New Zealand A1 GP license

thejester · 4 Apr 2005, 04:35 (Ref:1269422)

To my surprise and joy

a Kiwi car salesman has purchased the NZ license for A1GP.

http://xtramsn.co.nz/sport/0,,12049-4244422,00.html

I think this series is going to be very exciting, and a good opportunity for smaller nations like ours.

Does anyone know if having a national seat guarantees/increases the chance of a race in that country?

Maybe I'm pusghing my luck.

flyingduck · 4 Apr 2005, 05:16 (Ref:1269431)

It can only help the chances jester

Kicking-back · 4 Apr 2005, 05:28 (Ref:1269433)

I imagine New Zealand may well get a race - as it's a "winter series" in European terms, a country which will be in summer then is an ideal venue.

mac · 4 Apr 2005, 05:31 (Ref:1269435)

But it's never summer in New Zealand!

thejester · 4 Apr 2005, 21:09 (Ref:1270236)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac

But it's never summer in New Zealand!

You're baiting me but I'll bite

Your profile doesn't say, but I smell aussie.

Slippy Diff · 4 Apr 2005, 21:13 (Ref:1270239)

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejester

Does anyone know if having a national seat guarantees/increases the chance of a race in that country?

Maybe I'm pusghing my luck.

I hate to say it, but where would they hold the race? At the moment I would suggest that none of our tracks are suitable.

thejester · 4 Apr 2005, 22:07 (Ref:1270287)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slippy Diff

I hate to say it, but where would they hold the race? At the moment I would suggest that none of our tracks are suitable.

I have to agree.

Maybe someone will be inspired to use the chance to upgrade somewhere. Manfeild?

I've never been a big Pukekohe fan, it's so basic.

Maybe Wellington streets?

Cedric · 5 Apr 2005, 03:14 (Ref:1270421)

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejester

I have to agree.

Maybe someone will be inspired to use the chance to upgrade somewhere. Manfeild?

I've never been a big Pukekohe fan, it's so basic.

Maybe Wellington streets?

It is worth noting that Colin Giltrap is also a major player in the new waikato Track at Hampton Downs, Mere Mere, maybe there is a Link??????? it is proposed to be a full FIA standard track.

Slippy Diff · 5 Apr 2005, 03:25 (Ref:1270428)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cedric

It is worth noting that Colin Giltrap is also a major player in the new waikato Track at Hampton Downs, Mere Mere, maybe there is a Link??????? it is proposed to be a full FIA standard track.

Hasn't that gone awfully quiet though?

Warwick · 6 Apr 2005, 06:50 (Ref:1271486)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slippy Diff

I hate to say it, but where would they hold the race? At the moment I would suggest that none of our tracks are suitable.

I would suggest Ruapuna as it is curently the best overall facility in the country and has been for some time

What criteria does the track have to meet to run this class?

**Stephen Green** · 18 Apr 2005, 10:55 (Ref:1281098)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warwick

I would suggest Ruapuna as it is curently the best overall facility in the country and has been for some time

What criteria does the track have to meet to run this class?

The circuit needs an FIA Grade 2 Licence.

Just Do It! · 19 Apr 2005, 19:40 (Ref:1282405)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

The circuit needs an FIA Grade 2 Licence.

I could be wrong, but I think Hampton Downs will be the only circuit in New Zealand that meets this requirement. Possibly Manfeild will comply, but I wouldn't say it was a certainty for them by any measure.

Hampton Downs surely leads the way in NZ

thejester · 2 May 2005, 00:25 (Ref:1291285)

OK, so Bob McMurray, who apparently made tea at McLaren for a few years

,
(does anyone know, out of interest what he actually did there?)
has been made GM for the New Zealand team.

A few points of interest he has brought up:

1. The rules require all sponsorship to be from companies based in the country holding the license. Being as there won't be testing or development, does this put teams like NZ at any sort of disadvantage to teams from the US or Europe?
As someone has said, it WILL likely gut the sponsorship market for local formulae.

2. There are hints we may have more than one, and likely quite a few drivers. I think this is a good idea in terms of raising the profile of the comp and the team in it's inaugural year in particular. E.G. having Scott Dixon drive the US legs will be a publicity coup. Hopefully as it's winter it won't clash with IRL. Having Greg Murphy drive in Australia might also be good for publicity, but for the race itself?? Has Murph got ANY open wheel experience? Wonder what Chris Amon is up to...

3. No hints as yet on livery. ANy ideas? Black with a silver fern I guess. A la TKR.

Cheers,
Tj

Warwick · 3 May 2005, 06:48 (Ref:1291774)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

The circuit needs an FIA Grade 2 Licence.

Currently no track in NZ is graded above FIA Grade 3, have they said Hampton downs will be a FIA Grade 2 track?

What are the requirements to get the FIA Grade 2?

thejester · 4 Apr 2005, 22:12 (Ref:1270290)

btw, livery?
No doubt we'll go for the black and white/fern angle.
I'd suggest mainly white or the thing'll cook!

NichosNZ · 7 Aug 2005, 07:59 (Ref:1374129)

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejester

btw, livery?
No doubt we'll go for the black and white/fern angle.
I'd suggest mainly white or the thing'll cook!

I wish that they hadn't, the silver fern on black thing is getting very boring. It was alright at first when only a couple of sports were using it but IMO it has gotten very diluted. Overkill even, Lost it's impact.

jezwold · 12 Aug 2005, 16:05 (Ref:1380785)

Quote:

Originally Posted by NichosNZ

I wish that they hadn't, the silver fern on black thing is getting very boring. It was alright at first when only a couple of sports were using it but IMO it has gotten very diluted. Overkill even, Lost it's impact.

I think the typical colour scheme will go well with the international audiences. Many people on this planet do not know where NZ actually is because we are so isolated.

Hmmm how cool would it be if we could get clear carbon fibre guards for the car!

Speaking of car graphics ... has anyone checked out the new Indy car that has been sponsored by New Zealands 42 Below Vodka?

Just Do It! · 6 Apr 2005, 09:26 (Ref:1271557)

Hi there all,

Firstly, this is a fantastic opportunity for New Zealand, but it is going to hurt the sponsorship market here for other motorsport immensely. The NZ A1GP franchise apparently cost NZ$7 million and there is some confusion as to whether any money has changed hands yet.
The cost of competing annually is apparently about NZ$10 million, so that's a fair drain on the sponsorship market here sadly. Dean Calvert, the ex-NZ IMG head who was gently rolled after the failed Auckland V8 Supercar street race debacle, has been hired to head the marketing and sponsorship drive that this venture will require.

Secondly, I am sure that Colin Giltrap would find it amusing that he is referred to as a Kiwi car salesman. I mean, well, he nearly controls the NZ new vehicle market and has his fingers in many brand pies. It's noted that he is worth NZ$280 million on last year's National Business Review Rich List - although some estimates place that at the far side of NZ$500 million in the true light of day.

I wasn't aware of Colin's involvement at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park apart from his ownership of one or two of the apartments there. I am confident that the circuit development funds have come from other sources

...... but I could be wrong.

Having said that, Hampton Downs would easily qualify for a round and that could be the link that was implied. It would be great to see. It is currently preparing for or may actually be seeking resource consent. I am pretty confident that that will happen, then we will all hear more

Drivers: Most likely candidate Johnny Reid

Slippy Diff · 7 Apr 2005, 00:21 (Ref:1272148)

Hampton Downs are currently going through the resource consent process I gather.

tanalised · 18 Apr 2005, 09:45 (Ref:1281023)

sorry, isn't Hampton Downs a bit far away from any major city for an international event

Slippy Diff · 18 Apr 2005, 20:42 (Ref:1281575)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanalised

sorry, isn't Hampton Downs a bit far away from any major city for an international event

No. Most of Auckland is within 1 to 1.5 hours drive, hamilton is the same. That is a huge catchment area.

tanalised · 2 May 2005, 00:45 (Ref:1291289)

I'm pretty sure Murph ran in Formula Atlantic about 10 or so years ago

Cedric · 2 May 2005, 00:50 (Ref:1291292)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanalised

I'm pretty sure Murph ran in Formula Atlantic about 10 or so years ago

1995: NZ Formula Holden Series winner

NZ Motor Cup winner

Pole position at the Sandown 500 (Holden Racing Team)

1994: 2nd place - Australian Formula Brabham Championship

NZ Gold Star Driver's Championship winner

NZ Grand Prix winner

NZ Formula Brabham Series winner

thejester · 4 May 2005, 02:53 (Ref:1292526)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cedric

1995: NZ Formula Holden Series winner

NZ Motor Cup winner

Pole position at the Sandown 500 (Holden Racing Team)

1994: 2nd place - Australian Formula Brabham Championship

NZ Gold Star Driver's Championship winner

NZ Grand Prix winner

NZ Formula Brabham Series winner

I had no idea!!

Give him the drive then.

We do ahve a proud history, as the press releases say, and I hope we can do justice and compete at the sharp end.

Thanks for the Bob info, McLaren's NZ website has yet to return my email.

jazz1627 · 28 Jun 2005, 23:20 (Ref:1342435)

look who hallidays, reids

and coulthard sponsors are include gaunt in that aswell

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