16 replies to this topic

[Wez]

South Africa's foremost motor racing circuit - the Kyalami International
raceway in Gauteng - is gearing itself up for the Altech SA Grand Prix
Masters - the inaugural race in the international Grand Prix Masters Series,
which takes place at this world famous circuit over the weekend of 11 to 13
November.

And this will be a trip down memory lane for at least three of the former
Formula 1 world champions - who raced at one of the world's most challenging
circuits when Kyalami hosted Formula 1.

Superstars Rene Arnoux, Nigel Mansell, Riccardo Patrese all have fond and
not so fond memories of the circuit.

Rene Arnoux (France) says he can't wait, "as long as my first Grand Prix
Masters race turns out better than my first F1 race at Kyalami.

"I was driving for the Martini team in 1978 and we had so many problems in
practice that I didn't even make it to the start of the Grand Prix. It
wasn't all bad news in South Africa, though, because one of my first F1
victories also took place there when I moved to Renault, so it would be good
to have some of that good fortune this next time around."

According to Nigel Mansell: "The format of the race weekend at Kyalami is
very well thought out.

"We have enough practice time to get the cars well set-up and have a proper
qualifying session where we can do as many laps as we like, which is great
for the drivers and spectators. It won't be like the current Formula One
one-lap qualifying format, which is rubbish if you ask me.

According to Mansell, Prost will start as the hot favourite. "He has been
racing a lot recently and I haven't been in a car for a long time.

"But I like being the underdog. I always was in my Formula One career and I
will be again at the start of the Grand Prix Masters on November 13 in
Kyalami, South Africa."

Ricardo Patrese says that Kyalami will be a challenging place for the series
to start: "I raced there on many occasions in Formula One and it is really
demanding as a race track.

"The high altitude means we will be working hard in the car and the layout
of the circuit means that you get no chance to relax in the car - it will be
tiring. It is also quite an undulating circuit with some noticeable swoops
and rises.

[Senna]

Some very big names indeed…

[Wez]

More on the Grand Prix Masters:
"The Grand Prix Masters series currently features just one event but claims to have a list of stars including Mansell, Prost, Emerson Fittipaldi, Ricardo Patrese, Alan Jones, Stefan Johansson, Andrea de Cesaris, Rene Arnoux, Jan Lammers and Christian Danner. A full series is planned for 2006. The drivers will be competing for a prize fund worth $500,000 in specially-built chassis designed and built by Delta Motorsport and powered by Nicholson McLaren Cosworth engines."

[monza gorilla]

I heard that emmo had pulled out because of his back trouble?

[demonhorse]

Anyone seen any pictures of the  cars yet?  

Google came up with zip for me...

[Wez]

After searching the net through & through, I found the officail web site:
www.gpmasters.com

Looks better than a A1 car if you ask me.

[monza gorilla]

Agreed. Not too sure about the nose though.

[ecapdeville]

A nose "a la" CART....I would kill to go to a race...all my heroes are running! (I wish senna was here)

[Wez]

ecapdeville, on Oct 5 2005, 05:31 PM, said:

A nose "a la" CART....I would kill to go to a race...all my heroes are running! (I wish senna was here)

I read that the chassis are the same as CART cars (Cant remember who makes them, think it was Lola or Reynard), that would explain the similar resemblance.

I will take photos and post them here for you guys.

[demonhorse]

Wez, on Oct 5 2005, 04:11 PM, said:

After searching the net through & through, I found the officail web site:
www.gpmasters.com

Looks better than a A1 car if you ask me.

yeah looks more like F1 than the A1 GP cars...

Like the CART style nose meself, but it makes the front of the car look fat to me, lol.

[Wez]

demonhorse, on Oct 5 2005, 06:58 PM, said:

Like the CART style nose meself, but it makes the front of the car look fat to me, lol.

I suppose this is nessesary since a lot of the drivers would have eaten a lot of pies since their F1 days... Mansell for one

[monza gorilla]

MMM, pies.......  

Edited by monza gorilla, 06 October 2005 - 10:31 AM.

[kiko01]

Really interesting motor event Wez, you´re lucky to be there... The car looks pretty good!!!!!

[nojvnof1]

nice looking car, but A1 car looks better imo.

[ecapdeville]

nojvnof1, on Oct 7 2005, 04:21 AM, said:

nice looking car, but A1 car looks better imo.

Yes but I dont care how the car looks...I would kill to see all my favorite drivers racing again!

[demonhorse]

monza gorilla, on Oct 6 2005, 11:29 AM, said:

MMM, pie

or

?

Edited by demonhorse, 07 October 2005 - 09:42 PM.

[Wez]

More news...

Nigel Mansell returned to the c##kpit of a single-seater today when he
tested the Grand Prix Masters car at Pembrey in Wales.
The Delta-Motorsports built chassis had previously only been shaken down by
sports car expert Bob Berridge, and Mansell is the first of the 'masters' to
get behind the wheel.
The 1992 World Champion began the day on a damp circuit, and the track only
dried sufficiently to have a brief run on slicks. Despite the conditions
Mansell lapped the track around the 52-second mark. The circuit lap's record
is held by an F3 car at 50.6 seconds.
"What they have achieved with a new car is fantastic," Mansell said.
"Straight out of the box the car has performed wonderfully, it is very
neutral and responsive to changes. This championship is all about
entertainment and I'm now more convinced than ever that the series will
achieve that and more."
Event organisers are hoping for 100,000 people to attend the inaugural event
at Kyalami next month, based on impressive pre-event ticket sales.