Dubai, 31 January 2005:
The A1 Grand Prix car broke the official lap record for the Dubai Autodrome by five seconds when it was put through its paces during two days of intense testing last week.

Test driver Robbie Kerr was at the wheel and covered 700 kilometres on Wednesday and Thursday (26th and 27th January). “I was very impressed by the time I was able to set on what was a very dirty track. The car just got quicker and quicker, and the engine is very crisp and clean. We still have some fine tuning on the car, but there are very few things that need changing. From the way it handles, I am certain we should have some very close racing,” he said.

Series founder, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum, was delighted with the outcome of the test. “We are dedicated to producing a solid racing car, and the work completed over these two days is ensuring we do this. The test in Dubai was part of an ongoing schedule that means when we hand over the cars to the seat holders we will have ironed out any technical gremlins. We have done about 5,000 kilometres in testing to date and will continue this programme on behalf of the seat holders, so when they take delivery of the cars they will be the highest possible spec,” he said.

The test was run under the watchful eye of Global Operations Manager, John Wickham, and his comment was: “At the beginning of the test we started out on a dirty track with very little grip. We gradually worked our way through a very comprehensive test programme. On the final afternoon we ran a race simulation with the car out on the track for about an hour, during which Robbie made one pit stop. We received excellent feedback from Robbie, and he was setting very consistent times.”

The event was also an opportunity to raise money for the Tsunami Relief Fund. Testing was open to members of the public, with the ticket proceeds going to the charity. Spectators were able to view the car on the track, as well as up close in the pit lane. “I am delighted that the people of Dubai have embraced A1 Grand Prix and turned out to help us raise money for the Tsunami victims. We feel we have a social and moral obligation to do this. I would also like to thank the sponsors who helped make this event possible, IMGG (Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group), Dubailand, The Media Factory and Dubai Autodrome,” said Sheikh Maktoum