Circuits eager to attract ever-larger TGP fields

Organisers of the FIA Thoroughbred Grand Prix Car Championship are currently considering 14 invitations from circuits across Europe to host rounds of the 2002 championship. With a maximum of eight or nine races, at least five venues will be unsuccessful. New to the list of candidates are the A1-Ring in Austria and Hockenheim.

“We should start the season in April at Estoril or Jarama,” reports series boss Stuart McCrudden. “With so many invites we may only do one race in Britain,” he added. The Brands Hatch GP circuit is the most likely venue for the British race. A definitive calendar is expected by the end of November.

The number of competitors hit records levels this year, with 52 registered drivers. “I’ve already got requests from a number of new people for next year,” says McCrudden. The 2001 title was clinched by John Bladon (Surtees TS9) at the final race at Dijon. A cooling problem actually prevented Bladon from starting the race, but he was still confirmed champion by a single point.