A1 Racing

[1CEMAN]

Well lads thats the start of the new A1 Racing season!

Just thought I would post a new topic to see what you think of it all and see if you think it is going to put any pressure on Formula 1?

In my eyes I don't really think so, I thought some of it was quite spectacular but did'nt really live up to the F1 standards!

Quite into the little engine boost they have but again did'nt show much on the TV!

[Adie]

Not got sky

Who won?

[1CEMAN]

The Brazillian driver Nelson Piquet junior.GBR ended up in first place after the pit stops but had to retire when the engine cut out.

Worth watching the highlights i'm sure they will come on normal TV some great crashes

[Parthiban]

What exactly do they have to provide the extra boost?

[waddy]

I was at Brands Hatch yesterday and thought it was absolutely excellent. A better system than F1 and especially better with the fact that the cars are identical. (All built by Lola)

The boost is provided by a twin map ECU (friend of mine is the wind tunnel guy at Lola) He said that they have a button on the steering whell which gives a maximum of 10 seconds per time of 'boost' (an extra 30bhp on top of the 550bhp they run as standard) They can use the button up to 4 times in the sprint race and 8 times in the feature race. If they press the button for only 5 seconds though on one go, that is a 'usage'. I.e. they don't get an overall boost aggregate of 80 seconds for the feature race, they can only use it for a max of 10 seconds per time.

The sprint race was a little dull but the feature race was a lot better. Lots of overtaking, especially by our chap (Robbie Kerr). The pit stop was excellent, having sent him from 3rd to 1st position. The failure of the Battery though meant he had to retire early. (The cars have a very complicated electrical system).

The cars themselves are all held at silverstone in sealed and stamped containers. whenever a team works on a car they are supervised by an official A1GP rep who holds the keys to the container. The only thing the teams can change are gear ratios, downforce and suspenison settings. Very close racing indeed.

I think it will really take off myself. F1 has got far too political and farcical with Mr 'Poison Dwarf' Eccleston and his cronies (just my opinion). I used to be an avid F1 fan but have lost all interest over the past 3 years.

It is great to see nation racing against nation for the glory of their country's.

I could talk all day about the way the series is set up and managed and all about the way the teams are franchised and run......................but don't want to bore you all.

The only reason I know as much as I do is because of my friend at Lola. It is very interesting though.

[star a]

I was at Brands Hatch yesterday and thought it was absolutely excellent.  A better system than F1 and especially better with the fact that the cars are identical. (All built by Lola)

The boost is provided by a twin map ECU (friend of mine is the wind tunnel guy at Lola) He said that they have a button on the steering whell which gives a maximum of 10 seconds per time of 'boost' (an extra 30bhp on top of the 550bhp they run as standard) They can use the button up to 4 times in the sprint race and 8 times in the feature race. If they press the button for only 5 seconds though on one go, that is a 'usage'. I.e. they don't get an overall boost aggregate of 80 seconds for the feature race, they can only use it for a max of 10 seconds per time.

The sprint race was a little dull but the feature race was a lot better. Lots of overtaking, especially by our chap (Robbie Kerr). The pit stop was excellent, having sent him from 3rd to 1st position. The failure of the battery though meant he had to retire early. (The cars have a very complicated electrical system).

The cars themselves are all held at silverstone in sealed and stamped containers. whenever a team works on a car they are supervised by an official A1GP rep who holds the keys to the container. The only thing the teams can change are gear ratios, downforce and suspenison settings. Very close racing indeed.

I think it will really take off myself. F1 has got far too political and farcical with Mr 'Poison Dwarf' Eccleston and his cronies (just my opinion). I used to be an avid F1 fan but have lost all interest over the past 3 years.

It is great to see nation racing against nation for the glory of their country's.

I could talk all day about the way the series is set up and managed and all about the way the teams are franchised and run......................but don't want to bore you all.

The only reason I know as much as I do is because of my friend at Lola. It is very interesting though.

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totally agree, much more 'watchable' than f1, looking forward to the rest of the season

[jasons]

Looking forward to it!

Will put everyone on a 'level' playing field.

I like the idea that its purely down to skill, and not how much money can be thrown at a team!

[SexyLexy01]

I think it's a great idea - beats F1 hands down at the minute (I haven't watched F1 for about 4 years now - got bored with the 'procession' that it became). Love the idea of racing for your country, that all the cars are basically the same etc. I really hope it catches on.

And me a mere girly.....................

SL01 xx

[waddy]

and not how much money can be thrown at a team!

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Each team is effectively a franchise. The pit crew, drivers and engineers must be of that country's origin. Each franchise is valued according to the skill of the nation, i.e. the GB, Brazilian and German teams will cost a lot to 'buy' for a season becasue they should have the expertise and knowledge.

The Indian, Lebanese and Pakistani teams will cost less to buy because they have less knowledge.

Equally, the teams have set and capped budgets, the GB team has a smaller development budget than the Indian team, so they can effectively have more wind tunnel or suspension testing time than the teams who should have more knowledge.

So the entire event is on a level playing field, it's not only the cars.

Pure bloody genius if you ask me.

Sheikh Maktum is a clever (and very wealthy) man.

Looking forward to the next round in Germany.

Even thinking of going out there for it

[chips229]

Shame its only on Sky and we havent got it,did watch one of the races down at the pub but with no sound

[1CEMAN]

I know its quite crap if you don't have Sky, really suprised it wasn'nt on normal TV for all you analogue peeps.

Looks like someone knows there stuff!!!

Can't wait for when they race in the dark at Barhain that should be fun!!!!! But really cant imagine a one seater car with Rally style lights on the front :D

Atleast it will be something good to watch during the festive season whilst there is no F1..