Motorsport: Legends muscle in on A1GP gap

The A1GP cars won't be making the grid as a support class in next weekend's 11th round of Supercars. Photo / Paul Estcourt

When Nikon SuperGP general manager Greg Hooton made a statement from the pit lane of the Gold Coast street circuit along the lines that, "There are certainly rumours surrounding the appearance of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport at the Nikon SuperGP at this time, there is no question about that. At this point in time, I need to make clear that A1GP has not breached any terms of contract with GCMEC [Gold Coast Motor Events Company]", you knew trouble was brewing.

His announcement was akin to the manager of a sports club issuing a media release saying he and the board have confidence in the manager. And just as the manager is duly sacked a week later, the A1GP cars will not be making it to the grid, as a support class, for next weekend's 11th round of the 14-race Australian V8 Supercar series.

"I want to personally apologise to the people affected by this regrettable but unavoidable decision," said A1GP series boss Tony Teixeira in a statement.

"The Queensland Government, Gold Coast Motor Events Co, the management and chairman of the event have been patient and supportive of us in the past weeks.

"We were proud to be part of what has become one of the world's most iconic motorsport events, and are devastated at the decision we have had to make. We also know the Australian motorsport fans are very protective of this event and had welcomed us with open arms. To them I also apologise and stress that we wanted to put on a show for them that they would never forget."

A statement released from the series said that the knock-on effect of the closed-season problems meant it was impossible to prepare the cars in time. "The series found itself in a race against time to make the deadline for when its cars would have to leave the UK to be on track in Surfers Paradise next Thursday.

"The series organisers never doubted this was possible, but today have been forced to accept this now cannot happen.

"One effect of the UK operating arm of the series going into liquidation in June was that access to the cars and the ability to pay its suppliers has been impeded. What should have been a summer upgrading the machinery in time for the first race of the 2009-10 season has turned into a frustrating time for achieving this."

The next scheduled event for A1GP is the Zhuhai round in China in three weeks.

Some of Australia's motorsport greats and the owners of some of Australia's most prized motoring possessions have agreed to band together and put on a show for the fans.

Some of the great names turning up are Dick Johnson, Kevin Bartlett, John Rusty French, Glenn Seton and Colin Bond, with others to be announced later. They'll be driving a host of former championship and Bathurst-winning cars including Allan Moffat's Coca-Cola Mustang, Norm Beechey's Monaro, Ian Geoghegan's Super Falcon, Bartlett's Channel 9 Camaro, Peter Brock's A9X Torana, Jim Richards' JPS 635 BMW, Glenn and Bo Seton's Ford Capri and Johnson's Tru Blue Falcon XD - all valued well in excess of $1 million each.

Johnson will be joined by his son Steve, who will also be competing in the four 150km V8 Supercar events around the Gold Coast streets.

On top of the new muscle car line-up, the event will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first of Sir Jack Brabham's three Formula 1 world titles.

Brabham, his Le Mans-winning son Geoff and grandson Matthew, who are the No 1-2-3 ticket holders for the event, will join the aforementioned group of drivers for special Saturday and Sunday afternoon parade laps.

A couple of Sir Jack's open-wheel racers will do a few laps and Matthew will be involved in a special re-enactment of his grandfather's inaugural 1959 championship victory in which he pushed his car over the line at Sebring in Florida to clinch the title.

"We need to put the A1GP situation behind us, re-group and put on the best show possible for the fans and television viewers," said Queensland's Minister of Sport Phil Reeves. "In a very short period of time we have managed to secure some of the greatest names and cars in Australian motorsport history to compete on the streets of the Gold Coast next weekend."

Queensland motorsport legend Dick Johnson said the "party must go on" and could not think of a better way to add to his "home" event.

Johnson and his V8 Supercar driving son, Steve, have also been named joint grand marshals as part of today's announcement.

"It is un-Australian to sit back and bitch and moan, we need to get on with it," said Johnson. "I think the minister and his group needs to be congratulated for acting so fast to pull this fantastic group together after A1GP left the event in a very difficult situation.

"So many fans will have only seen pictures of some of these cars. For them to be able to see them in action and get up close to them will be something special and I cannot wait to get out there and have a blast around."

Hooton said the newly announced four 150km V8 Supercar race format and the injection of the Australian Legends category would see the Gold Coast event keep its status as one of the world's great celebrations of motorsport.

"To have four 150km V8 Supercar events over two days and some of Australia's most famous cars out on track is going to give the fans the best of both worlds,' said Hooton.

"When you mix that with all our other on-track and off-track entertainment it all adds up to one of the best weekends of racing and entertainment in the country.

"We want the fans to be happy and we believe the Australian Legends category will be a great addition to our schedule after the A1GP no-show."

The Australian Legends category will be on track all four days of the event. The program also includes the Australian Mini Challenge, the Australian Formula Ford Championship and Aussie Race Cars.