A1
TEAM AUSTRALIA APPOINTS NEW BUSINESS HEAD - NOV 13, 2005
- SYDNEY -- November
3, 2005: With the A1 Grand Prix of Nations beginning tomorrow in
Australia, the corporate structure of the Australian operation has
been strengthened by the appointment of Roy Pater as Chief Executive
Officer.
- Pater, with
a strong business background in the IT&T and automotive sectors
will be CEO of A1 Team Australia and a Director of A1GP of Nations,
Australia Pty Ltd., the company established to run the Australian
leg of the 12 race 'World Cup of Motorsport' series.
- The former
South African, who is now an Australian citizen, will work alongside
A1 Team Australia's Team Principal, 1980 World Formula 1 Champion,
Alan Jones and Director Peter Nolan in over-seeing the business
of A1 Team Australia and the A1 Grand Prix of Nations at Eastern
Creek this weekend.
- "A1 Team
Australia has a very strong background in Motorsport," said
Pater. "Alan Jones is one of the most respected authorities
on motorsport worldwide and Alan Docking Racing is well renowned
as one of the best open-wheel teams in the world. My role will be
to facilitate the business side of A1 Grand Prix in Australia and
build A1 Team Australia into a viable enterprise for all the stakeholders
involved."
- Throughout
his career, Pater, who moved from South Africa to Australia in 2000
has specialised in startup companies, particularly in Asia Pacific
and South Africa, having successfully established three profitable
startup companies, something he relates to A1 Grand Prix.
- "A1 Grand
Prix is a very new company. In a very short time, it has established
a business model covering 25 national franchises, 12 events around
the globe, all being overseen by a global office. That would be
a massive undertaking in five years, so my challenge is to make
the Australian arm profitable and establish a solid strategic local
business model."
- Under the A1
Grand Prix system, each of the 25 nations involved are responsible
for the sponsorship and broadcast rights in their country of origin.
- "When
His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum and Tony Teixeira
established the A1 Grand Prix franchise model, the idea was that
each country would be responsible for making the business profitable.
- "My aim
is highly ambitious. I, like Alan and the rest of the team, are
firmly focused on bringing The World Cup of Motorsport downunder
and keep it down here. We have a good shot at achieving our aim
with a strong management team under the leadership of Alan Jones,
A1 Team Australia chairman and Seatholder, Peter Nolan, General
Manager and Director with the physical race team led by Alan Docking
Racing, which makes for a great mix of business and motorsport talent."
- "My background
is in IT, being the first to launch wireless Internet globally.
It is one of the most dynamic, fast-paced industries in the world
where being at the cutting edge is imperative. In many respects,
no different to motorsport.
- "A1GP
is a business and like all businesses, it needs to be profitable.
I want to build A1 Team Australia and A1GP of Nations, Australia
Pty Ltd into solid, profitable business models.
- "Our goal
is to make Australia proud of A1 Team Australia and A1 Team Australia
proud to represent our nation. For me, to be involved in my passion,
which is motorsport, is a lifelong dream come true. The fact that
I can represent my new country, Australia, in the process is a great
privilege and something that I am extremely proud of."
- A1 Grand Prix
is the first time in any area of motorsport where nations can race
nations on a level playing field. The fourth round of 12 globally
will be held at Eastern Creek International Raceway across the weekend
of November 4-6, 2005.
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