19/07/2008
NEWS STORY
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Local motoring journalists in South Africa were the first in the world to be officially presented with the new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car that will contest the fourth season of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport from September.
A1 Team South Africa hosted a media gathering at the Kyalami circuit on Friday at which the new car, dressed in its new A1 Team South Africa livery, was unveiled.
It features a V8 engine designed and built by Ferrari and a brand new chassis designed in collaboration with Ferrari. Tyres are to be supplied by Michelin in the 2008/2009 season.
The chassis is based on the design of the highly successful F2004 Ferrari chassis, incorporating A1GP's core values to deliver close, exciting racing among a competitive field where overtaking is an essential part of the entertainment.
A1GP Technical Director, John Travis, oversaw the design, development and production of the car from premises in Bognor Regis in the UK, with former Ferrari F1 designer Rory Byrne acting as consultant. The manufacture and supply of the A1GP engine has been overseen by Ferrari's Jean-Jacques His.
The Powered by Ferrari project was first announced on October 11 last year when the legendary Italian manufacturer signed a six-year agreement to manufacture and supply all A1GP engines for this unique series and provide consultancy on the design of all A1GP chassis from season four onwards.
A total of more than 3 500 kilometres, the equivalent of over half a season's mileage, is the distance covered to date by the new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car. The development programme is moving forward positively and the teams will get their first test in Silverstone on August 19 and 20 and then a few weeks later at Donington on September 9 to 11.
Vulindlela, as the South African car is named (it means 'clear the way'), features a similar but cleaner combination of the six colours of the South African national flag, designed to allow the maximum exposure for the team's commercial partners. These include SABC Sport and Aon at this stage.
The opening round of the new season, which will visit 11 countries including South Africa, starts with the A1GP Mugello, Italy on September 19 to 21. The South African round will be on February 20 to 22, 2009 at a venue to be announced on Monday, July 21.
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