A1GP News Round Up

A1 Teams Switzerland and Monaco have both announced new commercial partners ahead of A1GP Gauteng, South Africa on 20 - 22 February.

Reigning champion Switzerland has confirmed that FORDAHL-FOQ Group, involved in the timing components for telecommunication systems, and cp eyewear and helmets will join its team.

“As a leading company in its business area, FORDAHL-FOQ aims at communicating at the highest level,” said a team statement. “For two years, the group’s advertising strategy is based on motorsport sponsoring. The synergies are obvious: in both fields, speed and accuracy are key elements.

“Swiss brand cp stands for trendy, innovative and at the same time highly professional manufacturing of sun glasses, goggles and sports helmets. Behind the trend-setting collection is a young design team that has its background in fun sports, fashion and music.”

A1 Team Monaco has announced ProTech of Monte Carlo has signed a three-year partnership agreement, to make an active commitment to become the first racing team in the world to embark on a 'Zero Carbon' programme.

The company’s waterless washing product, developed by the ProTech research and development saves 200 litres of water for every car washed.

“By adopting the eco-technological aesthetic measures normally used in the context of everyday driving, developed in the ProTech research and development laboratory, to today's competitive scene, we have just taken a step in the right direction,” said Clivio Piccione, A1GP seat holder and A1 Team Monaco racer.

Current championship leader A1 Team Ireland has also hailed www.A1GP.com’s new facility, A1GP Dashboard.

A1 Team Ireland’s Mark Gallagher, David Kennedy and Teddy Yip were not travelling to the races in New Zealand but were able to enjoy enhanced coverage of their team’s successes in Taupo where Ireland extended its lead at the top of the championship table.

A1GP Dashboard, available on www.A1GP.com, allows users to watch a car’s progress around the track, together with that of its competitors, and to see speed, g-force, throttle, braking, gears and number of Powerboosts available for a driver to use. In effect, when combined with A1GP’s Live Timing facility, the user has the same information available to the drivers and teams.

“Since I was not travelling to New Zealand I used the Dashboard and Live Timing services on A1GP to see how the Team Ireland car was performing and it added a fascinating dimension to following the team,” said A1 Team Ireland Team Principal, Mark Gallagher. “It means that you can see what’s happening on your favourite car and those of its rivals, and when added to the TV coverage on race day it gives motorsport viewers an unparalleled experience. It shows once again A1GP’s commitment to innovation in making the series truly inclusive and accessible to fans all over the world.”

A1 Team Malaysia fans have always been known for their enthusiasm since helping the team win the A1GP.com Favourite A1 Team award which was presented at last season’s Gala Awards. A recent online competition on www.A1GP.com has again cemented the loyalty the team has from its fans.

Malaysia fans won three of the nine prizes on offer in an exclusive competition featured on the website in December.

In a new series of exclusive competitions this season, a host of A1 Team Malaysia goodies were on offer and all of them were very special “money-can’t-buy” prizes.

All the prizes, including 'Hear me Roar' exclusive T-Shirts and A1 Team Malaysia caps, were signed by Zandvoort Sprint race winner Fairuz Fauzy, and rookie driver Aaron Lim.

A1 Team Malaysia also features unique prize competitions in the Fanzone section of the team’s website. One of the team’s partners, JobStreet.com, is also running an exclusive competition with the ultimate prize for A1 Team Malaysia fans, a trip to the UK to watch the British round of the A1GP Series and join the team trackside. Fans can enter the A1 Team Malaysia JobStreet challenge at www.JobStreet.com .

The latest edition of the A1GP RACETALK Podcast is now ready to download. A1GP’s regular free audio podcast dissects all the action from A1GP Taupo with a panel of experts producing a lively debate on all the hot A1GP topics.

Recorded after the dust had settled on the latest round of the series in New Zealand, the panel didn’t shy away from any of the big issues, ranging from what happened with some of the cars’ anti-stall devices to New Zealand’s driver-choice and the qualifying format. Current leader, A1 Team Ireland’s Adam Carroll and A1 Team Great Britain’s Dan Clarke were among those giving their opinions on the latest podcast which can be downloaded free from www.A1GP.com or iTunes now.

A1 Team South Africa has also come up with a different way of deciding which of its rookies will have the honour of representing his nation at the team’s home event later this month.

The three contenders for the position of A1 Team South Africa rookie driver in the fifth round of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport at Kyalami on 22 February are to undergo comprehensive assessments at the Discovery High Performance Centre of the Sports Science Institute in Cape Town on today and tomorrow (9 and 10 February).

Racing drivers Gavin Cronje (29), Cristiano Morgado (29) and Wesleigh Orr (20) – all former Rotax Max world karting champions – will undergo aerobic, strength, stamina, visual skill and mental assessments over the two days.

“The information gained from these professional physical assessments will assist in the decision as to which of the three talented young drivers will represent their country in Friday’s (20 February) rookie practice session before A1GP Gauteng on Sunday (22 February),” said Mike Carroll, general manager, A1 Team South Africa.