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A1 Team Malaysia, one of over 20 nations
set to compete in the 2008/09 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, is in the thick of
preparation work for the new season following the recent delivery of its new
car. The “Ferrari-powered” racer is a brand new car so the team is starting the
build process with the freshly painted chassis and all the new parts as well as
the Ferrari V8 power plant.
Following delivery of the chassis at the
A1GP production facility in Bognor Regis,
England, the A1 Team
Malaysia mechanics based themselves
at the facility for the initial build process. After a few days of preparation
the mechanics transferred the operation to the A1GP Technical Centre in
Silverstone to continue their work.
The layout of the internals of the car is
inevitably different and the team is gaining knowledge of its workings and the
“packaging” of the parts as they assemble it. The Malaysian crew, as they build
each part of the car for the first time are gaining valuable knowledge of the
detailed technical requirements of its operation.
Michael Webb, Chief Mechanic, says of the
build, “It is a learning experience with any new car the first time that you
build it from the ground upwards. All single-seater racing cars are basically
similar in their construction, but with different packaging, so it is this area
which takes the time to understand and master.
“Everyone in the crew has plenty of race
car build experience so it’s not too difficult. It just needs us to focus on
certain aspects and ensure that we know exactly how to dismantle and replace
parts as quickly as possible. When you are in the middle of a race weekend and
need to rebuild the car after an accident, for example, you need to be able to
complete the task in as little time as possible ensuring that it’s done
correctly. Taking the time now to have this knowledge will be invaluable when we
start going racing.”
The A1 Team Malaysia race
car will take a few more weeks to build completely, with the major components of
the gearbox and engine also needing to be fitted. With many new supplier systems
and installations, there is training required for the mechanics and this will
also take place in the coming weeks. Once the car is complete, an initial firing
up will check all the systems, and when that has been completed, it will be
given a test ‘shakedown’ with limited running to check that everything on the
car runs smoothly.
The team is working towards the Donington
test days, aiming for the car to be ready for a shakedown, and longer runs, at
this event.
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