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A1Team USA Head Predicts 2009/10 Series Return to America

Rick Weidinger Pledges 'Everything Possible' to Effort

by Tim E Tuttle
timetuttle@aol.com

A1GP Ferrari undergoes shakedown at Mugello. Photo: A1GP

The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport schedule for the 2008-09 season does not include a round in the United States, a situation A1 Team USA will make a diligent effort to rectify for 2009-10.

"We are expecting an A1GP round in the United States (if not two per season) and we're going to do everything possible to bring the World Cup of Motorsport to home ground," A1 Team USA Holdings owner Rick Weidinger said. "We ran out of time to do it properly for the upcoming season."

A1GP Prospects Continue to Improve

Weidinger is enthusiastic about the international scope of A1GP in 2008-09.

"We're a World Championship and that's evident by where we race," Weidinger said. "We have four rounds in Europe, we're in North America with Mexico City, South Africa, China and the Pacific Rim nations of Indonesia, Malaysia and New Zealand. We reach large markets in the countries we race and vast audiences
through our rising television viewership, which is up to 10 million per race.

"We have great racing between nations with world-class drivers and the addition of our cars being Powered by Ferrari and a new car design highly influenced by Ferrari will take our technology up a notch and bring more awareness to A1GP. We think the entire package will be very exciting and attractive to commercial partners."

The 2008-09 schedule: Sept. 21--Mugello, Italy; Oct. 5--Zandvoort, The Netherlands; Nov. 9--Jakarta, Indonesia; Nov. 23--Sepang, Malaysia; Dec. 14--China, TBA; Jan. 25--Taupo, New Zealand; Feb. 22--South Africa, TBA; March 15--Mexico City; March 29--TBA; April 12--Algarve, Portugal; May 3--Great Britain.

For more information on A1 Team USA, visit www.A1TEAMUSATV.com. For more information on A1GP, visit www.A1GP.com.

A1GP Announces Twenty-Two Event Schedule for 2008/09

Far Eastern Date Yet to be Determined

by Allan Brewer
allan@a1teamracer.com

A1GP Field at Brands Hatch, UK. Photo: A1GP

The 2008/09 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport schedule holds plenty of racing action with twenty-two races at eleven venues announced by the organizers today (Monday, June 9th).

As previously indicated the season kicks off at Mugello, Italy on September 21st, a circuit that makes its A1GP debut with the 2008/09 season.

The racing continues with the annual visit to the dunes of Zandvoort, before moving to the Far East and South Pacific for a sun-loving run across the globe.

There's even an open date on March 29th, while the A1GP teams are on the North American continent, spurring speculation that a race in the United States might materialize. A1GP will visit Mexico City only two weeks before at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit.

Another new track, this time in Algarve, Portugal offers up the penultimate round of racing prior to the series' annual close in the UK. The 18-turn Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, currently being built in Portimao, Portugal will play host.

This season will be the first for the next generation of A1GP cars, powered by Ferrari.

A1GP Drops Hints of United States Return

A1GP officials hinted at an American date for the series early in 2008 with an appearance in Indianapolis for the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association banquet on January 12th. Keynote speaker Emerson Fittipaldi, principal of A1 Team Brazil, made no secret of the organization's desire to return to American shores.

A1GP is currently in negotiations with a number of venues in China as well, including Shanghai and Zhuhai.

The 2008/09 calendar, as always, is subject to FIA approval.

The next racing season looms just around the corner, with A1GP all-team testing scheduled for Silverstone on August 18th through 20th, 2008 and at Mugello on September 17th and 18th, 2008. The multi-day preps are intended to allow teams to gain familiarity with the new chassis and engine package.

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2008/09 A1GP World Cup of Motorsports Schedule

Date
Event

1) 21 September 2008
A1GP Mugello, Italy

2) 05 October 2008
A1GP Zandvoort, Netherlands

3) 09 November 2008
A1GP Jakarta, Indonesia

4) 23 November 2008
A1GP Sepang, Malaysia

5) 14 December 2008
China - TBA

6) 25 January 2009
A1GP Taupo, New Zealand

7) 22 February 2009
South Africa - TBA

8) 15 March 2009
A1GP Mexico City, Mexico

9) 29 March 2009
TBA

10) 12 April 2009
A1GP Algarve, Portugal

11) 03 May 2009
Great Britain - TBA

A1GP Ferrari Chassis and Power Make First On-Track Appearance

ShakeDown Cruise Provides Positive First Impressions

From A1GP Media Reports:

The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport car for the 2008/09 season had its first shakedown at Fiorano, the Ferrari test track in Italy, last weekend. The Powered by Ferrari car was driven by, Andrea Bertolini.

Following the first laps the initial feedback was positive. At Fiorano for this were A1GP Technical Director, John Travis, A1GP General Manager, Technical and Operations, John Wickham, and A1GP Lead Consultant on Electronic Development, Anton Stipinovich, all of whom were delighted with the shakedown results, which are very encouraging for a car that is running for the first time.

The team will now undertake an intensive test program at both the Fiorano test track and the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola.

A1GP Ferrari Revealed in Official Rendering

'Powered by Ferrari' Car On Track for UK Shakedown by John Watson

From A1GP Media Reports:

A1GP Ferrari Rendering. Photo: A1GP

A1GP World Cup of Motorsport has revealed the first image of its brand new 'Powered by Ferrari' car for use in season four (2008/09). The CAD drawing was released ahead of the car's inaugural shakedown test in Southern England.

A1GP's own TV commentator and Formula One legend, John Watson, will have the honor of driving the car for the first time, powered by a V8 Ferrari engine producing in the region of 600 bhp.

The chassis is based on the design of the highly successful F2004 chassis, incorporating A1GP's core values to deliver close, exciting racing among a competitive field where overtaking is an essential part of the entertainment.

Development Continues on New A1GP Chassis and Power

A1GP Technical Director, John Travis, is overseeing the design, development and production of the car from premises in Bognor Regis in the UK, with Rory Byrne acting as a consultant. Meanwhile the work on the manufacture and supply of the A1GP engine is being overseen by Ferrari's Jean-Jacques His.

The Powered by Ferrari project was first announced on 11 October 2007 when the most famous name in motorsport 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.

Speaking ahead of the shakedown and what will be an intensive testing programme for the new car and engine, Tony Teixeira, Chairman of A1GP, said:

'Everyone is very excited about this project and it will be fantastic to see the new A1GP powered by Ferrari car turn a wheel for the first time on Friday. We obviously still have a lot of work to do as this is just the first step in what will be an intense development and testing programme, but I am very happy with the progress made so far. We have a small, dedicated group of people in Bognor Regis and are very lucky to be able to use some well known motor racing companies for certain areas of expertise. I am pleased to say we are on schedule and we will be announcing the date of the official unveiling of the car soon.'

Racers React to Redesigned Racer

Britain’s Robbie Kerr. Photo: A1GP

The partnership with Ferrari is contracted for six-years and also includes supplying engines and consultation on chassis design and manufacture for the new A2GP series, a regional championship which will begin testing in 2009.

A1 Team Germany seat holder Willi Weber has many special links with Ferrari, having managed Michael Schumacher, who won multiple Formula One titles with the Italian concern.

‘This partnership is a genuine coup – idealistically, but also from the technical and economical stand point,’ Weber said. ‘On an entirely emotional, subjective level there is not a better decision. Does a brand name exist that better embodies motorsport worldwide? I don’t think so.

‘Ferrari is a name that ties generations of fans to it, that represents a unique environment and that continues to enthral me after decades in motorsport.’

The sentiment was echoed by other seat holders.

A1 Team New Zealand seat holder Colin Giltrap gave his thoughts. He said: ‘It's a phenomenal deal with one of history's most exalted brands. In addition, A2GP will be great for young New Zealand drivers and open up more opportunities for our emerging talent to compete on a world stage. With a smaller engine A2GP will be perfect for bringing our young guns through the ranks.’

Many of the drivers also cannot wait to get in and drive the new Ferrari-powered A1GP cars when they are built next season.

"Emotionally there's no better partner than Ferrari," says Willi Weber

A1 Team Great Britain driver Robbie Kerr said: ‘From a driver’s point of view this news is terrific. The only way to drive a Ferrari single-seater has, until now, been through Formula One – this agreement means that we will have the opportunity to race with Ferrari technology in A1GP and that is something I would relish.

‘As a driver you want to have the best technology available, and I am certain Ferrari will provide a very exciting product. Having over twenty Ferrari-powered A1GP cars lining up on the grid is going to encourage other top drivers to the series, and really appeal to fans.’

London Gala Celebrates A1GP Season Past

Third Campaign Across Continents Raises Series' Level of Play

From A1GP Media Reports:

Switzerland’s Max Welti (L) and Neel Jani. Photo: A1GP

A1GP World Cup of Motorsport celebrated the end of its 2007/08 season with a glittering Gala Awards dinner at the Hilton Park Lane in London on Monday May 5th. Teams, drivers, sponsors and officials gathered to pay tribute to the memorable achievements of the season, including Switzerland clinching the championship, Ireland being the most improved team and Canada's Robert Wickens claiming the Rookie prize.

Tony Teixeira, Chairman of A1GP, presented A1 Team Switzerland with the World Cup trophy and congratulated all 22 nations on an incredible third season of competition.

'I want to say well done to A1 Team Switzerland. Max Welti and his team have done a great job and I know the fight has been long and hard with the likes of New Zealand, Great Britain and France never letting up and keeping the most amazing amount of pressure on them. But I also want to congratulate all the other teams who have made the year so memorable and contributed to the title fight going down the wire at Brands Hatch.'

Season Four Commences Ferrari Era at A1GP

Pete da Silva, A1GP Chief Executive Officer, paid tribute to an unforgettable season and looked forward to the start of a new era with Ferrari:

'As we celebrate the end of season three, I am sure everyone will agree that we should have a great sense of pride in the huge steps we have taken in establishing A1GP as one of the world's most prestigious motor racing series. We have travelled to the four corners of the world where the racing has been entertaining and unpredictable. This would not have been possible without the providers of our chassis, engines and tyres - Lola, Zytek and Coopers. I want to say a special thank you to them and also goodbye as we are moving on for season four, which promises to be even more dynamic and exciting.'

The evening was hosted by A1GP's own commentator Ben Edwards and pit lane reporter Lee McKenzie and they welcomed to the stage Sean Fitzpatrick, former All Blacks rugby player and sports icon, who made a special appearance at the Gala Awards to present A1 Team New Zealand with its trophy for second place in the championship.

Canada's Wickens Claims Rookie Driver of the Year Award

Canadian Robert Wickens was named Rookie Driver of the Year. The 19-year-old joined the team at round three in Malaysia and notched up a succession of impressive results for his nation, achieving five podium finishes including Canada's maiden Sprint race victory in Durban. The Toronto-born racer, who was 18-years-old at the time of the Durban event, also became the youngest ever pole-sitter in A1GP.

On winning the prestigious driver award, Wickens said:

'Obviously it's been a tremendous honour for me to race in A1GP with A1 Team Canada. I had a great season and was really happy to get a win in Durban and some other podium finishes. The team did a phenomenal job and if it hadn't been for all their hard work and dedication we wouldn't have had the season that we did. It's been a great experience racing in A1GP and I've learned a lot! I'd like to thank everyone involved in A1 Team Canada for giving me the opportunity to compete in a great series.'

Canada’s Robert Wickens. Photo: A1GP

In addition, the driving skills of the Canadian star were recognised further with the award for the Most Spectacular Overtaking Maneuver of the season. Wickens overtook Germany's Michael Ammermüller during the Sydney Sprint race, which was held in treacherous conditions, putting in an incredible performance to make his way through the pack from 15th to third.

'It had been a fairly challenging weekend before the Sunday at Eastern Creek,' said an overwhelmed Wickens. 'The rain certainly made a difference in the Sprint race but to be honest with you I was able to make up so much ground because the guys on the team gave me a great car on race day. Everything came together and I found a line that worked well for me. To reach the podium from 15th on the grid was pretty memorable but as I said, the team deserves a huge amount of credit for being able to make it happen. It was great to reward their efforts with a trip to the podium. It's nice that we've been recognised for it again with this award and I have to thank A1 Team Canada for the opportunities they have given me!'

A1 Team Ireland Claims Most Improved Honors

The award for the Most Improved A1 Team of 2007/08 went to Ireland. Adam Carroll ended his nation's run of 38 races without a podium finish when he took third in the Brno Sprint race - remarkably on his A1GP debut. Carroll went on to score his and the team's first Feature race win in Mexico City in March and has notched up an impressive four podium finishes during his debut A1GP season.

Ireland's success continued as it was also named the Best Presented A1 Team of the series for the third consecutive year.

An emotional Mark Gallagher, Team Principal of A1 Team Ireland, said:

'This time last year we won the award for being the best presented team and having the best livery and I said that instead of being all show and no go I'd prefer to be the most improved team in a year's time and we've now achieved that. This year I don't even have to decide which I'd prefer us to win as we now have both! That's completely down to Dave O'Neill (team manager) and the boys in the team, to Adam Carroll, Ralph Firman, Niall Quinn and the fantastic support we've had from all our sponsors. The victory in Mexico was a major turning point and the way in which the team has finished the season has made all the efforts over the last three years worthwhile. It has renewed our belief that the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport really does offer every country in the world the chance to enjoy success at the very highest level.'

Mexico City's Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit was named the Best A1GP event of the season and Malaysia beat the Netherlands to scoop the A1GP.com Fanzone Best A1 Team of 2007/08 award.

Having finished second in the Fanzone poll, which received a record 7,000 votes, the Netherlands collected the award for A1 Team PR Excellence while ESPN STAR Sports was named Best A1GP Broadcaster of season three.

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Full list of winners:

Award: Winner:


• 2007/08 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport - World Champions
  A1 Team Switzerland



• 2007/08 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport - Second place
  A1 Team New Zealand



• 2007/08 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport - Third place
  A1 Team Great Britain



• Best A1GP event of 2007/08
  A1GP Mexico City, Mexico



• Most Improved A1 Team
  A1 Team Ireland



• Rookie Driver of the Year
  Robert Wickens, A1 Team Canada



• Most Spectacular Overtaking Manoeuvre
  Canada's Robert Wickens overtaking Germany's Michael Ammermüller during the A1GP Eastern Creek, Sydney Sprint race



• A1GP.com Fanzone Best A1 Team
  A1 Team Malaysia



• A1 Team PR Excellence
  A1 Team Netherlands



• Best Presented A1 Team
  A1 Team Ireland



• Best A1GP Broadcaster
  ESPN STAR Sports

A1 Team Canada Celebrates Breakthrough Season in A1GP

Canada Secures Ninth in World Cup of Motorsport Standings

From A1 Team Canada Media Reports:

A1 Team Canada's Robert Wickens. Photo: A1GP

A1 Team Canada celebrated its highest placing in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport on Sunday, finishing the 2007-08 A1GP season ninth overall despite a tenth and final round to forget for Toronto’s James Hinchcliffe at the Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit in the United Kingdom. The 21-year-old missed out on adding to Canada’s points tally having been recalled to the team for the first time since Round 2 in October, James finishing 15th in the morning’s 15-lap Sprint race and 17th at the end of the afternoon’s incident-packed 48-lap Feature. Enjoying a comfortable cushion in the points, the Brands Hatch no-score ultimately failed to impact on Canada’s ninth place standing – the team’s highest finish in three seasons of A1GP competition.

Hinch Set Back by Penalties in Brands Debut

Hinchcliffe’s race debut on the 2.62-mile Kent track lacked any real drama, the short nature of the Sprint race preventing too much in the way of passing opportunities. Lining up 15th for the rolling start, the Canadian lost a spot on the opening lap and held 16th through to lap 9. With China dropping down the order James was promoted back up the order to 15th and stayed there through to the checkered six laps later.

Pole-sitter Robbie Kerr delivered a second-straight Brands Hatch Sprint victory for A1 Team Great Britain with the USA’s Jonathan Summerton second and Ireland’s Adam Carroll third. Neel Jani’s fourth place finish was enough to secure the A1GP title for A1 Team Switzerland with New Zealand’s challenge coming up short at the final round.

While an engaging battle for the lead between India’s Narain Karthikeyan, who started from pole, and local favorite Kerr entertained the crowd in the later Feature race, Canada’s push for points was quickly eradicated with a series of penalties. Climbing to sixth on-track as the front-runners pitted for their first mandatory stop, Hinchcliffe was served with a drive through penalty for an alleged false start. Dropping to 19th as a result, Canada’s day went from bad to worse as a 10-second ‘stop and go’ penalty was issued following a questionable line infringement from James’ pit visit.

Down a lap on the leaders and with all hopes of cracking the top-ten long since gone, the team had one last attempt for points gunning for fastest lap of the race. Setting the fastest first sector time of the day, James posted a 1m16.204s lap three tours shy of the finish but was forced to settle for second best as the sister car of A1 Team Ireland, with Adam Carroll behind the wheel, took the extra point courtesy of a 1m15.997s. Karthikeyan scored his second win of the year for India with Kerr and Jani second and third respectively.

A1 Team Canada Focused Forward on Ferrari-Powered Future

“Well it’s been an eventful day for sure,” said Hinchcliffe. “My car was rolling a bit at the start of the Feature but the grid’s on a slope and I don’t know how they expect people to control three pedals with two feet! Despite everything else that happened, and I’m really disappointed with the officiating today, the pace of the car was pretty good. I have to thank the Canadian team for their efforts this weekend, superb as always, and congratulate them on a great season!”

“James did a solid job considering he hasn’t been in an A1GP car for six months,” concluded Status Grand Prix’s Mark Gallagher, who runs A1 Team Canada on behalf of Seat Holder Wade Cherwayko. “He was getting back into the groove with every session. Both races were frustrating though with the Feature hosting a catalogue of problems. Overall it’s been a fantastic season for Canada with lots of podiums and a victory and it certainly puts down a solid foundation for next season. While today’s results are disappointing, we’ve proved how competitive we can be!”

The 2008-09 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport – Powered by Ferrari, featuring the next generation of A1GP car, gets underway with Round 1 hosted at Mugello, Italy, Friday 19th – Sunday 21st September 2008 – www.a1gp.com

A1 Team USA Scores 2nd and 12th in Season Finale

Jonathan Summerton Scores Third Consecutive Podium Finish

by Tim E Tuttle
timetuttle@aol.com

Jonathan Summerton. Photo: A1GP

A1 Team USA’s Jonathan Summerton finished second in the Sprint race, but mechanical problems reduced a top-10 run to 12th Sunday in the Feature in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport at Brands Hatch.

Summerton started second in the Sprint and ran there throughout the 15-lap race on the 2.6-mile Grand Prix circuit. It was the third straight round that A1 Team USA stood on the podium.

With 12 points for second, A1 Team USA moved into 10th in the championship with the 48-lap Feature remaining in the 10-round season.

The 20-year-old from Kissimmee, Fla., was in eighth place when he made the Feature’s second mandatory pit stop on the 35th lap.

“We’d been stopped for four or five seconds and the engine suddenly shut off,” Summerton said. “We don’t know why.”

Stalled Engine at Critical PitStop Leaves USA Straited

Stalled for several seconds before being push started, Summerton rejoined in 16th place and moved up to 12th at the checkered flag. It left A1 Team USA outside the points and dropped it to 12th in the final standings.

“It was good to finish on the podium in the Sprint and we were happy for that, but it’s a very big disappointment when it comes down to the car making the final decision on where you finish in the championship,” Summerton said.

“We started having gearbox problems, slipping gears, just before the second pit stop and it made it difficult to gain positions. Then, the engine quit and we lost several positions. What can you do? It was the car that caused us to lose our shot at 10th in the standings.”

A1 Team USA ended with 56 points and would have needed to finish fifth to overtake India for 10th.

“We continued our very strong close to the season with second place in the Sprint and reached, temporarily at least, our redefined goal of 10th in the championship,” A1 Team USA Holdings owner Rick Weidinger said. “We were in contention to complete our late-season mission when we had those mechanical problems."

"We're looking forward to next year," says A1 Team USA's Rick Weidinger

“We had very good reliability this season with the ‘We the People’ car and it was unfortunate that we had them in the final race of the season," Weidinger continued. "We’re still very proud of the tremendous progress we made this season, closing with a victory in the Feature at Shanghai, second in the Sprint at Brands Hatch and third in the Feature at Mexico City."

"We’re looking forward to our fourth season in A1GP in 2008-09 and will be announcing our plans in the coming months.”

India Edges GBR to Takes Brands Hatch Feature Race

A1 Team USA Closes Season in Twelfth Spot

From A1GP Media Reports:

Kerr (L), Karthikeyan and Jani on Feature podium. Photo: A1GP

A1 Team India secured its second win of the season when Narain Karthikeyan took victory in the Brands Hatch season finale Feature race Sunday (May 4th) afternoon while GBR's Robbie Kerr notched up another home race podium after a beautiful drive, just losing out to India during the second pit stop.

Newly crowned A1GP champion A1 Team Switzerland's Neel Jani joined India and GBR on the podium in third position while China's Congfu Cheng finished in a superb fourth place after a great weekend at a circuit he knows so well.

Fifth was taken by Franck Montagny, helping France to fourth place in the championship, followed by the Netherlands' Jeroen Bleekemolen in a solid sixth.

New Zealand's Jonny Reid did just enough to secure second in the championship behind Switzerland, who took the prestigious title honours this morning. Reid carved his way through the pack from 17th to seventh during the course of the 48-lap race, partly due to swift work in the pits from the New Zealand crew.

Portugal's Filipe Albuquerque snatched seventh from the Kiwi with just four laps remaining, demoting Reid to eighth at the chequered flag, which was enough to take second in the championship, beating GBR by just one point.

Indonesia's Satrio Hermanto crossed the line 10th to score his nation's first point this season. Hermanto put in a superb effort to hang onto the final points-paying position, after last lap pressure from the Czech Republic and South Africa.

A1GP Champion Neel Jani of Switzerland. Photo: A1GP

Ireland's Adam Carroll, who was on course for another podium finish after a sterling drive to third in the Sprint race this morning, crossed the line 13th to secure sixth in the final championship standings.

Carroll got a great start and ran in third for the first part of the race, before losing his car's front wing and being forced to pit for repairs outside the compulsory pit stop windows. The Northern Irish star was clearly pushing hard after rejoining in 18th on lap 20, setting the fastest lap of the race on lap 44.

Karthikeyan ReAffirms his Love Affair with Brands

Narain Karthikeyan, who took his maiden A1GP race win in Zhuhai, China in December last year, was delighted to score India's second race win:

'I think I made a good start. Robbie tried to go round the outside but I defended that move. When we came out of the first pit stop I had a coming together with Adam Carroll - I didn't see him because I had a moment and he tried to go up the inside and I hit him."

'It was a great result for A1 Team India and after the final pit stop my car was mega. I made a mistake at Sheen but at the end it was all good!'

Robbie Kerr, who won this morning's Sprint race and finished second in the main event this afternoon, was visibly disappointed to just miss out on doing the double on home soil:

"It's a team sport and we all worked hard," says Britain's Robbie Kerr

'It was a fantastic weekend for GBR, it was just a shame we couldn't pull the second win off. Narain and I were so equal and after the first pit stop we thought we had done enough.'

'Then unfortunately the second pit stop didn't quite go our way, but it's a team sport and we all worked hard. It's just one of those things.'

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A1GP World Cup of Motorsport Brands Hatch Feature Race Results

A1GP World Cup of Motorsports 2007/08 Cumulative Results

A1 Team GBR Wins the Race, but Swiss Take the Title

Jonathan Summerton Grabs Another Podium at Brands Hatch

From A1GP Media Reports:

Summerton (L), Kerr and Carroll Sprint Podium. Photo: A1GP

A1 Team Switzerland won the 2007/08 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport on Sunday (May 4th), after finishing fourth in this morning's sensational Brands Hatch Sprint race in the UK, in which Great Britain's Robbie Kerr took a fantastic home race victory ahead of USA and Ireland.

The crowd went wild as home favourite GBR's Robbie Kerr dominated the action from pole position to win the 20-minute race, moving the British team up into third place in the championship before this afternoon's final race of the season.

Kerr, who took victory in the Brands Hatch Sprint race last year, has now scored three wins for his nation during his A1GP career.

Much to the delight of the home fans, Ireland's Adam Carroll finished on the podium in third place, after making a brilliant start from fourth on the grid, diving past the Swiss car going into Paddock Hill and seizing third. Twenty-five-year-old Carroll has now notched up a total of four podium finishes - including one win - for the Irish team in his debut A1GP season.

A1 Team USA Breaks Into Top-Ten of Title Standings

Brands Grid Girl. Photo: A1GP

USA's Jonathan Summerton, who started second and has been on impressive form all weekend, held position throughout the race and, despite pressure from Carroll in the Celtic Tiger, went on to finish second and take his third podium for the American squad this season.

New Zealand's Jonny Reid, who had a poor qualifying session on Saturday but was still in with a chance of overhauling the Swiss team in the title fight this morning, crossed the line eighth.

The Kiwis are now preparing to defend second overall in the championship during this afternoon's season finale Feature race, as third-placed GBR is set to pile on the pressure.

An emotional Max Welti, seat holder of newly crowned A1GP champion A1 Team Switzerland, said:

'It's absolutely outstanding. It's such a great feeling - you just cannot believe it! To represent Switzerland all over the globe and to actually do it is fantastic.'

'We're writing a page in the history books. Neel came on the radio after he crossed the line to thank the team - he knows that to win the world championship is not only his achievement, but everybody in the team as well.'

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A1GP Brands Hatch Sprint Race Results

A1GP World Cup of Motorsport 2007-08 Cumulative Results

A1 Team USA on Front Row for Sprint at Brands Hatch

Qualifying Mis-Step Sends Summerton to Ninth on the Grid for Feature

by Tim E Tuttle
timetuttle@aol.com

A1 Team USA’s Jonathan Summerton. Photo: A1GP

Jonathan Summerton qualified A1 Team USA on the front row Saturday for the Sprint race for the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport at Brands Hatch.

Summerton will start from the fifth row for the Feature race Sunday in the 10th and final round of the A1GP season.

“I’m really happy with the ‘We the People’ car,” Summerton said. “I was hoping for a pole in Sprint qualifying and you can’t come much closer, but it’s a great starting position. There usually isn’t much overtaking in the Sprint race.”

The 20-year-old from Kissimmee, Fla., was .002 of a second slower than pole winner Robbie Kerr of Great Britain, driving around Brands’ 2.6-mile Grand Prix circuit in 1:14.426 for Sunday’s 20-minute Sprint.

Summerton ran a lap of 1:15.398 on worn tires in the first qualifying session for Sunday’s 70-minute Feature. He was fourth going into the second session and had the team had saved, like many other teams, its last set of new tires. In A1GP, teams are limited to five sets of new tires per weekend and are issued two sets for the four qualifying sessions.

Late-Laps Spin Hampers Feature Position Attempt

With the tires at their peak for only one lap, Summerton was on his attempt to start at the front and spun late in the lap. The lap on used tires from the first session held up for ninth fastest.

“We struggled with some understeer in the Feature qualifying,” Summerton said. “I got a little loose in Turn 9 and got up on the curb a little and it put a wheel into the grass. I spun. I’m happy that our lap on old tires held up for eighth, but disappointed we lost that lap. I believe it would have put us in the top two again.”

A1 Team USA (44 points) goes into the final two races of the season trailing Portugal (50) for 10th place by six points. China (46), Brazil (44) and India (40) are also in contention for 10th in the championship.

“We’re going for a win and a podium,” Summerton said. “How we finish in the Sprint will determine how aggressive we are in the Feature. We want to be in the top-10 in the championship and we don’t want to throw that away if we get in a position to do it. It’s going to be a hard battle in the Feature coming from ninth, but we know we’ve got a fast car, the team is good and I’m sure we’ll have a good race car.”

A1 Team USA qualified on the front row for the second straight round. Summerton was second for the Feature at Shanghai, China, and won the race.

"We're in position to take 10th," in championship says Rick Weidinger

“We’ve done an outstanding job this weekend with the exception of Jonathan’s spin in Feature qualifying,” A1 Team USA Holdings owner Rick Weidinger said. “We are in a position to take 10th in the championship and take some high horsepower momentum into next season. We’ve developed into a top team and we want to show that on the final day of the season.”

Live streaming of the Sprint and Feature (8:30 AM EDT) races are available at A1GP.com.

For more information on A1 Team USA, visit www.A1TEAMUSATV.com. For more information on A1GP, visit www.A1GP.com.