Speedcar Series to be more 'local'
Claudio Berro, the Speedcar Series Operations Director, has said his next goal was to make the series more "local".
The stock car racing event, which features several ex-Formula One drivers, has grown in popularity since its inception in Dubai last year.
"After the first season, the series has improved in quality and professionalism and, for me, it is the No1 series in the GCC area," said Berro. "Our job is now to raise the level even more.
"We have a new circuit coming in Abu Dhabi
at the end of the year
and it will be possible to make a fantastic championship next season in four beautiful circuits [Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai and Qatar]. And, not forgetting there is also a track in Riyadh.
"The Speedcar Series has a strong link with
Formula One and its drivers, but that is not
the unique link we're looking for in the future. We want to have more GCC teams competing.
"We are in discussions with universities so that engineers, mechanics and team managers can come from the GCC. The Speedcar is powerful, but not complicated with big aerodynamics and is absolutely ready for a top team and it's not necessary to have a F1 qualified team to manage the car.
"This is why for me I want local teams, with one local driver and an international driver – that's the right mix."
Berro also reveals the model of the series was cost-effective and is now being adapted elsewhere.
"It's not an expensive series and after the experience in the first season, we are saving more," he says. "In Europe and South America they have started some series with the same approach as us, so for me the Speedcar Series is a leader in cost reduction."
With big-name F1 drivers taking part in the series, should it have a European leg, it could become a lot more popular. However, Berro refutes the thought. "I think the Middle East area is strong enough to support an international level series."
The stock car racing event, which features several ex-Formula One drivers, has grown in popularity since its inception in Dubai last year.
"After the first season, the series has improved in quality and professionalism and, for me, it is the No1 series in the GCC area," said Berro. "Our job is now to raise the level even more.
"We have a new circuit coming in Abu Dhabi
at the end of the year
and it will be possible to make a fantastic championship next season in four beautiful circuits [Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai and Qatar]. And, not forgetting there is also a track in Riyadh.
"The Speedcar Series has a strong link with
Formula One and its drivers, but that is not
the unique link we're looking for in the future. We want to have more GCC teams competing.
"We are in discussions with universities so that engineers, mechanics and team managers can come from the GCC. The Speedcar is powerful, but not complicated with big aerodynamics and is absolutely ready for a top team and it's not necessary to have a F1 qualified team to manage the car.
"This is why for me I want local teams, with one local driver and an international driver – that's the right mix."
Berro also reveals the model of the series was cost-effective and is now being adapted elsewhere.
"It's not an expensive series and after the experience in the first season, we are saving more," he says. "In Europe and South America they have started some series with the same approach as us, so for me the Speedcar Series is a leader in cost reduction."
With big-name F1 drivers taking part in the series, should it have a European leg, it could become a lot more popular. However, Berro refutes the thought. "I think the Middle East area is strong enough to support an international level series."
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