Existing Users: Because of an update to the forum software you will need to reset your password. Please use the "Forgot?" link on the sign in form to do so. If that doesn't work, send me an email at feedback@forzaminardi.com and I'll sort you out!
Autosport is saying that the Laguna Seca round of A1GP has been cancelled today. WTF? :mad:
Comments
Sounds like a French conspiracy to me.
Geez I was really looking forward to see Jos sliding down the corkscrew :mad:
Next weekend's A1 Grand Prix round at Laguna Seca has been cancelled, autosport.com can reveal.
The move will be officially confirmed later today, but autosport.com understands that the decision to can the race has been taken for operational reasons.
The cancellation means that Team France have won the inaugural A1 GP title, as their points tally cannot now be overhauled by nearest rivals Team Switzerland in the one remaining meeting.
Reports suggest that concerns about the safety of the Californian track have led to the event's abandonement. But Laguna Seca hosted a round of the American Le Mans Series, which is listed as a grade two event, as recently as October 2005.
The unfortunate thing is that we had meet plans roughly established with Christian Fittipaldi, Enrico Toccacelo and Alex Yoong.
Bummer.
Laguna Seca race back on
By Tim Redmayne Sunday, March 5th 2006, 23:29 GMT
A1 Grand Prix officials are to press ahead with plans to hold next weekend's penultimate round of the championship at Laguna Seca after all, autosport.com can reveal.
The championship organisers have informed all teams that the race will now go ahead as originally planned, despite having told them 24 hours ago that it was cancelled.
The situation has arisen because work being carried out to ready the track for the race was disrupted due to storms that hit California. This caused damage to the run-off areas, as due to the inclines at the track the heavy rainfall washed away most of the gravel.
Last night, A1 GP officials did not believe that the work could be completed in time for the race and took an internal decision to cancel the race.
Plans were made for the formal announcement of the cancellation this morning, however, that statement was not issued.
Further meetings have since taken place between the track and the A1 GP today, leading organisers to be confident enough to reverse their original decision in the belief that the circuit will be ready for practice on Friday morning.
A1 GP spokesperson told autosport.com: "We initially believed that the work required for Laguna Seca would be not achieved in time, causing us to inform the teams of our decision to cancel.
"However, after further meetings with circuit officials we have been assured that the necessary work will be done and we have chosen to push ahead with plans for the race."
Laguna Seca officials have assured A1 GP that they will increase their resources to complete the work, switching to a 24 hour per day work schedule if necessary.
A formal statement confirming that the race will go ahead will be released later tonight.
The A1 GP cars are currently on their way to the United States following their race in Mexico last weekend.
Date: 5 March 2006
Press release number: 0060
Embargo date: For immediate release
A1 GRAND PRIX GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO USA RACE
Salinas, CA - Organisers of the A1 Grand Prix series have confirmed the A1 Grand Prix of Nations, California, USA, scheduled to run at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on 10-12 March 2006 will go ahead as planned.
An initial inspection of the track by A1 Grand Prix officials raised concerns over the volume of rain that has fallen over recent weeks, hindering the on-going preparation of the facility for the penultimate round of the World Cup of Motorsport. Following substantial discussions with Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, A1 Grand Prix have been assured that Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca officials will do everything within their control to prepare the track for the A1 Grand Prix of Nations.
'Despite challenges brought on by the prevailing weather conditions, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is confident that the track will be presented to the necessary standard required to host an A1 Grand Prix event,' stated A1GP chief operating officer, David Clare. 'We will now continue to work with the circuit to ensure the US race meets the impeccable standards dictated by A1GP.'
Notes to Editors
A1 Grand Prix is a Dubai-based organisation established by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum. It is the first opportunity in any area of motorsport for countries to race on a level playing field, where 23 national teams, representing a significant portion of the world's population, actively compete in the first World Cup of Motorsport.
For further information, please visit www.A1GP.com. To receive regular updates from A1 Grand Prix please visit the media website at www.A1GP.com/press.
For further information please contact:
Nikki Rooke
PR and Communications Manager
Mob: +44 (0) 7790 019518
E-mail: nikki@a1gp.com Ann Bradshaw
ABC
Mob: +44 (0) 7713 317006
E-mail: abc@annieb.co.uk
Raining like a bitch here the last few.
[Edited on 8/3/2006 by PistonBroke]