Nitro SuperGP newsletter 2009-07-13

QUOTE SHEET: ALAN JONES ON MARK WEBBER AND NITRO SUPERGP

Australian 1980 Formula One World Champion Alan Jones was available in the Nitro SuperGP pit lane today to comment on Mark Webber's historic overnight Formula One win in Germany. Please see below for a selection of quote's from the press call.

Webber secured his maiden Formula One victory and Australia's first since Jones won at Las Vegas in the 1981 United States Grand Prix, leading team-mate Sebastian Vettel across the line after qualifying on pole.

Jones resides on the Gold Coast and is the seat holder for A1 Team Australia in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport series, which will visit the streets of Surfers Paradise for the first time this October 22-25 as co-headline act alongside the Australian V8 Supercars Championship Series.

WHAT HE HAD TO SAY...

On Mark Webber's win:

"We certainly tuned in to watch the race and were having a BBQ at the same time, and the BBQ ended up running a fair bit longer than anticipated," said Jones.

"It is great news, Mark has been in something like 130 Grand Prix and while he has led races in the past hasn't been able to convert it often through no fault of his own, so it is great to see him breakthrough for the win.

"I am sure it isn't going to be the last, and it will give him a big confidence boost for the rest of the year.

"While a championship this year isn't probable, as Jensen Button would have to make some pretty big mistakes and Webber string together quite a few wins for it to happen at this point, it will certainly set him up well for next year.

"I am absolutely delighted with the result, I love to see any Australian perform well overseas in any sport, and particularly in motorsport -- to see Mark win his first Grand Prix and be one of only three Australians who have done so is just great, hopefully he can become the third Australian to win a world championship in the near future.

"It is great news across the board, and I hope it will encourage more young racers in Australia to give it a go as they can see that Mark Webber has been able to do it, and I would hope that Mark's achievement would encourage more of corporate Australia to get behind the young racers trying to make it.

On the upcoming Nitro SuperGP:

"Everyone I talk to says they are coming to check out the race this October, and with the 100 day countdown kicking off tomorrow I am getting pretty excited," said Jones.

"It is getting busier for us by the day, and it is sure to be a great event and I am looking forward to seeing A1GP on-track in the Ferrari-powered cars.

"The V8 Supercars have always put on a great show and adding A1GP World Cup of Motorsport to the mix I am sure the fans will not be disappointed.

"It will also be great to see the event getting international coverage through A1GP, and over 20 different nations competing and with that spectacle combined with the show of the V8s it is going to be great.

"I will be interested to see what people have to say about A1GP in the weeks following the event -- I am sure they won't be disappointed as there will be something for everyone."

-credit: supergp.com