Full Throttle

Next week’s Gold Coast Super GP has lost its showcase event, with red-faced organizers confirming this afternoon the A1GP race has been scrapped.

Heads may roll after the troubled A1GP Series was officially scratched from next weekend’s Gold Coast SuperGP event, prompting the threat of legal action from the Queensland government.

The popular V8 Supercars will fill the void at the October 22-25 event, running four 150km events on the tourist strip instead of the planned two 200km races - making it the biggest touring car event outside Bathurst in terms of kilometers covered.

Queensland Sports Minister Phil Reeves ended months of speculation about the troubled open wheeler category on Saturday when he announced that A1GP organizers had confirmed they would not arrive on the tourist strip from London in time for the October 22-25 event.

The Gold Coast organizers subsequently terminated the agreement with the A1GPs for their failure to fulfil contractual obligations.

The state government - which pumps almost $12 million into the Gold Coast event - will now “pursue legal avenues” to get back the $1.8 million they have paid A1GP chairman Tony Teixeira.

“We have been badly let down by A1GP,” Mr Reeves said at a press conference on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

But others may pay a price for the embarrassing no-show after event chairman Terry Mackenroth and general manager Greg Hooton said they would reassess their positions after next weekend’s event.

Hooton and Mackenroth not only oversaw the deal with the A1GPs but also the sponsorship deal with local sports drink manufacturers Nitro which subsequently fell over.

“I think A1GP’s reputation has been absolutely shattered,” said Hooton.

(Psst, that should read re-shattered, hacing a shattered reputation is an annual event now - ed)

“I actually believe the series is probably not going to race this year.

“I’m disappointed, angry, upset and let down. It was all those emotions, but we have to move on.”

The A1GPs were slotted into the Gold Coast program for the first time this year following the Indy series’ decision to scrap their Australian leg.

But fans still consider the V8 Supercars the headliners on the street circuit.

V8 Supercars boss Tony Cochrane said at the Gold Coast that the program would now feature four 150km events - two on Saturday and two on Sunday.

Racing a total of 600km instead of 400km would require teams to dramatically change their car set-up just days before the event.

Cochrane said each race would be for championship points.

A 20-minute qualifying shootout on Sunday for that day’s two races will also be added to the schedule.

While it was unclear how the change would affect corporate bookings and ticket sales, Hooton said refunds would be available.

“We certainly felt it was the right thing to do and as a show of goodwill,” Hooton said.

“They (A1GPs) have let down a lot of people. They’ve let down the Queensland government.

“They need to have a good, hard look at themselves.”

A1GP Chairman, Tony “Motorsports Drama Queen” Teixeira official statement follows:

“I want to personally apologize to the people affected by this regrettable but unavoidable decision,” said Teixeira.

“The Queensland Government, Gold Coast Motor Events Co, the management and Chairman of the event have been patient and supportive of us in the past weeks.

One effect of the UK operating arm of the series going into liquidation in June was that access to the cars and the ability to pay its suppliers has been impeded. What should have been a summer upgrading the machinery in time for the first race of the 2009/10 season has turned into a frustrating time for achieving this.”

Looking to the future Teixeira said: “We have recently announced 19 teams who were ready to race in Australia. I know they are still committed to racing in our unique series that pits nation versus nation.

“A1GP may be down, but I do not accept we are out. We have had four exciting seasons that have proved we are a force in the sport and now we shall consolidate on what we have achieved to date. My efforts will be on finding a way forward with the support of some very loyal people.”

Allegedly, supposedly, maybe - and the Earth stops rotating - the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport calendar will get underway on November 15th at Zhuhai International Circuit. The Series returns to Zhuhai for the first time since 2007 when a reported 60,000 people attended.