12/04/2007
NEWS STORY
The penultimate round of the 2006/07 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport kicks off this weekend at the Shanghai International Circuit in China. Nur Ali will represent his country in the green and white car of A1 Team Pakistan and will battle it out on track with nations from around the globe. The tenth event in this unique series, the A1GP Shanghai, China will mark A1GP's second visit to the People's Republic, following the Beijing street race back in October.
The Shanghai International Circuit also plays host to the Formula One World Championship, MotorGP and World Superbikes. The 2.85 mile long track will present another challenge for the Karachi born driver, the long straights and fast and slow corners designed to test the skills of the best drivers in the world. The modern facility is one of two venues A1GP shares with F1, the other being the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia, which was also designed by Hermann Tilke.
A1 Team Pakistan driver Ali commented, "I'm very pleased to return to China for the second time this season. The spectacular Shanghai circuit will be a very different prospect to the tight and winding temporary street track in Beijing, but I'm sure it will be just as enjoyable to drive.
"I can't wait to get on track on Friday morning. It is a great privilege to race for Pakistan in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport and exciting to race on a circuit that forms part of the F1 calendar. I've heard that set up is important here, as it's difficult to get the right amount of downforce for the long straights and slow corners. I'm very much looking forward to the challenge."
A1 Team Pakistan Seatholder, Arif Husain added, "The Shanghai International Circuit is a fantastic facility and was the venue for Pakistan's best result of the season last year. Nur and the team will be aiming to secure further points in China to add to the point the team scored at the A1GP Durban, South Africa."
Ali will get his first taste of the Shanghai circuit in the rookie session on Friday morning. Designed to give less experienced drivers and countries from developing motorsport nations extra track time, the Friday morning practice session is invaluable to the team's race preparations. The team will complete a final practice session on Saturday morning before qualifying for Sunday's Sprint and Feature races.