Round 1 cancelled

ProRally

A1GP statement
Saturday, October 17, 2009
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.”

Lets see if they can make it to China

Stuartf12007

Very sad, was looking forward to it.

Looks like the whole series is on the verge of collapse unless a new investor comes in.

philipbain

It has seemed inevitable since the end of last season that A1GP wouldn't be back, something which I find very sad because I always enjoyed the series, it provided something to focus on during the off-season. Unfortunately the concept is slightly flawed as motor racing hasn't really embraced national identity since the 1960's and the emphasis tends to be on individual drivers rather than nations, so as many teams rarely kept the same driver for the whole season it was automatically going to limit the interest in the series. I would like to see it continue, but I'm really not sure how they will go forward now as the series seems to have lost its backing and is massively in debt.

Jonesi

http://tsn.ca/auto_racing/story/?id=295104

SUBARUTEAM

ever since the 1st year of A1GP, i have wondered where they get their revenue from? there are no sponsors on most of the cars, and most of the teams & events are not paying sanction fees. so where did the revenue come from? History may judge that there was not revenue, hence the current situation.

this series is done i'm afraid.

elis

I for one an extremely disappointed, yet cling to some titchy slither of hope the series can continue.. A1GP more often than not put on some fabulous races & had some tip top drivers, mixed in with some rookies, which actually made for some fun racing. Often the track action was heaps better than some of the stuff from more 'established & higher rung series around the globe'.

Fingers crossed.. but realistically I'm not too optomistic for the future

Bruce D

Now Round 2 & 3 are cancelled too, no China or Malaysia races.

This series is, sadly, now dead I think.

ProRally

Originally Posted by Bruce D
Now Round 2 & 3 are cancelled too, no China or Malaysia races.

This series is, sadly, now dead I think.

Everything is for sale, the cars and the equipment, also their lease of their workshop ended last week....

harsha

was fun while it lasted

RIP

Nikki Katz

That's a shame, was motorsport during the winter. Not that I have Sky Sports though. Some of the drivers there were quite good too. But this was entirely predictable, probably from the moment the series was announced in the first place.