A1 - Grand Prix!!!

varun_patra · 31st July 2005, 00:57

The launch of the A1GP car of TEAM-INDIA in delhi ! the car will be driven from india gate to rashtrapati bhavan!! and i guess the luky 1s will b either Karun Chandok or Armaan Ebrahim. these two have been proposed as the drivers for team india!!!

varun_patra · 31st July 2005, 01:03

THE FINAL Indian driver line-up for the inaugural A1 Grand Prix, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)-approved international racing series, will be announced next month.

The three drivers presently competing in international championships include Armaan Ebrahim, Karun Chandhok and Imran Hussein. Although the line-up will be announced on August 20, things have already started to fall in place with the appointment of Team Manager Akbar Ebrahim.

Ebrahim, a well-known name in motor-sport coaching, said the focus currently was on recruiting technical staff for the team. “Presently, the A1 team India is in the process of appointing staff for the technical team which will handle the testing and racing side of the A1 GP,” Ebrahim said

varun_patra · 31st July 2005, 01:10

Imraan hussien races for a team in the JUNIOR INFINITY RACING LEAGUE (USA) !!!

Mpower · 1st August 2005, 23:01

Source: http://in.sports.yahoo.com/050730/43/5zjfr.html
New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) Karun Chandok and Armaan Ebrahim were Saturday named the drivers to pilot Team India at the A1 Grand Prix (GP).

"Being the world's largest democracy with over one billion people means the A1 GP series just had to have India as one of the participating teams," Sheikh Maktoum, founding president of the racing series, told reporters here.

While the drivers will head to the Paul Ricard circuit in the south of France for the official test in the last week of August, the series will kick off September 25 in Brands Hatch, England.

The inaugural year will see 25 countries participating in 12 races from September to March, traditionally an off-season for racing.

Dubbed the "World Cup of Motorsports", it will pit one country against another with owners, management, crew, drivers and sponsors all from the same nation.

Four Asian teams - China, India, Malaysia and Pakistan - will feature in the series.

"Indian corporate houses can also promote their businesses, skills and technology by sponsoring the national team," Maktoum said.

Unlike Formula 1, all teams participating in the series will have identical cars, supplied by the series management, to promote exciting racing.

While the cars will be leased out to the franchisee owners - in Team India's case Sahara Computers and Electronics, a South Africa-based group owned by Atul Gupta - the A1 series will have absolute ownership rights.

"Our aim is to popularise motorsports in India," said Gupta, who is of Indian origin.

"A1 Team India will appoint its engineers and designers who are of Indian origin with experience of dealing Indians," team manager Akbar Ebrahim said.

"As the entire concept is of a 'country versus country' series, we take pride in appointing as many qualified Indians that we can have on board," he said.

varun_patra · 2nd August 2005, 00:00

07/31/2005 - Delhi, 31 July - A1 Grand Prix's unrelenting trail-blaze through the world of international motorsport continued today as Founder, President and Chairman Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum announced three major new signings for the FIA-approved motorsport series during the launch of A1Team India.

France, Switzerland and the USA will join the 16 other countries which have already announced their participation in the first ever World Cup of Motorsport. Jean Paul Driot, creator and owner of Driot Associates Motor Sport (DAMS) has been confirmed as Team Principal for A1 Team France while the franchise for the crucial American market has been secured by Communications tycoon, Rick Weidinger. A1 Team Switzerland has approached former Sauber Formula 1 and Porsche Motorsport Director, Max Welti, to head up their national side.

A1 Grand Prix's CEO, Tony Teixeira confirmed the involvement of the three new teams saying: 'The inclusion of France and Switzerland significantly increases A1 Grand Prix's European footprint providing traditional competition for the likes of A1 Teams from Great Britain and the Netherlands. Looking across the Atlantic, Mr Weidinger's support has presented a significant opportunity to develop A1 Grand Prix's profile in the influential American market. By giving American fans the opportunity to race against 24 other nations in 550bhp single seater cars with equalised tyres and technology, I am sure with an American entry into A1 Grand Prix, the Series will be backed by the patriotism of the American fans and will prove a major success in North America'.

Highlighting the global reach of A1 Grand Prix, Mr Teixeira spoke from Beijing while Sheikh Maktoum attended the launch of A1 Team India in Delhi. At yesterday's evening ceremony, Sheikh Maktoum spoke of the significance of including India in the first A1 Grand Prix season. 'India is the largest democracy on the planet with over 1 billion people, bringing A1 Grand Prix ever closer to its goal of representing 80 per cent of the world's population.

He continued: 'The world has witnessed India's passion for national sports through its zealous support of international cricket and squash, and now through A1 Grand Prix, the people of India have their first opportunity to be represented in the exclusive world of motorsport on a level playing field with the developed world. With the possibility of racing for their own national team, young Indian drivers now have the chance to compete on the international stage. Alongside this, Indian business can promote their skills and technology by sponsoring their national team, demonstrating India's formidable economic power on a global scale.'

Yesterday's ceremony formed part of a two-day programme during which, Sheikh Maktoum and Atul Gupta were welcomed by Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh at his New Delhi residence. Dr Singh expressed his enthusiasm and support for his country's first national motorsport team a sentiment that was echoed in the evening's speech by A1 Team India's national seat holder Mr Atul Gupta.

Mr Gupta said: 'We, as part of A1 Team India, are extremely delighted to contribute to the growth and development of the motorsport sector in India. Our aim is to position motorsport within Indian sport and generate national pride while doing so. A1 Team India aims to bring high level motor racing to the common man and through its proposed Training Academy will contribute towards the development and professional training of local drivers to compete on a world stage. We wish to showcase India's rich vein of motorsport driving talent that is abundant in the local Asian circuits. A1 Team India aims to fast track motorsport infrastructure giving India an equal opportunity to host the World Cup of Motorsport.'

A1 Team India's President, high profile Bollywood film star, Anil Kapoor went on to say: 'We are looking forward to the A1 series and this could very well be the next biggest sport since cricket. From my side, I am going to ensure that India is represented with a sense of optimism and eagerness. We want the world to see that India is both efficient and responsible in this endeavour.'

The launch of A1 Team India concluded today as the series witnessed another historic event when Sheikh Maktoum drove the A1 Grand Prix car through the streets of Delhi, the first time that a high-powered single seat race car has run in India. Decked in the orange, green and white of the Indian flag, External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh and Anil Kapoor flagged off the car as it left the imposing arch of India Gate heading up the Rajpath.

Copyright free photos from yesterday's press conference and launch ceremony and today's demonstration run can de downloaded free of charge at www.sutton-images.com/a1gp along with other press shots from the A1 Grand Prix series.

SOURCE :-www.a1gp.com

Badcheetah · 2nd August 2005, 14:57

Dear friends ,

I was present at the launch and the test drive of the car at Taj Palace Hotel & india gate respectively .

What a show , what a car . The best was when the sheikh said what would be told before the start of every race ..... "Gentle man drivers , for the pride of your nation , please start your engines now " .... wow , after standing up for the national anthem , getting to hear this , sent shivers down my spine .

More when the sheikh drove the car on india gate , i was touching the car when they cranked it up and i loved it . it was better than having s*x

what sound , what speed , what every thing ... man it was a sight

i am still in a state of bliss .. rest later ..
Cheetah Out ...............

turbo_lover · 2nd August 2005, 15:00

damn dude i so wanted to be there ..

i envy you man .. did you manage to get snaps of the car ? how does the race car look ?

varun_patra · 2nd August 2005, 17:17

I Guess There Is Also Gonna Be A Road Show In Mumbai And Other Metro's Too!! And Im Waiting For The A1gp Car To Come To Mumbai , Im Even Waiting For Nick Hiedfeld To Come To Mumbai The Same Time In The 1st Or 2nd Week Of August !!

31st July 2005, 00:57	#31
varun_patra BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: mumbai Posts: 469 Thanked: 5 Times	The launch of the A1GP car of TEAM-INDIA in delhi ! the car will be driven from india gate to rashtrapati bhavan!! and i guess the luky 1s will b either Karun Chandok or Armaan Ebrahim. these two have been proposed as the drivers for team india!!!
	() Thanks

31st July 2005, 01:03	#32
varun_patra BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: mumbai Posts: 469 Thanked: 5 Times	THE FINAL Indian driver line-up for the inaugural A1 Grand Prix, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)-approved international racing series, will be announced next month. The three drivers presently competing in international championships include Armaan Ebrahim, Karun Chandhok and Imran Hussein. Although the line-up will be announced on August 20, things have already started to fall in place with the appointment of Team Manager Akbar Ebrahim. Ebrahim, a well-known name in motor-sport coaching, said the focus currently was on recruiting technical staff for the team. “Presently, the A1 team India is in the process of appointing staff for the technical team which will handle the testing and racing side of the A1 GP,” Ebrahim said
	() Thanks

31st July 2005, 01:10	#33
varun_patra BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: mumbai Posts: 469 Thanked: 5 Times	Imraan hussien races for a team in the JUNIOR INFINITY RACING LEAGUE (USA) !!!
	() Thanks

1st August 2005, 23:01	#34
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,409 Thanked: 1,730 Times View My Garage	Karun and Armaan to drive for India in A1GP. Source: http://in.sports.yahoo.com/050730/43/5zjfr.html New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) Karun Chandok and Armaan Ebrahim were Saturday named the drivers to pilot Team India at the A1 Grand Prix (GP). "Being the world's largest democracy with over one billion people means the A1 GP series just had to have India as one of the participating teams," Sheikh Maktoum, founding president of the racing series, told reporters here. While the drivers will head to the Paul Ricard circuit in the south of France for the official test in the last week of August, the series will kick off September 25 in Brands Hatch, England. The inaugural year will see 25 countries participating in 12 races from September to March, traditionally an off-season for racing. Dubbed the "World Cup of Motorsports", it will pit one country against another with owners, management, crew, drivers and sponsors all from the same nation. Four Asian teams - China, India, Malaysia and Pakistan - will feature in the series. "Indian corporate houses can also promote their businesses, skills and technology by sponsoring the national team," Maktoum said. Unlike Formula 1, all teams participating in the series will have identical cars, supplied by the series management, to promote exciting racing. While the cars will be leased out to the franchisee owners - in Team India's case Sahara Computers and Electronics, a South Africa-based group owned by Atul Gupta - the A1 series will have absolute ownership rights. "Our aim is to popularise motorsports in India," said Gupta, who is of Indian origin. "A1 Team India will appoint its engineers and designers who are of Indian origin with experience of dealing Indians," team manager Akbar Ebrahim said. "As the entire concept is of a 'country versus country' series, we take pride in appointing as many qualified Indians that we can have on board," he said.
	() Thanks

2nd August 2005, 00:00	#35
varun_patra BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: mumbai Posts: 469 Thanked: 5 Times	07/31/2005 - Delhi, 31 July - A1 Grand Prix's unrelenting trail-blaze through the world of international motorsport continued today as Founder, President and Chairman Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum announced three major new signings for the FIA-approved motorsport series during the launch of A1Team India. France, Switzerland and the USA will join the 16 other countries which have already announced their participation in the first ever World Cup of Motorsport. Jean Paul Driot, creator and owner of Driot Associates Motor Sport (DAMS) has been confirmed as Team Principal for A1 Team France while the franchise for the crucial American market has been secured by Communications tycoon, Rick Weidinger. A1 Team Switzerland has approached former Sauber Formula 1 and Porsche Motorsport Director, Max Welti, to head up their national side. A1 Grand Prix's CEO, Tony Teixeira confirmed the involvement of the three new teams saying: 'The inclusion of France and Switzerland significantly increases A1 Grand Prix's European footprint providing traditional competition for the likes of A1 Teams from Great Britain and the Netherlands. Looking across the Atlantic, Mr Weidinger's support has presented a significant opportunity to develop A1 Grand Prix's profile in the influential American market. By giving American fans the opportunity to race against 24 other nations in 550bhp single seater cars with equalised tyres and technology, I am sure with an American entry into A1 Grand Prix, the Series will be backed by the patriotism of the American fans and will prove a major success in North America'. Highlighting the global reach of A1 Grand Prix, Mr Teixeira spoke from Beijing while Sheikh Maktoum attended the launch of A1 Team India in Delhi. At yesterday's evening ceremony, Sheikh Maktoum spoke of the significance of including India in the first A1 Grand Prix season. 'India is the largest democracy on the planet with over 1 billion people, bringing A1 Grand Prix ever closer to its goal of representing 80 per cent of the world's population. He continued: 'The world has witnessed India's passion for national sports through its zealous support of international cricket and squash, and now through A1 Grand Prix, the people of India have their first opportunity to be represented in the exclusive world of motorsport on a level playing field with the developed world. With the possibility of racing for their own national team, young Indian drivers now have the chance to compete on the international stage. Alongside this, Indian business can promote their skills and technology by sponsoring their national team, demonstrating India's formidable economic power on a global scale.' Yesterday's ceremony formed part of a two-day programme during which, Sheikh Maktoum and Atul Gupta were welcomed by Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh at his New Delhi residence. Dr Singh expressed his enthusiasm and support for his country's first national motorsport team a sentiment that was echoed in the evening's speech by A1 Team India's national seat holder Mr Atul Gupta. Mr Gupta said: 'We, as part of A1 Team India, are extremely delighted to contribute to the growth and development of the motorsport sector in India. Our aim is to position motorsport within Indian sport and generate national pride while doing so. A1 Team India aims to bring high level motor racing to the common man and through its proposed Training Academy will contribute towards the development and professional training of local drivers to compete on a world stage. We wish to showcase India's rich vein of motorsport driving talent that is abundant in the local Asian circuits. A1 Team India aims to fast track motorsport infrastructure giving India an equal opportunity to host the World Cup of Motorsport.' A1 Team India's President, high profile Bollywood film star, Anil Kapoor went on to say: 'We are looking forward to the A1 series and this could very well be the next biggest sport since cricket. From my side, I am going to ensure that India is represented with a sense of optimism and eagerness. We want the world to see that India is both efficient and responsible in this endeavour.' The launch of A1 Team India concluded today as the series witnessed another historic event when Sheikh Maktoum drove the A1 Grand Prix car through the streets of Delhi, the first time that a high-powered single seat race car has run in India. Decked in the orange, green and white of the Indian flag, External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh and Anil Kapoor flagged off the car as it left the imposing arch of India Gate heading up the Rajpath. Copyright free photos from yesterday's press conference and launch ceremony and today's demonstration run can de downloaded free of charge at www.sutton-images.com/a1gp along with other press shots from the A1 Grand Prix series. SOURCE :-www.a1gp.com
	() Thanks

2nd August 2005, 14:57	#36
Badcheetah BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 123 Thanked: 3 Times	A1 Gp India Car Launch ! Dear friends , I was present at the launch and the test drive of the car at Taj Palace Hotel & india gate respectively . What a show , what a car . The best was when the sheikh said what would be told before the start of every race ..... "Gentle man drivers , for the pride of your nation , please start your engines now " .... wow , after standing up for the national anthem , getting to hear this , sent shivers down my spine . More when the sheikh drove the car on india gate , i was touching the car when they cranked it up and i loved it . it was better than having s*x what sound , what speed , what every thing ... man it was a sight i am still in a state of bliss .. rest later .. Cheetah Out ...............
	() Thanks

2nd August 2005, 15:00	#37
turbo_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,377 Thanked: 9 Times	damn dude i so wanted to be there .. i envy you man .. did you manage to get snaps of the car ? how does the race car look ?
	() Thanks

2nd August 2005, 17:17	#38
varun_patra BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: mumbai Posts: 469 Thanked: 5 Times	I Guess There Is Also Gonna Be A Road Show In Mumbai And Other Metro's Too!! And Im Waiting For The A1gp Car To Come To Mumbai , Im Even Waiting For Nick Hiedfeld To Come To Mumbai The Same Time In The 1st Or 2nd Week Of August !!
	() Thanks