A1 Team Ireland was the Irish team of A1 Grand Prix, an international racing series. The team were the A1 Grand Prix champions for the fourth season, 2008-09.
The team Founded by Mark Kershaw and Mark Gallagher in 2005, the team was owned and run by Status Grand Prix. In 2008, Mark Kershaw sold his interest in the team. The new the seat holders were Mark Gallagher, Teddy Yip Jr., John P. Hynes and David Kennedy.A1GP Media Guide 08-09
History The inaugural team's 2005-06 car was presented to the public on 15 September 2005.Team Ireland reveals driver formula3.cc (16 September 2005) For that debut season, Ralph Firman was the team's principal driver, scoring the team its first podium in Portugal to finish 8th overall in the championship. The series organisers awarded the team for being the best presented team,A1 Team Ireland at Eden Rock Sports edenrocksports.com the first of three consecutive wins for A1 Team Ireland.
In its second season, the team did not perform quite as well. The best result achieved that season was fifth place in the Feature race at Shanghai, and the team finished in 19th place.
For the 2007–08 season, Ralph Firman secured some points at the season opener in Zandvoort before Adam Carroll took over as the A1 Team Ireland principal driver. He went on to get four podium finishes in his debut season and record the team's first Feature Race victory in Mexico City. After winning Ireland's Dunlop Racing Driver of the Year, Niall Quinn joined the team as the Rookie Driver. A1 Team Ireland ended Season Three in 6th position, helping them to win the 'Most Improved Team' award at the 2007/08 Gala Awards. A1 Team Ireland have won the A1GP award for best presented team in all three seasons alongside winning the 'Most Appealing Livery' trophy in Season Two.A1GP Media Guide 2008/09 http://www.a1gppress.com/downloads/A1GP-Media-Guide-08-09.pdf
In the 2008–09 season, Adam Carroll returned as lead driver and Niall Quinn as rookie driver. A1 Team Ireland were championship contenders most of the season, and won the championship at the last event of the season at Brands Hatch.
Drivers Name Seasons Rounds(Starts) Titles Wins Sprintwins Featurewins 2nd 3rd Poles FastestLaps PointsAdam Carroll2007-08, 2008-0916 (32 starts)16333366198Michael Devaney2005-06, 2006-077 (14 starts)16Ralph Firman2005-06, 2007-089 (18 starts)1361Richard Lyons2006-077 (14 starts)7
Complete A1 Grand Prix results (key), "spr" indicates the Sprint Race, "fea" indicates the Feature Race. Year Racingteam Chassis,Engine,Tyres Drivers12345678910111213141516171819202122 Points Rank2005–06Status Grand PrixLola,Zytek,Cooper AvonGBRGERPORAUSMYSUAERSAINAMEXUSACHN688thsprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeaMichael Devaney10Ret4144RetRalph Firman96193794Ret4Ret6RetRetRet56 2006–07Status Grand PrixLolaZytekCooper AvonNEDCZEBEIMYSINANZLAUSRSAMEXSHAGBR819thsprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeaMichael Devaney1514131320Ret1410Richard Lyons1712Ret1910Ret6RetRet161258DSQ 2007–08Status Grand PrixLolaZytekCooper AvonNEDCZEMYSZHUNZLAUSRSAMEXSHAGBR946thsprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeaRalph Firman86Adam Carroll367741665151315Ret41113313 2008–09Status Grand PrixFerrari,Ferrari,MichelinNEDCHNMYSNZLRSAPORGBR1121stsprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeasprfeaAdam CarrollRetRet1251124Ret2511
Notes
External links a1teamireland.com Official A1 Team Ireland website edenrocksports.com Eden Rock Sports official website a1gp.com Official A1 Grand Prix Web Site