Lehdistötiedotteet - A1GB: A New Beginning

A1GB: A New Beginning

As the Season approaches its final weeks, its with a sense of pride i make my final selections for the Nations Cup. A championship I, and many of my fellow British (and Irish) managers, will agree has proven a struggle, with flashes of genius from the expected, the unexpected, and the future stars! I will not seek re-election for a third term, so consider this the close-out that everyone deserves.

Great Britain's rank was a little lackluster among drivers eligible, and with my staggeringly poorly timed retirement of the then UK#2 Ray Striver just weeks before this new championship launched. Many looked to the UK to bring up the rear...

Thankfully this was a long way from true, and with a Superstar like new Audi F1 driver Jonas Gudas leading the way, we all started to shift our focus towards the midfield and up, hovering in and around the Top 10 for the duration of my two year stay as President.

From the outset we have all been in cahoots regarding the entire A1 process, i will not claim any successes as my own, as there have been a great many managers involved in making this experience everything it has been. But despite our communal approach, i would like to shout-out a few key drivers who have shown up and raced hard, sometimes at very short notice.

Jonas Gudas we have already touched on. There's every reason this guy is knocking on the door of the World Top 5 ranked drivers. They say consistency is key, and despite racking up a few incredible wins, it's been the regular points on the board that are a huge hand in our standing.

I've been all too aware of Robert Headington for a long time, as he was the man immediately on Striver's heels at the top on the UK ranking. manager RH has sought to amalgamate an extensive archive of setups for any and all tracks included in A1, and i have every faith he will achieve it! Sling in to the mix my 'Over-performing' driver Kemp, who was a punt to begin with, but was on my radar immediately, as his time in F3's lower echelons has given his ranking a false read. Kemp has been a machine, racking up decent results and beating drivers high above his rank. Congratulations Kemp, you receive the very first "Presidents' Driver" award... There is no prize, or trophy, or even a buffet in your honour... But like Takeshi's Castle, the prize is the knowledge that you have won!

We aimed to promote equality and equilibrium amongst our drivers, which saw a bi-weekly rotation involving several other drivers, too many to mention overall in fact, but thank you to every single one of you for your commitment and dedication to bettering the British profile!

Lastly, but not actually lastly, a HUGE nod to Rubik Beardy who spearheaded our Junior programme, although regularly hard on himself in the forum, Beardy carried our torch in juniors for one-and-a-bit seasons before maturing to age 22 and taking a hiatus from National competition. His one and only appearance in seniors was so much more successful than i think most of us anticipated. With the stepping aside of Rubik, the door was open to several successors, there were so many great young drivers involved in the programme, but recently a young RAGE driver named Jackson Storm stepped up... I won't, and don't have to say much about Storm but seriously... Watch this kid!

And finally finally, i applaud two tireless managers who not only commit their time to MRC outside of driving, but graciously accepted a secretarial role. Firstly Donz, who many and all will know, who helped me make our inaugural season an overall success...

I really should join RAGE some day...

Secondly our newest secretary RH, who has taken the A1GB setup by the scruff, punched it in the face and kicked it into shape. Filling in on driver selections at very short notice whilst racing among the best with his own driver Headington. I am very, very happy to see this guy pitch his manifesto (which is basically a Tolkien novel) to the elections board for presidency, with no less than a five year game plan!! Good luck fella! I welcome new liveries and logo's for our second generation management team!

I have not been around 24/7, i should have pitched in more and made more noise on the forum, but with everyone as involved as they have been it has been clear sailing. It's evident that the future of British drives in MRC is very, very promising!