11/11/2008
NEWS STORY
 |
A1GP organizers have signed a five year deal with officials in Surfers Paradise, Australia, and the series will go there in 2009 for its first race.
"We wanted to go back to Australia and this is the ideal venue for our series. A lot of people have worked hard on putting this deal together, and now it has come to fruition it is very exciting. I am aware we are being given a perfect opportunity to showcase our series to the Australian fans, who have been great supporters of both the series and their own team. Australia has a rich motorsport heritage and I know our tv fans worldwide will be delighted to have this spectacular race on our calendar," said A1GP Chairman, Tony Teixeira.
The first race on the Queensland track, which has hosted 18 'Indy' Car races since 1991, will be on the weekend of 22-25 October.
This is a very welcome addition to the track for one particular Gold Coast resident, A1 Team Australia Seat Holder, Alan Jones. The former F1 World Champion's comment was: "It has been a big hole in the A1GP calendar this year not being in Australia. To say I am thrilled about this deal is an understatement. Having the chance to race in my own back yard is something special for me and the team. We are looking forward to it and I can warn all the other teams now I aim to make sure we have a home win in Surfers."
The deal has come about thanks to the tireless efforts of the Queensland Government and their partners in the event, IMG. "Both the Government and IMG have offered us every courtesy in putting this together, and I reckon we must have set a record in doing such an important deal in such a short space of time," said Teixeira.
"I'm excited to announce that A1GP will now be racing on the streets of Surfers Paradise and that we're able to bring the World Cup of Motorsport to the Gold Coast and Australia," said Greg Hooton, General Manager Gold Coast 300.
"We view the new partnership with A1GP as a great opportunity to continue to further develop the event and a wonderful attribute for the Gold Coast. It is critical for us to continue to produce a world class motorsport event and being able to combine the uniqueness of A1GP within Australia's most popular motor racing festival gives us a great platform for future growth," added Hooton.