RobiNZ Personal Blog

Why I'm not at the A1 Grand Prix?

You’d think someone who’d trek across the Tasman to the Australian Grand Prix would drive a few hours down the road to the A1 Grand Prix at Taupo. You’d be wrong. For some reason A1 Grand Prix does nothing for me. I’m not knocking the efforts of the Kiwi Team or brilliant contribution from Colin Giltrap and sponsors. It’s just that the series doesn’t excite me.

It certainly doesn’t compare to Formula One. The ultimate expression of both series is “the race”. When you look at what happens on the track they are fairly comparable. A1GP has great drivers, close racing amongst the top teams and, thanks to the power boost, more potential for overtaking.

It’s what happens off the track which makes the difference. Equal cars means A1GP doesn’t have the same design or technology race. The series is also missing most of the glamour, sex, lies and politics which make Formula One so intriguing.

I’d travel around the world to see Formula One but have no real regrets about missing Taupo. A1 Grand Prix is like Formula One with half the Formula One missing.

A1GP ™ : The World Cup of Motorsport - www.a1gp.com/

A1Team.NZL - The official site of the New Zealand A1 GP Team

UPDATE 2008-01-21:Well done to Jonnny & the team

Taupo rev's up for A1GP World Cup of Motorsport ™ New Zealand

Huge weekend for New Zealand Motorsport as the A1Gp circus comes to Taupo. Unfortunately I won’t be there  so it’s to the tele & web to see what’s happening.

Taupo, New Zealand - A1GP World Cup of Motorsport ™
A1GP Series Website

A1 Team.NZL
Official website of A1 Team.NZL, New Zealand's team in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport

TV3 > Programmes > Sport > A1GP
Tune in to 3 Sports exclusive coverage of - the A1GP: Taupo, screening Sunday, January 21 on 3.

Taupo Motorsport Park Website
Taupo Motorsport Park is set to become New Zealand ’s premier motorsport venue…

Tags: taupo

Motorsport highs, lows & loss

It was a weekend of motorsport to remember and one to forget:

Ferrari faltered, probably lost a championship

Renault triumphed, probably won one.

Brock was honoured but Ford was the victor

Team Kiwi V8 shocker, Kiwi A1 fumbled,

And a family paid the ultimate price losing a Father, Husband, Son…

Sympathy goes to all who knew, loved & lost Mark Porter.

Motorsport is dangerous.

Tags: Mark+Porter

A1GP comes to Taupo, New Zealand in January 07

Great news for Taupo and New Zealand Motorsport. Great work by Colin Giltrap and the team that pulled this deal together.

Motorsport: NZ gets chance to see A1GP in action - 12 Aug 2006 - Motorsport
As expected, the Taupo round on January 21 got the green light

 The Official Web Site of A1 Grand Prix™

www.a1gp.com - A1GP Taupo, New Zealand

Taupo Motorsport Park - www.tauporacetrack.co.nz

A1 Grand Prix Coming to Taupo

It seems the A1 Grand Prix may be coming to Taupo Racetrack next January. This is great news and, if it comes off, a real boost for New Zealand Motorsport. I’ll be there if at all possible!

A1GP Taupo, New Zealand - A1 Grand Prix ™

A1 will be the largest international racing series to hit Taupo when the circus rolls into town in 2007. The new 3.5 km circuit, together with the brand new facilities and pit complex will be the perfect place for A1’s first race in New Zealand.

A1 Grand Prix - New Zealand

I haven’t posted much about it but it’s great to see Matt Halliday will be representing New Zealand in the inaugural A1 Grand Prix race this weekend. NZ should honour Colin Giltrap for making this happen.

Pity it sort of clashes with Formula One. They are not on at the same time but if I stay up watching A1 till about 03:00(?) and then get up at 04:45 for the F1, Monday will be a very long workday!

A1 Grand Prix

A1 Team New Zealand

TV3 Sport: A1GP  ~ 11:55 PM Sunday 25 Sep 2005
'A1GP Motorsport: Race 1 Live'. Clint Brown presents live coverage of the first-ever A1GP event held at Brands Hatch , Great Britain. The sprint race is scheduled for a midnight start followed by the main race at 2am.