Full Throttle

A1GP World Cup of Motorsport has formally announced its calendar for its fifth season - which will kick off with the Nikon SuperGP on the Gold Coast over October 22-25.

The nine event season calendar, subject to FIA approval, includes four new events including the Gold Coast as well as races in Brazil, Germany and the Netherlands, and will return to China, South Africa, Portugal, Mexico and Malaysia.

Nikon SuperGP General Manager Greg Hooton welcomed the formal announcement of the calendar.

“I am very excited to see the nine event calendar released by Tony Teixeira and A1GP overnight, which as expected, sees our race — the Nikon SuperGP — as the opening act,” said Hooton.

“With just over four weeks to go until A1GP and the home-grown Aussie V8 Supercars hit the streets of Surfers Paradise, preparations are in full swing as the Gold Coast gears up for the 19th running of the event.”

A1GP Chairman Tony Teixeira echoed Hooton’s comments, confident that the calendar would bring plenty of exciting racing to the fans.

“It is easy to put out a calendar too soon and then have to make changes,” said Teixeira.

“I wanted to make sure we avoided that and so give our broadcasters, teams and fans something realistic. I also wanted to make sure the racing was good and varied.

“I am confident this calendar, that may still include at least one more event, will achieve our criteria for the Series.”

Also announced by A1GP was a long-term deal with IMG Sports Media to market its worldwide media rights for the next three seasons.

IMG, in partnership with the Queensland Government, are also the driving force behind the Nikon SuperGP.

The deal with IMG Sports Media will represent all media rights for the live events and highlights packages.

“I have always had a long wish list of deals we wanted to make our Series one of the most well known on the sporting calendar,” said Teixeira.

“A deal such as this was at the top of it, and to be associated with IMG Sports Media is just what we needed to ensure we have the best possible representation in this highly competitive market. The plans they have for us are exciting and innovative.”

IMG Sports Media Marketing Manager Adam Kelly, said the group was pleased to welcome A1GP into the IMG Sports Media portfolio.

“We are delighted to be representing A1GP within the IMG Sports Media portfolio,” said Kelly.

“IMG hope to bring the A1GP Powered by Ferrari cars, fans and viewers closer to the action of this truly global sport — a very attractive property for broadcasters worldwide.

“In such a challenging world of motorsport, IMG will utilise its experience in this field and unrivalled network of global contacts to bring A1GP to a wider audience than ever before.”

A1GP teams will get to shakedown their cars ahead of the 2009/10 season at Queensland Raceway on Monday, 19 October. A one-day test for all teams will take place at the 3.12-kilometre circuit located near Ipswich in Queensland, Australia.

The test will be the first time new generation A1GP cars powered by 4.5-litre V8 Ferrari engines have driven on Australian soil and will be the start of the build up to the racing action at Surfers Paradise later that week.