31 replies to this topic

[Senna]

Following the unprecedented success of the inaugural Grand Prix Masters race in South Africa last November, the series is proud to announce a 2006 campaign which will begin at Qatar’s Losail International Raceway on 29th April.


"We are honoured that the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation and Losail have chosen GP Masters to be the first car series to race on their incredibly impressive circuit, and we look forward to a long and fruitful association with Qatar, “ said GP Masters CEO Scott Poulter.

"In particular I would like to thank Nasser Khalifa Al-Attiyah, president of the federation, for his faith in GP Masters," said Poulter.

A full 2006 calendar is being finalised with between 5 and 6 races expected for this year.

"We are close to agreeing terms with several classic Grand Prix circuits, and should be in a position to announce them shortly," Poulter added

Further announcements are expected in the next 2 to 3 weeks. Watch this space!

[pumpdoc]

Indeed I shall watch for more good news

[Senna]

Yes, this series is slowly evolving now…

Hopefully, Prost and Hill join the roster for 2006.  Damon, in particular, should be highly sought after for his involvement would attract many of the younger viewers, viewers who didn’t see Emerson Fittipaldi, Prost, Mansell etc and for whom the series might hold little attraction simply because of unfamiliarity with the drivers.  Whilst drivers such as Nigel Mansell are well-known to both young and old, I would be surprised to hear that the youngsters know about drivers such as Jan Lammers, Hans Stuck, Stefan Johansson etc

Edited by Senna, 14 January 2006 - 07:08 PM.

[pumpdoc]

Lammers, Stuck and Johansson all had fine carears as sports car drivers also........

[nojvnof1]

I've heard of them all but know most (although very little at that) about Johannson. I know he raced in F1 in the late 80's and early 90's with some tail end teams such as Onyx through the F1 review tapes.

[Wez]

Good news indeed!

[Senna]

I’d like to see Prost, Hill, Piquet and Brundle sign up to the GPM

[Wez]

Senna, on Jan 18 2006, 10:49 PM, said:

I’d like to see Prost, Hill, Piquet and Brundle sign up to the GPM

That would be great, even possibly Berger.

[monza gorilla]

nojvnof1, on Jan 15 2006, 03:13 AM, said:

I've heard of them all but know most (although very little at that) about Johannson. I know he raced in F1 in the late 80's and early 90's with some tail end teams such as Onyx through the F1 review tapes.

Stefan also raced for Ferrari and McLaren TAG.

It would be great if Hill, Prost, Brundle and the like would sign up. Not so sure about Piquet, but it would be fun to see his rivalry with Mansell rekindled I suppose.

[Wez]

It seems like every racing series needs a Jap so what about Nakajima to spice things up.     

[Senna]

MANSELL SET FOR SILVERSTONE RETURN




Nigel Mansell looks set to return to his old hunting ground in 2006 after the Grand Prix Masters series confirmed it will hold a race at Silverstone in August.

The series, which caters for former Formula 1 drivers over 45 enjoyed a successful debut race at Kyalami in South Africa last November, has confirmed a five-date calendar with the British Grand Prix venue taking centre stage.

"To add more chapters to the history we made at our sell-out event in South Africa is sensational news and I for one cannot wait to get back into action!" said Mansell, who won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone three times.





"For me personally, the special one will of course be Silverstone.

"Racing a thoroughbred grand prix car in-front of a home crowd at Silverstone will be a surreal and mighty experience.

"My last grand prix race there was back in 1992 and was one of many victories that season that culminated in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championship."

Italian GP venue Monza also features on the calendar alongside Qatar's new Losail track, Kyalami and a further race yet to be announced.

"Racing in front of the Italian ‘tifosi’ will also be very special for me and if we can deliver anything like the spectacle we succeeded in doing in South Africa, the fan’s will absolutely love it,” added Mansell.

GP Masters 2006 calendar

Apr 29      Losail (Q)
Jun 18      Monza (I)
Aug 13     Silverstone (GB)
Oct 1        TBC
Nov 1       Kyalami

[Wez]

Senna, on Jan 19 2006, 07:54 PM, said:

Apr 29      Losail (Q)
Jun 18      Monza (I)
Aug 13     Silverstone (GB)
Oct 1        TBC
Nov 1       Kyalami

Great news Senna!
After going to the debut race last year, I would highly recommend anyone with a race in their area to go to it!
I will not miss the Nov 1st race!

[Senna]

Hopefully, I’ll be able to go to Silverstone for the GPM…I always go for the F1 race.

[pumpdoc]

Damn! Mansell....Silverstone.............the crowd goes wild!!!! That would be worth the price of admission alone

[Wez]

Senna, on Jan 20 2006, 09:13 PM, said:

Hopefully, I’ll be able to go to Silverstone for the GPM…I always go for the F1 race.

Lucky Bugga!

[monza gorilla]

I haven't been to Silverstone for 3 years now, but I'll definitely be going on 13th August!

[Wez]

monza gorilla, on Jan 23 2006, 02:56 PM, said:

I haven't been to Silverstone for 3 years now, but I'll definitely be going on 13th August!

In my opinion Silverstone is a must see grand prix in the Formula 1 calender... unlike San Marino, Bahrain, Turkey...

[michelfx]

Wez, on Jan 23 2006, 02:55 PM, said:

In my opinion Silverstone is a must see grand prix in the Formula 1 calender... unlike San Marino, Bahrain, Turkey...

I'm a huge fan of the sport, I will get up in the middle of the night to watch every race. Every event is of great importance no matter where it is held

[Wez]

michelfx, on Jan 23 2006, 05:04 PM, said:

I'm a huge fan of the sport, I will get up in the middle of the night to watch every race. Every event is of great importance no matter where it is held

No doubt, I watch every race.

But my point here is that I have no desire to spend hard earned money going to a Grand Prix in a country who are only hosting a race because they pay uncle Bernie & Max big money, even though there isn't that great an interest there and NO history in the sport!

[monza gorilla]

Wez, on Jan 23 2006, 02:55 PM, said:

In my opinion Silverstone is a must see grand prix in the Formula 1 calender... unlike San Marino, Bahrain, Turkey...

Depends where you're sitting and whether or not it's raining.

[Wez]

monza gorilla, on Jan 23 2006, 05:10 PM, said:

Depends where you're sitting and whether or not it's raining.

Rain at the British GP Monza... surely not

[monza gorilla]

Wez, on Jan 23 2006, 03:11 PM, said:

Rain at the British GP Monza... surely not

Unbelievable, I know, but it's true I tell you!

[Senna]

monza gorilla, on Jan 23 2006, 03:10 PM, said:

Depends where you're sitting and whether or not it's raining.

The grandstands provide protection from the elements.

[michelfx]

Senna, on Jan 23 2006, 07:50 PM, said:

The grandstands provide protection from the elements.

not in my neck of the woods

[monza gorilla]

Senna, on Jan 23 2006, 07:50 PM, said:

The grandstands provide protection from the elements.

The Luffield stands may have a roof, but weatherproof they are not. In any case, an Englishman is never without his umbrella to guard against inclement weather. Sadly, mine carries the Jaguar name.

[michelfx]

monza gorilla, on Jan 23 2006, 07:59 PM, said:

The Luffield stands may have a roof, but weatherproof they are not. In any case, an Englishman is never without his umbrella to guard against inclement weather. Sadly, mine carries the Jaguar name.

see again patriotism! Jag?

[Senna]

michelfx, on Jan 23 2006, 08:02 PM, said:

see again patriotism! Jag?

Sadly, patriotism no longer…

[monza gorilla]

How true that is.

[pumpdoc]

Nothing wrong with a bit of nostaglia.............

[monza gorilla]

53-year-old Nelson Piquet will not join fellow former F1 champions Nigel Mansell, Emerson Fittipaldi and Alan Jones in the 2006 'Grand Prix Masters' category.

Fourteen ex-grand prix stars over the age of 45 raced their single seaters at Kyalami late last year, with a full calendar to feature in '06.

But Brazil's Piquet, who won F1 drivers' titles in 1981, 1983 and 1987, told Italian magazine Autosprint that his professional race driving career is over.

''This series is for people who want to live in the past and make money out of it,'' he slammed.

Certainly, the latter motivation is unlikely to appeal to Piquet, whose now supports his namesake and son's career.

He boasted to the magazine that he probably earns more money in a year through his business interests than Michael Schumacher.



At least it's nice to know he hasn't changed much over the years!
He's just afraid to get in a car again. Oooh. Controversy........