks.

"We were proud to be part of what has become one of the world’s most iconic motorsport events, and are devastated at the decision we have had to make. We also know the Australian motorsport fans are very protective of this event and had welcomed us with open arms. To them I also apologise and stress that we wanted to put on a show for them that they would never forget."

In view of what has happened A1GP will refund to Gold Coast Motor Events Co the sanction fee paid, and will donate AUS $50,000 to a charity designated by them. Also contractors engaged directly by A1GP who have already incurred expenses on our behalf will be fully reimbursed.

One effect of the UK operating arm of the series going into liquidation in June was that access to the cars and the ability to pay its suppliers has been impeded. What should have been a summer upgrading the machinery in time for the first race of the 2009/10 season has turned into a frustrating time for achieving this.
Looking to the future Teixeira said: “We have recently announced 19 teams who were ready to race in Australia. I know they are still committed to racing in our unique series that pits nation versus nation.

"A1GP may be down, but I do not accept we are out. We have had four exciting seasons that have proved we are a force in the sport and now we shall consolidate on what we have achieved to date. My efforts will be on finding a way forward with the support of some very loyal people.”

[pinkmichk]

i've never watched it is it shown on normal tv channels? like i need any more motorsport to fill my time with

[Iceman]

Yeah setanta (don't know if it's on ESPN) show some and it's streamed on the A1 website....first race will be on the 15th November! That's if they get the go ahead....

[pinkmichk]

i'll have to watch online then only have freeview is it worth the watch?

[Iceman]

Yeah it has become great, they use ferrari engines now (only since last season) Not sure who's driving for who yet, they leave it as a suprise until the first race!!!! Adam Carroll could be trying to defend the title for Ireland not sure though!

[pinkmichk]

when does the season run to? i doubt i'll know any drivers and i think all my motorsports will start blurring into 1 before long

[Iceman]

It starts in November and finishes in May!!!!! long long breaks in between because the drivers race in GP2, and loads more...im sure youll know a few....

will try get a list of some in a bit....

[pinkmichk]

ahh cool i have watched a bit of gp2 so i might do that will be cool cos will fill the gap between both f1 and touring car not being on

[Iceman]

Adrian Sutil
Jos Verstappen
Scott Speed (remember him lol)
Nicholas Prost
Piquet Jnr
Hulkenberg
Doornbos
Adam Carroll
Buemi
Marco Andretti

they're just a few, there's been nearly 100 drivers!!!!!!!

[Iceman]

Adam Carroll may have slipped under the radar since he captured the A1GP championship for Team Ireland back in May but he hasn't been idle and the low profile has been deliberate.

He has been quietly working away behind the scenes, planning his racing future, but now crunch time is approaching for the 26-year-old Portadown driver.

Within the next few weeks the make-up of the 2010 Formula One grid will become apparent and with four new teams set to join the grand prix ranks, it is probably now or never for Carroll.

If he is to realise his dream of graduating to F1 it must surely happen in the coming weeks. And, I'm told, the signs are encouraging.

After his impressive double victory which secured the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport for Ireland at Brands Hatch almost six months ago, Carroll took the conscious decision to sit out the summer.

He had offers to drive in a number of competitions including the football themed Superleague and the Formula Masters series but rejected them, opting to concentrate instead on his F1 goal.

He has been in talks with a number of teams and with the potential backers who will be needed to ease him into the seat of a grand prix car.

Drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen may earn multi-million dollar fortunes but hopefuls like Carroll must fund their graduation.

The payback, if they are successful, will come later which is the gamble investors and sponsors are being asked to take.

But Carroll has the credentials to be an F1 success.

He has been a winner at every level of motor racing through Formula Ford, Formula Three, GP2 and most recently A1GP.

He has raced against — and beaten — at least half of the current F1 grid including 2008 World champion Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Heikki Kovalainin, Timo Glock, Sebastien Buemi and Toni Luizzi.

They only thing he has lacked is money and the opportunities it brings.

The summer objective for Carroll and his advisors has been to raise the three-to-four million dollar budget required for the next step.

Shortly we will know if they have been successful.

Carroll won't — or more accurately can't because of confidentiality agreements — reveal which teams he is talking to but rumours continue to link him most closely with the new Manor Grand Prix operation which is expected to take to the grid next year under the Virgin banner.

The situation, however, has been complicated by the announcement of the exit of BMW-Sauber from the end of this season, putting established drivers like Robert Kubica (already snapped up by Renault) and Nick Heidfeld onto the market.

The Sauber team may yet survive under new owners but there are still questions hanging over the future of Toyota and their drivers Glock and Jarno Trulli.

But the encouraging news is that Carroll is still very much in the mix, whether with Manor or one of the other ‘expansion' teams — Campos, USF1 and Lotus — or even an existing team, like Williams who are expected to drop Kuzuki Nakajima (along with Toyota engines) and may lose Rosberg to Brawn.

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sp...#ixzz0UPv80FPi