Anil Kapoor to bring A1 Grand Prix racing in India!!!

[Gordon]

By: Sarita Tanwar

Anil Kapoor has been quietly planning India’s entry into the A1 Grand Prix for the last one year, along with His Highness Sheikh Makhtoum Hasher Makhtoum Al Makhtoum, a member of the ruling family of Dubai, who is also the CEO and founder of the A1 Grand Prix.

The actor, presently shooting in South Africa, said, “I found the endeavour very exciting and wanted to take it up. I was planning to announce this in a big way in July. This is a nationalistic venture rather than a commercial one. I have gone into this with the blessings of Mr Sunil Dutt. When I went to him with the idea, he was very supportive, and happy that I was associating myself with a sporting event. We were interacting regularly before he passed away.”

Racing to be as popular as cricket

Unlike Formula 1, which is a competition between car manufacturing companies, this racing event will be a platform for countries to compete with each other. Over 20 countries will hold seats in the event, with the Indian seat being bought by Anil Kapoor and partner Atul Gupta, Managing Director of Sahara Computers.

Speaking about the possibility of the event not catching on, Kapoor said, “I agree that right now racing is not as popular as cricket in our country, but in 2-3 years’ time, I think it will catch on.”

Nimbus will be looking after the marketing and the sponsorship of the event, while Wizcraft will be doing the events.

Stars up the glamour ante

Kapoor represented India at the launch of Team China in Shanghai last month. “Lots of sports giants and celebrities from all around the world will be promoting this event,” the actor elaborated.

In fact, Brazil and Real Madrid giant Ronaldo bought the franchise for the Brazilian A1 racing team after the Portuguese rights were bought by his Real Madrid teammate Luis Figo.

Sponsorships to come from locals

“We have approached both private and public sector enterprises for local sponsorship. But we are still in the process of finalising the terms,” said Gary Naidoo, GM, marketing, A1 Team India.

Team India’s next challenge will be to host one of the A1 races in India; and with an international standard track in place, India’s chances of hosting a Formula 1 race can only be enhanced.

The series (to take place between September and April) will be run as the winter break alternative to the thrilling Formula 1 series. The inaugural race will take place at the Brands-Hatch circuit in Kent, and later races in Bahrain, Dubai, Australia, China and Japan among other venues.

Mid-Day Article
http://ww1.mid-day.com/hitlist/2005/june/112034.htm

[Gordon]

Here is a pic featured in today's Mid-Day HitList:

[Azzkikr]

hey ! thats great news guys...and of all the people Anil Kapoor..welll atleast somebody thought of that...if this happens it should be nice to be able to see some real racing action...amen to that ! Eh ! GUYS !

[Psycho]

Amen ... Looking for sponsor's for an A1 team

[Badcheetah]

Thank God ... now lets see if Karun can win the race ... i think he is the one who has been selected to drive for team India ...

[Rtech]

Karun can win the race

That's an oxymoron right there!! LOL

[Psycho]

Well let us leave the jokes out this one what if one seriously consider's running a A1 team it sounds as a great launch pad to young talent in India...


however costs??? still havent been provided on the website and the only task that Anil Kapoor would end up doing would be running an A1 Team India..

The specs of the cars given on the A1 website clearly shows that we have no Track in India to be able to manage that kinda power...

Rtech request you to help dig for more info on this one if you can...

[Gordon]

WOW! Imagine Anil Kapoor sitting in the pit reading the monitors just like other Team owners/prinicpals. Seems odd, but I'm sure he'll love it and it'll be a complete boost to racing.

[gr8guzzler]

Originally Posted by Psycho

The specs of the cars given on the A1 website clearly shows that we have no Track in India to be able to manage that kinda power...

Psycho..there is no track in India right now which can host this series...and India is not a venue this year...

[turbo_lover]

i didnt quite like the Race format - bonus points for setting the fastest lap ?

and a 15 -20 minute sprint to decide the starting grid ...
the raceitself is under one hour ... the engine is sealed too ..

one manufacturer supplies engines to all the teams ...
we should be allowed to come up with our own engines .. under the given specs ..
does any one know whose the engine manufacturer for A1 teams ?

[Dippy]

Can any one of you guys give the link to the A1 racing site? Just wanted to fill in myself with the info about the racing series

Dippy

[Gordon]

Official Site: A1 Grand Prix

[gr8guzzler]

Originally Posted by turbo_lover

does any one know whose the engine manufacturer for A1 teams ?

ZYTEK is the supplier.

ZYTEK TO SUPPLY BESPOKE V8 ENGINES FOR THE NEW A1 GRAND PRIX SERIES

Motorsport specialist Zytek Engineering has received its largest ever single order for racing engines with the announcement that it is to manufacture a new bespoke V8 engine, which will power all the cars in the new A1 Grand Prix series. The deal to supply the 520bhp engines was signed at the beginning of the month between Zytek and His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Al Maktoum, President and CEO of A1 Grand Prix.

The ZA1348 will be a new engine specifically designed and manufactured for use in the series. In developing the engine, Zytek has combined the application of state-of-the-art analysis tools with practical experience gained over many years of race engine design and development. Since 1996, Zytek engines have run for over 1.5million miles in the Formula 3000 one-make race series.

Notes:
A1 Grand Prix Engine Specification

Engine Type: ZA1348
Configuration: 90 degree V8
Displacement: 3400cc
Width: 618mm
Height: 542mm
Length: 443mm
Weight: 121kg
Cylinder Block: Sand Cast Aluminium Alloy
Cylinder Head: Sand Cast Aluminium Alloy
Valve Train: 4 Overhead Camshafts 2 per bank
4 Valves per Cylinder
Engine Management: Zytek EMS 4.6.1
Ignition: Zytek DCDI with coil over plug
Spark Plugs: NGK
Fuel: 100 Octane Racing
Max Torque: 330lbs ft - 442Nm
Max Power: 520 bhp - 390kW

[X-Machine]

Its a very good move by Anil.India needs these kind of motorsport events to encourage teenagers.Finally,they will look beyond cricket......

X

[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by turbo_lover

one manufacturer supplies engines to all the teams ...
we should be allowed to come up with our own engines .. under the given specs ..

How then will it be different from F1, where the team's budget decides which car is faster? Will you EVER see a Minardi or a Jordan winning a race, regardless of how good their drivers are?

We have also seen what happens when different components come from different manufacturers - the one with the most teams can even hold the entire race or series to ransom as was done in Indy recently.

This series is fair to all drivers - they all have the same advantage or disadvantage. The teams represent different nations, giving it a much wider appeal and bringing national pride into the competitive equation...

We had to wait years to get an Indian driver into a substandard F1 team, and pay through the nose to get that one seat which is guaranteed never to win. With A1, we can have an 'Indian' team competing on equal terms without having to hang around in the sidelines listening to all kinds of rot from a Team which makes you feel like they are doing you a favour after you pay them millions of dollars for the seat...