03/11/2008
NEWS STORY
The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport returns to a brand new venue in China for round two of the 2008/2009 season this weekend (November 7 to 9). The Chengdu International Circuit in the Sichuan province in the south west of the country will host Sunday's two races and the proceeds will go to the Sichuan Earthquake Relief Fund that was set up following the severe earthquake that hit the region in May.
Adrian Zaugg will drive A1 Team South Africa's car Vulindlela in Sunday's sprint and feature races. The 21-year-old Zaugg finished sixth in the wet opening sprint race at Zandvoort in the Netherlands on October 5 and was unceremoniously bundled out of the rain-affected feature race on lap six while lying fifth after Italy's Onidi Fabio lost control of his car and crashed into the back of Vulindlela.
Commenting on the series visiting China, A1GP chairman Tony Teixeira said: "Our welcome in China has always been extremely warm and it is very gratifying that we have been invited to race at our fourth different track in this amazing country by the Chinese Government. The Chinese fans are some of the most passionate, as can be seen by their support for the series and A1 Team China. Also, as we have seen with the recent Olympics, China knows how to put on great events."
Liu Yu, A1 Team China seat holder is certain this race will be very important to the Sichuan Province: "It is a great honour to have A1GP back in China, especially with the new A1GP Powered by Ferrari cars. The severity of the earthquake in Sichuan Province on 12 May this year was a shock to everyone worldwide, and both A1GP and A1 Team China will take this opportunity to show support for the local people who have suffered so badly. I am sure the fans in Chengdu will be able to show they are getting on with their lives and will give A1GP a warm welcome."
Saturday's qualifying will be broadcast live on SABC3 from 08:00 to 10:00 and Sunday's sprint and feature races will be broadcast from 08:00 to 10:30 (the recorded sprint race will be screened from 08:00 while the feature race will be live from 09:00).