MARCH 30, 2004

New A1 Series launches today

The new A1 Grand Prix series, the Dubai-based "winter" championship is to be launched today at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai. The series is being promoted by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum, a member of the ruling royal family of Dubai.

The new A1 Grand Prix series, the Dubai-based winter championship is to be launched today at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai. The series is being promoted by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum, a member of the ruling royal family of Dubai.

The intention is for the new series to fill the gap left when here are no Formula 1 races although in order to keep down costs the series will be a one-make formula with Lola chassis and Langford engines. Thirty cars have been ordered from Lola.

It is anticipated that the new series will feature races in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australasia.

Dubai is also opening its new Autodrome, which it hopes will host a Grand Prix at some point in the near future. Dubai and Bahrain were both in the bidding to become the first Grand Prix in the Middle East but Bahrain secured the deal.