Two South African businessmen and a member of the Dubai royal family plan to launch a new international car racing series, which will staged in 24 countries, including SA, next year.
Two South African businessmen and a member of the Dubai royal family plan to launch a new international car racing series, which will staged in 24 countries, including SA, next year.
But the international racing series does not appear to be related to the rumoured rival F1 series (GPWC) that car manufacturers DaimlerChrysler, BMW, Ford, Ferrari and Renault were considering up to late last year, when it was decided The Bernie Ecclestone F1 Administration will continue to run Formula 1 but GPWC manufacturers will have greater control.
According to , Brian Menell, whose grandfather was one of the two founders of Anglo Vaal, and his partner, Tony Teixera, joined Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum as investors in A1 Grand Prix. Maktoum is nephew of the crown prince of Dubai, one of emirates on the Persian Gulf.
Menell said he was not in a position to reveal details ahead of the unveiling of a prototype racing car and the formal launch of the circuit in Dubai early in April.
But, he said, depending on the circuit, A1-racing would offer comparable performances to F1 racing, alluding to the fact that the series would be for single-seater cars. Unlike the F1 Grand Prix championship, all cars racing on the A1 circuit will be identical.
A1 circuit races will be held from September to March and will therefore not compete with the F1 Grand Prix, Menell said.
Lola International will build the first 30 vehicles, and Langford Performance Engineering will make the engines. “The cars have been developed specifically for the A1 circuit, and will be powered by a newly developed 3,5-litre engine, which makes them very fast and exciting”, said Menell.