A1GP has announced a provisional schedule for its second year, running 2006-2007, ostensibly the 'winter' season in racing. There will be 13 races starting on 1 October 2006 at Circuit Park Zandvoort in the Netherlands. The season ends on 29 April 2007 at
Brands Hatch in Great Britain. The other venues include Czech Republic - a new country; Beijing, China - an added venue; Malaysia; Dubai; New Zealand - another new country; Australia; South Africa; a TBA venue in South/North America in early March; Mexico; Indonesia and Shanghai, which is to be confirmed. China now has two rounds.
The Kiwi round is at a brand new track, and that venue is "subject to agreement". It will be at Taupo motor racing track, a new 12.5 million motorsport park opened on 19 March 2006. This will be the first time in 40 years that a major single-seater race has run in New Zealand. The track already has its Grade 2 licence and will finish the pit complex in three months.
Missing from the second season are venues in Germany and Portugal.
The second A1GP season is running a month longer, which could provide scheduling difficulties for some drivers who may compete in GP2, Formula Three, World Series by
Renault or
Formula One. One example is GRAHAM RAHAL, who hopes to again compete with Team Lebanon and also is planning on running the 2006 GP2 series; or SEAN McINTOSH of Canada, who now runs in the Renault Series.
A1GP chief operating officer, DAVID CLARE said "We've really started to create a calendar which has traditional dates and a traditional flow to it.
"We've had the benefit of one year to identify where we want to be. The calendar has taken several months to evolve and consequently there are several new events. We are definitely looking towards temporary facilities to bring racing to the people. Our opportunity lies in creating new markets where we can develop interest in motorsport."
