A1 GP for Taupo for Jan 2007

**Cajun** · 6th July 2006, 10:18

not to sure if this been put up yet

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,...1a1823,00.html

' Refurbished Taupo track to host grand prix
06 July 2006
By KENT ATKINSON

A New Zealand round of the A1 Grand Prix motor racing series – billed as the sport's "World Cup" – is scheduled to be staged at Taupo in January 2007, a few weeks before the Australian round.

It will mark the return to New Zealand of serious single-seater racing for the first time in 40 years, according to A1 GP chief operating officer David Clare.

The second season of the A1 GP series – an open-wheeler championship run in Formula One's off-season – is expected to feature 13 races, in 12 countries, including two in China.

In last year's series, one team from each of 25 countries competed for more than $NZ1.44 million prize money per race, with drivers in identical Lola-designed cars powered by 3.4 litre V8 engines.

New Zealand's entry – promoted as Black Beauty and driven by Matt Halliday – finished last year's inaugural series in fourth place, behind France, Switzerland, and Great Britain.

Mr Clare told the Pitpass motor racing website that New Zealanders had been left out of single-seater racing for too long "despite having given us (Chris) Amon, (Denny) Hulme, and (Bruce) McLaren".

"If all goes to plan, 2007 will kick off with the Black Beauty aiming to win on home soil at Taupo," he said.
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The Taupo motor racing track was officially opened on March 19 in a new $12.5 million motorsport park developed by private company, MIT Development Ltd.

The re-constructed 3.6km track incorporates the former 1.4km Taupo Car Club track, and has an 830m long main straight that doubles as a drag strip.

"There hasn't been a major (single-seater) race out there since the Tasman Series, and that's 40 years ago" Mr Clare said.

"They really love open wheel single-seater racing," he said. "The V8s do quite well there, but their culture is open-wheel racing".

Though the Taupo venue was still subject to final agreement, it already had a Grade 2 licence for its track, and would have a pit complex finished within three months.

Mr Clare said the siting of the track, equidistant between Auckland and Wellington, and in a major tourist area was a great opportunity.

"We've had tremendous support in New Zealand. . . and the link-up with Australia gets 2007 off to a great start".

The series will start in the Netherlands on October 1, with the sixth race scheduled for Taupo on January 21, two weeks before the Sydney race on February 4. The series is due to finish at Brands Hatch in England on April 29.

The series comes 40 years after the heyday of NZ single-seater racing, Chris Amon's historic win, with the late Bruce McLaren, in the 1966 Le Mans 24 Hours, with Denny Hulme sharing the second-placed car in that year's Le Mans which was totally dominated by the factory Ford GT40 team.
'

By looking at the a1gp website

it looks it will be the 21st of January, First race after the stop for xmas/ new years.

I know i will be going to this event. but be interesting to see how the stop people watching from the side of the road, due to how the track is placed. (unless that part of road is closed for the event) Also be interesting to see how they arrive, since the previous race is 17th December in dubai, will they be moved via sea to NZ. (might even come thru my work)

**marty** · 6th July 2006, 10:19

a good turnout to this will add much weight to the Moto GP that has been touted. I know I'll be there

**SimJen** · 6th July 2006, 10:39

Motogp thats what Im talking about

**Cajun** · 6th July 2006, 10:41

this isn't motogp this is a1 gp this is single seater cars.

**James Deuce** · 6th July 2006, 10:42

We know Cajun. Stop smoking that shit!

If we want MotoGP we should go to this.

**kiwifruit** · 6th July 2006, 10:57

the track will be looking alot faster after the upgrades in november, bring on the motogp! (and the A1 gp)

**sAsLEX** · 6th July 2006, 11:02

Originally Posted by kiwifruit

the track will be looking alot faster

They tinting/lowering and addings mags to it?

**kiwifruit** · 6th July 2006, 11:05

Originally Posted by sAsLEX

They tinting/lowering and addings mags to it?

Mags, spoiler kit, tints and all that....
hopefully some performance mods too

**Zukin** · 6th July 2006, 11:48

This is fantastic news!! Good work to Taupo
Not only for motor racing but for the MotoGP too
They will be watching this event very closely to see if its viable and possible to hold a round of the MotoGP there too

So go and support it as much as you can!
It will go along way into securing the MotoGP

**Two Smoker** · 6th July 2006, 12:15

I ould go... if i want racing in the south island... But all you others should go!!!

**vtec** · 6th July 2006, 16:40

Yeah just noticed on the NZHondas website. Here's a link to the calender: http://www.a1gp.com/news/index.php?f...d=1&newsid=326

Note we get the ** for "venue subject to agreement"... but the fact that we are on there bodes extremely well. I'll be going if tickets are affordable.

**Biohazard** · 6th July 2006, 16:45

Just heard on the News that infact Taupo hasn't got A1 in January 07, not sure wtf is going on now tbh.

**Cajun** · 6th July 2006, 16:49

not heard anything like that

only other news was some news from taupo

'Taupo keen to host A1 series
06 July 2006

Taupo can stage a round of the A1 Grand Prix motor racing series in January 2007 if it gets a confirmation of the date from the organisers over the next week.

Taupo Motorsport Park chief executive Mike Bingham said the only hold up was the date, which would be needed soon so work on the track could be completed before the October deadline.

He said it would take between four- and six-weeks to complete the track at the venue and it could be done before the end of October.

"The whole thing is still up in the air at the present time," Bingham said responding the date speculated for the New Zealand round of the series on January 21, 2007.

"There are dates that are being tossed around. There is a couple of websites that published overnight a January 21 (2007) date for it, but it's subject to a number of things falling into place.

"We're sitting on the edge of our seats waiting for feedback from the A1 GP people on it, but it's certainly not a done deal at present.

"There is still a little bit of work to be done but it's all doable.

"The issue really is that until we get a confirmation that they want to come, we can sort of schedule it (work) on a sliding scale you might say.

"But I suppose the track itself is probably a month's work, maybe six weeks' work involved and it would need to be completed by the end of this October."

Bingham said it was a requirement that after completion, the track be left to "weather" for a period before a major race was staged on it.

"On top of that it has to be inspected by the FIA (Federation Internationale De L'Automobile) authority to make sure it complies with all the requirements."

Bingham said his organisation was pursuing the race and the sooner it got a major event at the venue the better for the sport long-term.
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"We dearly want this. There is a great deal hinging on these sorts of events," he said.

He said the Government's $2 million funding promised last month depended on the venue hosting a major event within 12 months.

The $13m track and business park has received funding from the Taupo District Council and a group of private investors as well.

The government funding will primarily be used to build a pit lane complex, media and corporate facilities.

The A1 series started last year.

New Zealand's entry - promoted as Black Beauty and driven by Matt Halliday - finished the inaugural series in fourth place, behind France, Switzerland, and Great Britain.

A1 GP chief operating officer David Clare said New Zealanders had been left out of single-seater racing for too long "despite having given us (Chris) Amon, (Denny) Hulme, and (Bruce) McLaren".

"If all goes to plan, 2007 will kick off with the Black Beauty aiming to win on home soil at Taupo," he told a motorsport website. '