Comments on: How is A1GP really doing?

By: Martin

Martin — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 09:07:04 +0000

I think generally it’s very good. Nation’s like A1 Team Ireland offer hospitality separate from their normal sponsorship and I would imagine it’s of a consistent to the quality of say, GP2, if not better. I remember the huge hospitality tents being built at Brands Hatch for the A1GP debut.

I think in terms of TV viewership, it is still small if compared to Formula One. It’s estimated that F1 broadcasts are witnessed around 58 billion times each season! That’s quite a difference!

I’ll see what figures I can find for the WTCC but it’s don’t forget it’s live on Eurosport which is largely free-to-air over Europe. Even if it’s dramatically less (which I don’t think it is), it’s supplemented by the manufacturer interest!

The next feature is related to the WTCC

By: Dave Entwistle

Dave Entwistle — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 22:38:58 +0000

I have to admit I eally enjoy the a1 gp series and find the coverage of it in this country on sky sports very good.
I think the lack of sponsorship is probably a combination of all the things you’ve mentioned but also maybe the series pedigree so to speak. Its only in its second season and still outside of serious motor racing fans is pretty unknown. As for the financial loss’s I’m not really surprised due to expense of setting the whole thing up but I think its a series that needs to be given a few years first to grow. I think its a great series and surely as more people find out about it and it becomes more popular it can only get better. Time will tell. What is the promotional package like anyway. I know its not exactly up to f1 standards but how do the global tv viewing numbers compare to series like f1 or even the wtcc which seems to very popular at the moment and also is there the same level of hospitality at these races as offered by other series to sponsors??

By: Martin

Martin — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:22:59 +0000

Thanks for the update Asp, I have added this to the text!

By: Asp

Asp — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 11:44:29 +0000

Ironically, as soon as you make the comment about Team GB’s sponsorship, they get it. And on a similar line to what you were suggesting – “Visit Britain” and “Visit London”; and “Qunitessentially” – obviously encouraging travel to the UK!

The point about the problems with terrestrial TV coverage is very interesting too, as that’s been the reason given for cancelling the Brazilian round of the series. However, as I’ve mentioned elsewhere (http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92933), I’m wondering if there’s a chicken/egg situation. Huge crowds won’t come to events without terrestrial promotion, but will anyone want to risk buying the rights without knowing there’s support for the series (as best shown in crowds at the track) to justify their expense?