A1GP succeeds where Champ Car fails

UPDATE #2 A reader adds, Dear AutoRacing1.com, I remember how many times your publication urged Champ Car to hire Narain Karthikeyan to take advantage of the large Indian population both here and abroad. Now that he has won the feature race in China today, A1GP gets yet another feather in their cap. Since A1GP signed their deal with Ferrari everything is falling into place for that series. Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is for A1GP to buy Champ Car. Then maybe we will have one heck of a properly run global series to challenge F1. George Wilson, Charlotte, NC

12/16/07 As the feature race is about to begin in 5 minutes, the entire main grandstand and other viewing areas around the Zhuhai track are packed with enthusiastic Chinese race fans. Champ Car will regret letting this race get away for decades to come.

The China team gets the packed grandstands cheering

12/15/07 A1GP arrived in Zhuhai, China this week to put on their inaugural race. Opening ceremonies saw the Chinese team car, driven by Marchy Lee, put in some demo laps before a packed grandstand. Whereas Champ Car failed to have its Zhuhai event materialize, the A1GP weekend started off without a hitch.

After Lee sped around the track for two laps, the A1 Team China race car stopped right in front of the grandstand in the middle of the two rows of flag bearers. Marchy Lee then undid his seatbelts and stepped up from the car. He removed his helmet and waved to the crowd. The crowd responded enthusiastically, in an instant, the grandstand was full of people waving the Chinese national flag and cheered A1 Team China.

Federation of Automobile Sports of China (FASC) chairman Mr. Yan Jian-Chang, Zhuhai's Vice Mayor Mr. Jin Zhan-Yang, Zhuhai Sports Council Chairman Mr. Jiang Jian-Cheng. A1GP Asia Pacific CEO Mr. David Clare, A1 Team China chairman Liu Yu, ZIC Board Director Mr. Huang Gong-Bo, ZIC President Dato' Lim Hock-San walked to the car as A1 Team China's starting ceremony officially began. At the singing of the Chinese national anthem, everyone including the guests and fans stood up respectfully as they witnessed the arrival of the A1 Grand Prix – World Cup of Motorsport's arrival at the Zhuhai International Circuit.

After the flag raising ceremony, the flag was given to Zhuhai's Deputy Mayor Mr. Jin Zhan-Yang from A1GP Asia Pacific CEO Mr. David Clare, witnessed by FASC chairman Mr. Yan Jian-Chang. A1GP is now officially an alliance of the Zhuhai International Circuit, signifying another international event's arrival at ZIC. This is another confirmation that Zhuhai's enthusiasm for motorsport and motorsport culture has been recognized internationally. The huge number of motorsport fans and the motorsport culture nurtured by ZIC, has helped enormously in achieving the allegiance with A1GP.