NZ A1GP Team Confirmed for Opening Round on Gold Coast

Nineteen countries in total are on the list, with the variety sure to give everyone someone to cheer for at the four-day event on the streets of Surfers Paradise.

Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Portugal, South Africa, Switzerland and the USA will all be represented when the cars line up on the grid next week.

While Earl Bamber was favoured last year the seat may be filled by Chris van der Drift who arguably has had more seat time this year.  Van der Drift has been competing over the winter in the World Series by Renault and currently sits eleventh place with one round to go.  However this final race weekend at Motorland, Aragon, will clash with the A1GP meeting (22nd-25th October).

Nikon SuperGP General Manager Greg Hooton welcomed the official release of the team’s ahead of what is the season-opener for A1GP.

“I am really excited to be able to officially announce the countries that we will host at our event, the Nikon SuperGP, from next Thursday when they arrive on-track for the opening round of their fifth season,” said Hooton.

“It is an exciting and varied line up, and includes all of the past season champions (Ireland 2008-2009, Switzerland 2007-2008, Germany 2006-2007 and France 2005-2006) as well as our own home-team, A1 Team Australia.

“As the final preparations for our race count down over the next few days, I look forward to welcoming the drivers and staff of all of these teams to the Gold Coast, and to seeing them in action on our streets in what I am sure will be some thrilling racing!”

The 2009 Nikon SuperGP will host Event 11 of the V8 Supercar Championship Series and the first round of the 2009/10 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport.

Source: www.nzracer.com