New Worldwide Racing System Adds Teams
An ambitious new global auto racing series unveiled Mexican and Brazilian teams as it displayed the A1 Grand Prix car for the first time in the Americas.
But the success of the venture might have less to do with the sleek open wheeler than with the mariachis blaring traditional music around it: The A1 Grand Prix is all about national pride.
Sheik Maktoum Hasher Maktoum, a member of Dubai’s ruling family and founder of the series, says he is building “the World Cup of motor sports,” a place where national teams battle for pride on an unusually even footing.
Twenty-five countries -- ranging from Lebanon to China to the United States -- will have one entry apiece, owned and driven by a local competitor and with local sponsors.
All of the cars will be the same: 550-horsepower Zytec-powered open wheelers that Maktoum has bought from Britain’s Lola Cars. Racing is supposed to start Sept. 25 at Brands Hatch, England, and finish in April.
“You can’t compare us to any other motor sports event on the planet,” he said in an interview before unveiling the Mexican car late Monday. “As far as I’m concerned, we’re going to be the biggest in terms of popularity, in terms of everything, viewership.”
Asked how long it would take to pass the global popularity of Formula One, he replied: “The first race.”
If that’s brash, there’s at least a logic to it: He thinks A1 will attract many fans with little racing to watch during the winter months. Even more new fans will be drawn by having a national team to root for, he said.
“We’re looking to have 30 percent motor sports, 70 percent new fans,” he said.
If patriotism lures fans, then sponsors in each country will have only one place to go; the national team will have a local monopoly.
Maktoum said Real Madrid soccer star Ronaldo was awarded the Brazilian team. Mexico’s team is held by two businessmen, Juan Cortina and Julio Jauregui.
Some of the teams have drawn enormous local interest due to the idea of their country competing on level ground with the world’s automotive powers.
In Pakistan, President Pervez Musharraf oversaw the announcement of that country’s team.
Nelson Mandela and President Theo Mbeki were on hand for South Africa’s announcement.
Maktoum said he has agreements nearly ready for all 25 teams and said the final grid should be public by the end of April.
“We pretty much are guaranteed to have Germany, France, Italy, Spain -- all the major European countries,” he said. “We have Africa covered, all the Middle East covered, Asia covered, Australia covered. We’re sold out already.”
The schedule, though, is still fuzzy beyond Brands Hatch. In Mexico’s case, Federico Alaman, the motor sports chief for promoter OCESA, said his company has started talks with the Mexican A1 team for a possible February date at the Hermanos Rodriguez road course in Mexico City.
The car itself is quite pretty for a racing vehicle -- including stylized air ducts, custom wheels and shark-like vents near the engine.
The cars’ horsepower is far below that of Formula One -- up to 900 horsepower -- or the 650 to 750 of Indy and Champ cars. The lower horsepower may keep less-experienced drivers from developing nations from being overwhelmed.
“The thing is, look at the aerodynamics. Look at the slick tires,” Maktoum said. “We have bigger tires than Formula One.”
Team managers and crew are exempt from the locals-only policy. Any country can hire the best managers and mechanics around. And teams will be given limited time to work on their cars.
Maktoum, 28, is the son of one of Dubai’s most prominent businessmen. But he said he doesn’t “need the family’s money on this.”
“So far, I’m doing it on my own,” he said. “My family has achieved a lot and I’m looking to prove myself and live up to the family standards.”
