Full Throttle

First impressions are always a rocky road to traverse. The bluster and hype surrounding a new racing series makes it hard to separate fact from fiction. Example, former F1 driver and current owner of the Brands Hatch circuit - site of the inaugural A1 GP event - blustered, a warning to the bosses “of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone that A1 will overtake them as the biggest event in the nation’s motor sport calendar.”

Pure bluster, discounting Bernie’s boys going into full self destruct mode and the loss of Silverstone as an F1 venue. (Which could happen at any time) A1GP in the long run should be a success - their financial people are giving a three year window to turn a profit - I don’t see it as a threat to F1.

Selecting Brands Hatch for the opening round was a brilliant choice on two counts. First it was an F1 weekend so thoughts among fans were already tuned into racing. Because the F1 event was in Brazil and A1GP in the UK with an approx. 12 hour time difference a fan could easily take in both events.

Secondly Brands Hatch is one of the most picturesque circuits in the world. It makes for great TV images. I should insert here I’m not an unbiased observer. I have access to Star Sports channel that carries many of the events at Brands Hatch so I’ve learned to love the place. My two favorite events are the [avatar:http://cranialcavity.net/files/caterham.jpg] Caterham Series[/avatar] and the Thoroughbred Grand Prix. With the tracks off camber turns, steep hills and tree lined straights it’s been a favorite of many drivers for decades.

There seemed to be conflicting reports as to the size of the crowd. In my race report I gave a figure of 80,000. Later reports have said that figure was for the two day event, not just Sunday’s two races. Either way considering it’s a new untested formula and gas is [avatar:http://cranialcavity.net/files/born.jpg]about twice, or more[/avatar] than it is in the US it was respectable showing.

As for the race itself, the first 18 lap sprint was far from prior billing. Nelson Piquet Jr. ran a hid from the field and passing was nearly non-existent. America’s entry with Scott Speed at the wheel had a frustrating day. After starting 17th and working into the top five he was caught in someone else’s mess and failed to finish.

The second 38 lap event provided much more action with New Zealand