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Perhaps youve heard of the A1 GP? Most likely not, since its not a well known entity of mainstream media.

Although I had briefly heard about it, it wasnt until one early morning (1AM) that I stumbled upon it on The Speed Channel while surfing for something to watch

The concept of A1 GP is rather novel since its billed as the world or nations cup of motorsports. The series allows countries to enter a single car per nation to race for the A1 GP Championship

Currently there are 22 Nations competing in the spec series, which borrows its race format style from various racing series. The A1 GP race weekend seems loosely modeled after the GP2 format with a morning sprint race and an afternoon main event

What is GP2 you may ask? GP2 is a new racing series replacing International F3000 beginning in 2005. F3000 was the final rung of the European feeder-system leading into Formula 1, one level below the top racing series. Supposedly its name didnt fit-in with the F1 scene. Of course Im not too sure how GP2 does much better

At least now the steps are a little more defined, with Formula 3 progressing to GP2 and ultimately leading to F1. Plus the new GP2 series is owned by F1 Supremo Bernie Eccleston and his cohort in crime: Flavio Briatore

The A1 GP is a spec series utilizing identical Lola chassis fitted with Zytec normally aspirated 3.4 liter V-8 engines. The Lola is built to contemporary race car standards loosely resembling a modern day F1 chassis. And the A1s front wing treatment reminds me of the much unloved Jordan Grand Prix EJ13.

This design solution was taken in an apparent attempt to create ease of overtaking for the drivers when closely following behind another competitor. As there have been complaints of lack of overtaking in Formula 1 in recent years

The Zytec lumps produce 520bhp with an added power boost of 30bhp on tap for a limited number of maximum 550bhp power squirts. (Power shots = 4 for sprint race and 8 for feature race) The extremely lightweight Zytec power plant is required to last an entire season without rebuilding

Taking a page from Formula 1 the teams are mandated to make one cursory pit stop for fresh rubber during the 70 minute feature race. Yet unlike F1, the pit crew consists of only six members with two jack-men and one man per tire who must remove and install the tire by himself. And theres no refueling during pit stops, which must occur prior to a minimum number of laps left before the end of the race

The top six finishers earn points towards the championship with a maximum of 10 being awarded the winner. Better yet is the prize fund, which pays $300,000 to first place, $200,000 to second and $100,000 to third

And although the A1 GP air times on Speed mostly begin at midnight, the two hour shows are quite entertaining to watch with Wattie (John Watson) and Ben Edwards in the announce booth. Edwards gets quite excited while Wattie tends to drone on with blastamy towards the drivers on-track decisions. I guess thats what happens when youre an ex-Formula 1 driver

France won the inaugural Nations cup in 2005/06 while Germany currently holds a commanding lead this season with 19 year old phenom Nico Hulkenberg. Team Germany is owned by Willi Weber, with the young German under Webers tutelage. You may recall Weber being Michael Schumachers manager

So can the A1 GP compete with Formula 1? Wisely the series runs opposite of the normal Open Wheel racing calendar with visits to regions currently not hosting F1 races

Although the fledgling series is in its infancy, it appears to have all the right ingredients to succeed

Tomas Rotelli is an aspiring Motor sports writer along with having been an avid Racing fan for the past two plus decades. Living in Seattle, WA I have enjoyed a multitude of varying racing venues consisting primarily of permanent road courses and temporary street circuits.

I made my foray into writing in the mid 1990s while penning a monthly Ford Racing News Colum for WASAAC (Washington Shelby Automobile Club) for 6 years

I have been fortunate enough to attend a multitude of Vintage car races at various venues including: Monterey, Sonoma, Seattle and Portland. I have also enjoyed attending multiple Formula 1, Champ Cars (CART) and IMSA GTP & ALMS races over the preceding years