MONTE Carlo, eat your heart out . . . the latest setting for on-street motor racing is to be Manchester.
For one day only, traffic speed on Deansgate will rise above the usual walking pace - and A1 Grand Prix cars will roar past landmarks like the John Rylands Library and the town hall.
A week tomorrow six of the 25 teams from the A1GP race series will line-up on the city streets for a demonstration race in a three-day free Sky Festival.
And during the three days of the festival, which starts next Friday, a race paddock will be opened to the public in Exchange Square. A1GP was launched in Dubai in 2004 with an aim of providing more exciting racing than Formula One by making all the cars exactly the same.
The championship was contested by 25 different countries.
Manchester's mile-long circuit will start from the grid in Corporation Street at its Market Street junction. Drivers will be doing 70 mph long before they reach the end of Cross Street and brake hard for the first left-hander into Princess Street.
They will have time to reach only 40 mph before the right-hand hairpin into Lloyd Street, past the town tall and down to a right-hander into Deansgate, where they will be back at 70 mph again in seconds.
Accelerate
After turning into St Mary's Gate, they will accelerate past Marks and Spencer to begin another lap.
Although the 3.4 litre, 550bhp cars are capable of reaching 60 mph in three seconds and 100 mph in five - with a top speed of more than 200mph - safety considerations will keep speeds down and lap times are expected to be about two minutes.
There will be emergency run-offs at each bend and first aid posts throughout the course.
Cars from Britain, Ireland, China, Lebanon, Australia and Malaysia will take part.
Local enthusiasts may be disappointed not to see Stockport-born Alex Lloyd, 21, in the cockpit. At the wheel instead will be team-mate Robbie Kerr, who said: "I'm looking forward to showing the people of Manchester what the cars can do."
A1GP's Kenton Elliot said: "We have been working closely with the council and the police to make sure everything is safe. It will be very exciting and we expect up to 100,000 spectators."
The race series includes one street circuit at Durban in South Africa and there are rumours that Manchester could one day host a full-blown race.
More than 20,000 tickets will be given away for events at 30 different venues at the Sky Festival, with more than 25 TV channels staging events.
Comments
Login or Register to comment
Will MCC stop at nothing ? I thought that manchester was promoting "Green issues?" Saving fuel and trying to get people to be more fuel wise ? and show the rest of britain how we save fuels Ect even councillor neil swannick was telling us all "To use bikes rather than your cars ??" And now we have the councill promoting the car in the city???? Racing cars should stay where they are made for "The racing tracks" Dont go gloryfiying speed in towns and citys " ""Monte carlo eat your heart out"" That must be the worst saying that ive ever heard??
about time that the police got the speed cameras out on that day they would make a killing on the speeding fines
Motor racing brings in BIG money from fans, tv etc. A great way to promote Manchester without having to spend millions on stadiums and other facilities. Go for it!
My friends' wedding is on Sunday 20 August 2006 at Manchester Cathedral and also The Marriott Hotel on Water Street.
Friend is panicking due to road closures - what roads are closed on this day - alternatively, do you have a map you can send me.
Many thanks
Can you please tell me which roads will be closed in the city centre? cos i'm working in the city on sunday. Many thanks.
Saja, Manchester, read the article again this Grand Prix is on Sunday 13th not Sunday 20th!!!!!
please could anyone tell me what time the race starts i have read the article twice & unless i have missed it, it is not stated.
thank you
They better be careful where they park the racing cars. The TWOCERS will have a field day as the police will never catch them in a Ford Focus. Ha......
What if, God forbid, there was an accident where lives were lost and buildings damaged? Will they allow another one after that? Meanwhile we're all being told by the authorities that road speed is a greater danger than anything else. "Twenty is plenty" doesn't really apply here, does it? We're always advised in no uncertain terms that speed belongs on a track. Also, (daft question) - will they be able to use the bus lanes? It's just that the motorists who actually pay for the roads aren't usually allowed to. Just initial thoughts, given what ordinary people are faced with every day.
Top banana!
PW - you're obviously missing the point. It's just a one-off demonstration!
"Will they be allowed to use the bus lanes?" - hah, pure class!
Will the pelican crossings still be operating?
I was joking about the bus lanes, so if it made someone laugh, then ok. The whole concept of racing cars going around our city centre is totally at odds with what the local authorities are doing to the rest of us. Speed bumps everywhere, bus stops extended into the roads with deliberate obstacles so you can¿¿t overtake and get on your way. Our bins have mandatory stickers saying twenty is plenty. Speed cameras, and nanny speed boards. We¿¿re actually quite sick of being told what to do. Then with the backing of the same Council, we have racing cars in the city centre - not on a track where speed really belongs. In my opinion, they are hypocrites. They are sending out conflicting vibes! Oh yes, and motor racing does not interest me, as you may deduce.
i work in a childrens shop and every child that has come in today has been terrified by every thing that is happening. not a single one has noticed any good that has come from this event. all i want to do is cross the road out side my shop to get some dinner.
and all i can hear is the stupid cars that belong on a race track not the city centre. and a young crying her heart out. i hope your happy with the fear your putting into young childrens hearts.
was gr8 i wanna a go! the noise gets u inside how wud i go about getting into racing?
Rebecca, yes some children may have been scared but there was still plenty of them both girls and boys leaning on the railings shouting and cheering for the cars!! it was a superb event something really good for Manchester!! Think maybe its just sour grapes as you were working???? Surely you knew roads would be closed, enough notice was given. why didnt you take some dinner yesterday also there is places on st annes square that sell sandwiches. It was fantastic and anyone who says different either didnt go or is boring!!
We went into Manchester Friday night, saw the concrete barriers up, we thought they were a anti-terrorist thing,thought of the poor folk in Baghdad and other places we inflict our peace on, back to the racing good to see we put th oil to good use, sic! Can't even use the excuse that motor racing improves cars, because in this series all the cars I guess are the same. Anyhow Sunday we avoided Deansgate for our afternoon out and went to the Trafford Centre, it was heaving! Not that we normally go there on a Sunday, heaven knows I am miserable now.
William you would not have been misserable if you'd have been out watching this fantastic event, rather have been where i was on Denasgate watching this fantastic racing than pushing and shoving the TC
Having lived in Manchester for a bit now I can easily say that the A1GP event on Sunday was possibly the best thing Manchester has ever done!!!! Yes, some kids were crying, but most were leaning over the barrier, cheering. There was enough safety in place so no one can freak out about that. The sound of the cars was amazing, really got the heart going. I think most of the people who type comments on this must lead a really boring life.
Living in the centre a great part of the day was actually seeing no traffic on the streets, makes a change!!!
Whats with all the moaning? if you have dissagreed with sky tv puting on an event (that was relly good) speak to mr blair.
as for the saftey extra police presance was there and showsec stuards who are all SIA trained and crowd controlled exp.
well done sky loved the events! come back to manchester any time!!