A1GP News Round Up

London, Great Britain – On Monday (26 January) following the Taupo event, and at the request of Ferrari, A1 Teams Ireland and New Zealand completed some additional running to try out a version of the pressurized fuel collector at high ambient temperatures. The data collected will be validated by A1GP Technology in further factory tests to produce a modification for all team cars prior to the A1GP Gauteng event in three weeks’ time.

Team Principal Mark Gallagher: "We were asked to help out with the test and were happy to oblige. Naturally for reasons of fairness we could not use Adam Carroll for this test, nor carry out any performance testing of benefit to the team, but it was very useful for Niall Quinn to get some decent running in the car. It was nice as championship leaders to be asked to assist A1GP and Ferrari with this test and to help them ensure that the superb new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car continues to provide the teams with a strong, reliable package. We’ll focus all our energies on the next race in Gauteng, South Africa. Kyalami is a new track for everyone in A1GP and will be another leap into the unknown."

A1 Team New Zealand also ran its car in the test, and worked with Ferrari and Magneti Marelli so they could gain a better understanding as to why a small number of cars – including the New Zealand car – were affected by problems during the Taupo event with the drivers’ application of the anti-stall system. New Zealand did not have a rookie driver at the Taupo event, and therefore Jonny Reid undertook the testing.

South Africa is already gearing up for the next event, A1GP Gauteng on 20 – 22 February. As part of the build up the A1GP test car has already arrived in the province from New Zealand last week and was on display at The MPH Show, which also incorporates Top Gear Live, at the Coca-Cola Dome in Johannesburg from January 29 to February 1.

A1GP Village will also be at the Montecasino Piazza from Thursday 12 February to Thursday 19 February with the test car on show from 12 -15 February. Visitors will also get the chance to hear the distinctive notes of the Ferrari engine that propels all the cars on the A1GP grids around the world. The Tire Change Challenge will also be activated from 12 – 15 February with TW Steel watches also up for grabs on 14 and 15 February. Adventure biker and Supermoto Champion, Brian Capper, will be doing a display in the Piazza over the weekend with other exhibitors including Fantastic Racing, TW Steel, Neo Solutions super cars, a super bike display and EA Sports Need for Speed gaming pods. The A1GP Adrenalin Rush will also be set up for children.

Looking further ahead, tickets for A1GP Algarve, Portugal are now on sale via www.autodromoalgarve.com . The event is due to take place at the Aut¢dromo Internacional do Algarve, from 10-12 April 2009. Ticket prices vary according to the selected grandstands with children under 12 able to attend the event free-of-charge. For anyone buying tickets before 28 February, there will also be an additional promotion in place with four tickets sold for the price of three.

Congratulations also go out to A1 Team Great Britain’s Danny Watts and his partner Fiona who are proud parents to Joshua Louis, born at 0915 on 15 January 2009.

2008/09 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport points standings

Next race: A1GP Gauteng, South Africa, 20 – 22 February 2009.