15/01/2007
NEWS STORY
The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport visits New Zealand for the first time this weekend and South Africa will be among the 24 nations contesting the sixth round of this unique motor racing series that pits nation against nation in identical cars.
A1 Team South Africa will be represented by 26-year-old Alan van der Merwe (right) and Vulindlela, the team's colourfully liveried 3,4-litre V8 racing car that carries the 46664 Robben Island prison number of former president Nelson Mandela. Vulindlela also carries the names of the team's sponsors - Telkom, SABC Sport and Aon - as well as 2010 to signify South Africa's hosting of the next football world cup.
Van der Merwe, the 2003 British Formula Three champion and occasional test driver for the Honda Formula One team, will be making his second appearance for his country in the World Cup of Motorsport following his impressive debut in round five in Indonesia six weeks ago.
He and Vulindlela, competing in their first A1GP together, finished ninth in the 20-minute sprint race after a race-long battle with former A1GP winner Sean McIntosh of Canada and was the highest placed rookie in the race.
Van der Merwe shone in the early wet laps of the 70-minute feature race, quickly moving up from ninth on the grid to third on lap 12 behind Germany's Nico Hulkenberg and Malaysia's Alex Yoong. Following the mandatory pit stop and a second stop to fit slick tyres as the Sentul track dried out, he was lying an excellent sixth when he experienced problems with the paddle gear shift and was forced to retire on lap 30.
"It was not the race weekend result I was hoping for," said Van der Merwe "but it was my first race in nearly two years and I thoroughly enjoying being back in the hot seat. The A1GP car is great to drive and one has a lot of confidence knowing that last season's championship-winning technical team, DAMS, are responsible for the preparation of Vulindlela.
"My objective is to keep improving with each race, so I'm looking forward to this weekend's races in New Zealand. I'll be doing my very best to score championship points and repay A1 Team South Africa for having faith in me and giving me this great opportunity."
Mike Carroll, technical and sporting manager: "Alan did a great job under the circumstances in Indonesia. He made good progress throughout the three days and his performance in the wet opening laps of the feature race was outstanding. We're disappointed we didn't get the result perhaps we deserved in the feature race, but we know we have another potential race winner in Alan."
The huge and magnificent Lake Taupo provides the backdrop for what could be one of the most spectacular races of the season. A new 3,5-km circuit, which is the focus of the new NZ$ 12,5 million Taupo motor sport park, has been built on the original site used by the Taupo Car Club, with the existing 1,4-km circuit upgraded and lengthened. It runs in an anti-clockwise direction and features 13 turns and an 830-metre straight.