Eric Thompson: Flu scare hints at demise of A1GP

Eric Thompson

Opinion

It seems the convenient excuse of an epidemic of alleged swine flu in Mexico has given the organisers of A1GP a much-needed out to cancel the last round of the series.

Just before the Taupo round of the global series, there was a sneaking suspicion we would not see the likes of these scaled-down F1 cars back on our shores again.

The once-mighty 11-round series has staggered, lurched, stumbled and fizzled to a dismal seven-round event fraught with money worries and impounded cars.

Consequently, I would probably hazard a guess nobody will be getting a visit next year.

Like many, I've been a fan of the A1 series, where drivers get to represent their country, since its inception and hoped it was going to be the future of the sport.

But the less-than-full truth coming out of A1 headquarters, along with the lame excuses for cancelling various rounds, doesn't help the scepticism abounding about the series' future.

Concern about the future of the A1GP series was piqued when it became apparent the only reason the cars arrived in New Zealand back in January was because A1 Team New Zealand's seat-holder, Colin Giltrap, stumped up the money to get the cars out of Malaysia.

Not a good look for the organisers when one of the smallest countries has to part-bankroll a global series.

Soon after the cars left New Zealand, there was talk of trouble getting them uncrated in South Africa and more money woes.

And even back then, the organisers suggested the Mexico race might have to be revisited because it clashed with a Radiohead concert - please.

The former CEO of the Kiwi team, Bob McMurray, while not suggesting the event should be taken out the back of the farm and put out of its misery, isn't overly hopeful about the category's future.

"I don't think it's the death knell of A1 strangely enough just yet," said McMurray. "The cancellation of the Mexico round is convenient - albeit valid in its convenience, so tospeak.

"The A1 people can now save themselves a lot of money by not shipping all the cars halfway around the world for one bloody race. And I'm still not sure A1 wouldn't have found another excuse not to go.

"There's no major sponsor of the series still after four years and there's still no real money coming in. Can it continue? I don't really know. I have my doubts, I have to say, but it seems to continue."

It is, of course, quite possible the financial crisis around the world has finally come back to hurt A1, and if so, the organisers should man-up and say that - don't pussyfoot about with all manner of excuses.

If you try to manipulate your fans with half-truths and smoke and mirrors, they'll leave in droves.

By now, organisers of all sporting events, not just motorsport, should have realised the fans who ultimately fund the events aren't stupid.

Tony Teixeira should come clean and tell us exactly what health his series is in - you never know, there might just be a white knight waiting in the wings who can save it all.