GC600 flashback: Fears over A1GP’s imminent collapse

The Gold Coast V8 race was the `jewel in the crown’ of the series and would deliver record crowds as well as salvage the Nitro Super GP weekend, said Supercar bosses.

Gold Coast Bulletin, Monday July 13, 2009

THE Gold Coast V8 race was the `jewel in the crown’ of the series and would deliver record crowds as well as salvage the Nitro Super GP weekend, said Supercar bosses.

There were fresh reports that the A1GP series has run into financial turmoil following the collapse of its British arm.

The Bulletin learned that A1 Grand Prix Operations Limited had gone into liquidation two weeks earlier.

Speaking immediately after the very successful inaugural Townsville V8 Supercars event, motor sports supremo Tony Cochrane said the Gold Coast race was the `jewel in the crown’.

Gold Coast Bulletin, Monday July 13, 2009

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN FOR $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 12 WEEKS

Mr Cochrane said he was `blown away’ by the success of the V8 debut in north Queensland which attracted 160,000 spectators.

But his focus had turned to the series’ number one race.

“It (the Gold Coast race) is our home event. We are headquartered on the Coast and love bringing our sport here,’’ said Mr Cochrane.

While he would not comment on the state of the A1GP series, Mr Cochrane said the weekend could be run as a `V8s only’ event.

“We’re already doing the main feature race on Saturday and Sunday,’’ he said.

Nitro SuperGP general manager Greg Hooton said that would not be necessary as the A1GP series was healthy and still headed our way.

He said the winding up of A1 Grand Prix Operations Limited was part of an operational restructure and move to Portugal.

“It will absolutely have no effect at all. I’ve been assured by the chairman of A1GP that they will be here racing in October,” said Mr Hooton.