Full Throttle

According to an online report the upcoming Taupo, NZ round of the A1GP series is in doubt. (translated version here.)

The claim is made the field of cars is still sitting in Malaysia site of the last round of the series. According to a “reliable source” there is a dispute over ‘payment’ with the carriers contracted to transport series equipment to New Zealand.

A secondary report from GPGrid suggests the difficulties are not contracted transport service but an “injunction to stop the transportation of the cars.”

Obviously it remains to be seen the final outcome to either report, but will suggest this: The motorsport-total.com sire was spot on when they first reported early season problems that resulted in events being canceled.

Call this… to be determined.

UPDATE: No further info is available on this story, however there is confirmation of another event cancellation. A1GP World Cup of Motorsport has been forced to cancel round five, which was due to take place on 6-8 February 2009 at Lippo Village, Indonesia.

This follows notification this morning from the FIA that certain aspects of the track construction project, undertaken by the local promoter and organizers of the event, have failed to meet the requisite completion deadlines. As a result, the FIA is not able to issue the necessary circuit license on time for the event to proceed, and has removed the event entry from its International Series calendar.

“Obviously it is extremely disappointing for all concerned and not the news any of us wanted. The bottom line is, for safety reasons, A1GP cannot race on a circuit that does not meet or has not received the necessary licence from the FIA, so we have no other option but to cancel all plans to bring the A1GP show to Indonesia in three weeks’ time,” said A1GP CEO, Pete da Silva.

RELATED: The date for the Mexico City round has been shifted back one week due to a Radiohead concert.

Pete da Silva, CEO for A1GP, commented, “It is unfortunate we have had to move back A1GP Mexico City by one week, but this is necessary because of a clashing event at the track that incorporates a baseball stadium that doubles up as a concert venue. We are delighted it is still possible to race in Mexico City as this has always proved to be a popular and exciting race weekend for our fans.”