Motorsport: Small country but big A1 ideas

Ben Devlin, of Britain, demonstrates the new A1 Grand Prix car. Picture / A1GP

New Zealand may be the smallest country involved in what has been dubbed the motor-racing world cup, but the team behind the entry are determined to win.

"It's a true world cup. The best driver of the best-prepared team will win," said team manager Bob McMurray yesterday at the launch of A1 Team NZL in Auckland.

"We're not going into this to make up the numbers. We're only interested in winning."

The A1 Grand Prix series, announced 16 months ago and backed by a member of the ruling family of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum al Maktoum, will feature 25 identical cars in national colours in 12 venues during the Formula One off-season.

The first race will be at Brands Hatch in England on September 25.

The New Zealand team took possession of their car this month and drivers Jonny Reid and Matt Halliday will have a test session at Silverstone next week.

Each team will have two cars, which they can set up to suit their drivers, but the basics of all the cars stay the same. Each round will have a 30-minute and a 60-minute race.

Countries will each race one car, but drivers can be changed between races. The New Zealand team have plans to use Scott Dixon and Greg Murphy, when they are available, on circuits they know.

So far 19 of the 25 franchises have been confirmed, including Brazil, Australia, Canada, China, Britain, India, Pakistan, the Netherlands, Mexico, South Africa and Portugal.

Footballer Ronaldo is backing the Brazilian bid and former Formula One driver Jos Verstappen will drive for the Netherlands.

Motor magnate Colin Giltrap has the New Zealand franchise. He has a home in London near Sheikh Maktoum and had to work hard to persuade him that New Zealand would be a worthy entrant.

"This isn't about which manufacturer has the best technology. It's about which country moulds the best team," he said.

"The South African team may be funded by diamond billionaires, but will money beat Kiwi ingenuity?"

Giltrap is keen for the series to have a New Zealand round when the Hampton Downs race circuit is finished south of Auckland.

The New Zealand cars are being prepared by West Surrey Racing, run by Kiwi Dick Bennetts.

The racing is designed to be everything Formula One no longer is. The carbonfibre bodies and aluminium chassis built by Lola have aerodynamic qualities aimed to promote close racing and overtaking.

The 3.4-litre V8 Zytec engines will develop 520bhp with a boost to 550bhp for short bursts. Electronic driver aids will be cut to a minimum.

Provisional A1 schedule

September 25, Brands Hatch
October 9, Lausitz, Germany
October 23, Estoril, Portugal
November 6, Eastern Creek, Sydney
November 20, Sepang, Malaysia
December 11, Dubai
January 15, Indonesia
January 29, Durban, South Africa
February 12, Monterrey, Mexico
February 26, San Antonio, Texas
March 12, Laguna Seca, California
March 26, Beijing