Motorsport: NZ gets chance to see A1GP in action

Matt Halliday of New Zealand in action. Andrew Wong / Getty Images

If Taupo stages a successful round of the A1GP World Cup in January, the venue is likely to earn a regular spot on the schedule of the world's most innovative motorsport championship.

As expected, the Taupo round on January 21 got the green light yesterday at a function in Auckland attended by Prime Minister Helen Clark, the Minister of Sport, Trevor Mallard, the president of Motorsport New Zealand, Steven Kennedy, and the chief operating officer of A1GP, David Clare.

"New Zealand always punches above its weight on the world stage and the team's performance in finishing fourth in the inaugural championship simply highlighted the Kiwi team's talent and professionalism," said Clare. "We'd like to be back in New Zealand on a regular basis."

The Government kicked in $2 million to prepare the venue for an event that both the Prime Minister and Mallard said would have economic benefits for New Zealand because the 25 teams representing their countries generated worldwide interest. The series had an average live television audience of 7.7 million for each round across 37 networks in 120 countries.

For the New Zealand franchise holder, Aucklander Colin Giltrap, the Taupo round is a dream come true - a year ahead of the schedule he had envisaged.

He had a close association with some of the greats of New Zealand motorsport, including world Formula One champion Denny Hulme, and he intends to give another generation of Kiwi drivers the chance to advance to the top of the sport.

As part of that progression he has arranged for the NZ team to transfer the preparation of their car from West Surrey Racing to Super Nova International, an organisation that also runs a car in the GP2 championship, a feeder series for Formula One.

Giltrap said there was no dissatisfaction with West Surrey but Super Nova was prepared to give New Zealand A1GP drivers a chance at the GP2 level. The single-seater Lola cars in the A1GP are strictly controlled but race preparation can be vital.

Matt Halliday shared the driving with Jonny Reid in the inaugural season and they are both expected to drive again with Halliday at the wheel for the first round at Zandvoort in Holland on October 1.

Also in the frame is former Hamilton karter Chris Van Der Drift, who is leading a Formula Renault championship in Europe, and Scott Dixon, if he can be prised from his American team owner for a couple of races.

Taupo has already begun the work needed to meet A1GP requirements and managing director David Steele is confident everything will be ready in time. The track upgrade on the link between the old and new circuits is in hand and the pit garages and control tower are being built.

For the big meeting a crowd of 40,000 can be accommodated, with stands for 20,000.

As well as two A1GP races, they will be able to see all six main local classes in support races as Motorsport New Zealand has rearranged its summer schedule to move the Teretonga and Timaru rounds of the championship from January to March.

Where and when

Oct 1: Zandvoort, The Netherlands
Oct 8: Brno, Czech Republic
Nov 5: Beijing, China
Nov 26: Sepang, Malaysia
Dec 16: Dubai, UAE
Jan 21: Taupo, New Zealand
Feb 4: TBC
Feb 25: Durban, South Africa
Mar 11: South/North America
Mar 25: Mexico
Apr 8: Indonesia
Apr 15: Shanghai, China
Apr 29: Brands Hatch, England