WELLINGTON, Jan 17: A1 Team Pakistan will be back in racing action this weekend, following a five week break over the New Year period.

The fifth of 10 races on the A1GP calendar, the team near the half way point of the season and travel to New Zealand to compete against 21 other nations from around the globe.

The 2008 A1GP, Taupo, New Zealand, marks the series’ second visit to the northern island. The Taupo circuit held its first A1GP event a year ago, providing an exciting race watched by an enthusiastic crowd in some of the most spectacular surroundings visited by the A1GP series.

A1GP became the largest international series to visit Taupo in January 2007, when the teams arrived at what was essentially a brand new track. Having undergone a $12.5 million face-lift, the circuit was transformed from a modest club circuit to a fantastic racing facility built to the standards required by the A1GP series.

The New Year will also see a new development for the A1GP cars. The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport will become the first global racing series to race on a mixture of 30 per cent bio-fuel mix this weekend, as part of A1GP’s Think Greener Racing campaign.

Having previously raced for A1 Team Pakistan in the first season of A1GP and missed season two, Pakistan driver Adam Khan will make his first visit to Taupo this weekend.

Adam commented, “I can’t wait to get back to racing this weekend. It seems a long time since our last race in China. Although the break has given me a great opportunity to catch up with friends and family and importantly continue work on my fitness, nothing compares to the thrill of being at the race track.

“Again, like three of the four previous rounds, Taupo will be a new experience for me. While many of other drivers raced here last year, I’ll get my first taste of the circuit on Friday afternoon, but with the team’s help I’m confident that we will be up to speed quickly.”

A1 Team Pakistan seatholder Arif Husain added, “The entire team is eager to get the second half of the season underway now, following a prolonged period off-track. We’re keen to get the New Year off to the best possible start by challenging for points and making Pakistan proud.”

The team will be on track for practice on Friday Jan 18, before the final practice and qualifying on Saturday afternoon. The 20 minute Sprint race will begin at 11.00 and the weekend will conclude with the gruelling 70 Feature race at 3.00 local time.—Agencies