18/04/2008
NEWS STORY
A1 Team Great Britain and VisitBritain to continue partnership as 2007/08 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport season finale at Brands Hatch approaches.
A1 Team Great Britain has announced the continuation of its partnership with VisitBritain, the organisation responsible for promoting Britain as a world class tourist destination. The partnership, which began in January 2007, is especially exciting as A1 Team GBR prepares for its home race at Brands Hatch in Kent in a fortnight's time.
Ahead of the Brands Hatch race, visitors to London will be able to see the A1 Team GBR car up close at the Britain and London Visitor Centre (BLVC), run by VisitBritain. The BLVC has been open since 2000 is a one-stop shop for tourists, providing information and promoting London and Britain from its premises at 1 Regent Street, right in the heart of London. The Team GBR car will be on show in the BLVC from this Saturday, 19 April, through until Saturday 26 April. The Centre is open on Mondays from 0930-1830, Tuesdays to Fridays from 0900-1830 and on weekends from 1000-1600 and the nearest underground station is Piccadilly Circus.
The A1 Team GBR car will then move to the tarmac to join the other 21 competing A1GP nations as the entire field come out to play for the Regent Street Pit Stop on Sunday 27 April. Lower Regent Street will be transformed into an A1GP grid with 22 single-seat race cars each emblazoned with their national flag and accompanied by their race teams, in preparation for the season finale at Brands Hatch, Great Britain the following weekend. With a live stage and jumbo TV screens broadcasting racing highlights from throughout the 2007/08 season the street will have a real carnival atmosphere. A1GP display stands will showcase the cultural element of each nation competing in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport while activities ranging from Tyre Change Challenges and bouncy castles for the kids will ensure the whole family can get involved in the action.
In addition to promoting Britain as a tourist destination, VisitBritain is also responsible for developing England's visitor economy. It has representatives in 36 countries around the world and, in the last three years, has expanded into China, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia and India. A1 Team GBR is a global ambassador for VisitBritain and is promoting Britain in the A1GP race markets, which are also key markets for Britain.
The inaugural A1GP season kicked off in style at the Kent circuit in September 2005, and the event welcomed a truly international crowd, each rooting for their respective nations as they battled wheel-to-wheel for the spoils. Unfortunately for Team GBR driver Robbie Kerr, technical feature in the Feature race prevented a near certain podium finish. Fortunately the sell-out crowd, many patriotically waving union flags, returned to Brands Hatch 18 months later for the 2006/07 season finale, where Kerr put the record straight and created a piece of series history with the first home team win in the Sprint race.
Robbie Kerr will once again lead the charge for the team at this year's Brands Hatch season finale and will be firmly aiming for maximum points to topple nearest rivals France to secure third place in the championship.
Katie Clements, Team Principal, A1 Team GBR: "I am delighted with the continuation of our partnership with VisitBritain, and glad that we have been able to provide an exciting display in central London with VisitBritain ahead of the Brands Hatch race. It will give visitors the chance to see the British car, learn about A1GP and hopefully encourage them to get behind their countries and come to visit us at Brands Hatch on 3-4 May."
Tom Wright, Chief Executive, VisitBritain: "It is fantastic that we have developed this partnership with A1GP and are able to showcase the car to the thousands of visitors who pass through the doors of the Britain and London Visitor Centre each year. The AIGP event on 27 April will showcase cars from nations all over the globe and Regent Street is set to provide a spectacular backdrop. Sporting events are a real draw for visitors from all around the globe and we hope that by showcasing the car within the centre, we can enthuse visitors about our sporting culture and perhaps encourage international visitors to come along to the event to support cars from their own home nations!"