15/09/2005
NEWS STORY
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A1 Team Ireland's assault on A1 Grand Prix, The World Cup of Motorsport, was launched today when the team unveiled its driver line-up and spectacular A1 Grand Prix car in striking green, white and gold livery during a formal launch ceremony held at the RDS. Key among the announcements was the news that Dublin's Michael Devaney will drive for A1 Team Ireland in the inaugural A1 Grand Prix of Nations at Brands Hatch on September 23-25. Principal driver Ralph Firman will commence his campaign in the second round of the series at EuroSpeedway, Germany, two weeks later.
In the presence of guest of honour His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum al Maktoum, Chairman, Founder and President of the A1 Grand Prix series, Irish government representatives, business leaders and media, A1 Team Ireland's management presented its plan for the inaugural season. The A1 Grand Prix car unveiled by the team is one of over 20 technically identical cars which will compete in the 12 race series, battling for victory in The World Cup of Motorsport at tracks around the world between September 2005 and April 2006.
Following the launch of the A1 Team Ireland racing car, it will be shown to the public at Motorshow Ireland at the RDS on Friday and Saturday before being taken to Mondello Park for a track demonstration at the hands of Sheikh Maktoum during Sunday's Failte Ireland International Race Weekend.
"I am confident we have built a team capable of challenging for victories in the inaugural A1 Grand Prix series," said Team Principal Mark Gallagher. "Although we face stiff opposition from some of the world's largest nations as well as countries with highly developed motor sport industries, the fact that A1GP provides teams with a level playing field in terms of the car and technology used means that the difference between winning and losing will be decided by driver ability, quality of engineering, team-work and race strategy. In each of these areas we are strong and to emerge fastest on the final day of the major pre-season test in Paul Ricard, France, demonstrated our potential."
Announcing that 20 year old Michael Devaney will make his race debut in the opening round of the A1 Grand Prix series at Brands Hatch in 10 days time, Chief Executive of A1 Team Ireland Mark Kershaw explained the team's philosophy on driver choice.
"We are fortunate in Ireland to possess a small but highly talented group of drivers on which to draw for A1 Team Ireland. In Ralph Firman we have someone who has not only won at every level of the sport but also raced in Formula One and is currently one of Team Honda Racing's leading drivers in the prestigious Japanese SuperGT series. When we signed him we knew he had conflicting commitments in the first and fourth rounds of the A1 Grand Prix series, so we are fortunate to have a rising star such as Michael Devaney to drive for the team in Brands Hatch. The World Cup of Motorsport is an innovative and exciting concept and in A1 Team Ireland we have the talent to compete for success."
"Naturally I am delighted to drive for the team in Brands Hatch and I'd like to thank A1 Team Ireland for giving me the opportunity to demonstrate my ability against top international competition," said Devaney, who currently lies second in the German Formula 3 Championship. "Every driver wants to be given a break like this and A1 Grand Prix enables countries such as Ireland to develop their drivers at international level. I am really looking forward to racing in A1GP."
Speaking at the launch of A1 Team Ireland, Sheikh Maktoum said: 'Ireland has a strong tradition of competition in high-level international motorsport that will continue with A1 Team Ireland's entry to the World Cup of Motorsport. With the backing of Mark Kershaw and Mark Gallagher- all renowned for their motorsport expertise, and a bit of the traditional Irish luck, I am sure that A1 Team Ireland will do their country proud when the inaugural A1 Grand Prix of Nations takes to the grid at Brands Hatch next week.'
A1 Team Ireland, which is headquartered in Dublin with an operations office near Silverstone in the UK, is completing recruitment of up to 20 technical and commercial staff. Its line-up at the launch was completed by Commercial Director PJ Fallon, Technical Director Andy Miller and Team Manager Dave O'Neill.
Before making its debut at Brands Hatch, A1 Team Ireland will participate in a full day of testing at Silverstone on Monday 19th September with Michael Devaney at the wheel.
To check out our launch picture gallery, click here