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DRIVERS Drivers in the series include Nigel Mansell , Alain Prost , Emerson Fittipaldi , Alan Jones , Andrea De Cesaris , Patrick Tambay , Riccardo Patrese , Derek Warwick , Rene Arnoux , Stefan Johansson , Jan Lammers , Hans-Joachim Stuck , and Alex Caffi . CAR All participants race identical 80-degree 3.5-litre V8 Engines produced by Nicholson McLaren . The engines are based on the Cosworth XB engines previously used in Indycar racing, and according to the series organisers produce more than 650 Bhp at 10,400rpm with over 320lbft Torque at 7,800rpm. Gearbox operation is fully manual, and controlled by a contemporary paddle shift arrangement. Grand Prix Masters promoters boast the 650kg cars will reach 200mph. They claim that the combination of stable Aerodynamics and considerably simpler technology than is in use in modern Formula One will better demonstrate driver skill and promote overtaking. Electronic 'drivers aids' (such as Traction Control , Power Steering and ABS ) are absent, and Brakes are made of steel rather than carbon (as is used for many contemporary Single Seater race cars) to increase braking distances. CONCEPT Grand Prix Masters is modelled on the lucrative seniors tours of golf and tennis. Drivers must have competed in Formula One, and be 45 years of age or older to compete. This year the series will expand beyond the one race to a five race mini series. CONTROVERSY There have been questions surrounding the fitness of the former Formula One stars who will race in the series. Participant Christian Danner questioned the ability of 1980 World Champion Alan Jones and former GP winner Patrick Tambay in particular, given the rapid expansion of these drivers' waistlines since retiring from racing. Jones hit back claiming the only time Danner had seen a Grand Prix podium was when he passed it on the way to the lavatory. Jones' highly embarrassing lack of fitness at the first GP Masters event would suggest Danner's assessment was correct. Alain Prost had been scheduled to take part in the first GP Masters event but pulled out. He was rumoured to be unhappy about his fee for the race. ON TRACK The Grand Prix Masters car first ran in late-September 2005 in the hands of Delta Motorsport {Link without Title} Operations Director Simon Dowson. He reported a successful shakedown, despite appearing to sit very high in the car, his helmet appearing to sit level with the top of the roll-over hoop. In mid-October 2005 Nigel Mansell and Rene Arnoux tested the car at the Pembrey circuit in South Wales . 26 October 2005 saw the first multi-car test for Grand Prix Masters with de Cesaris, Mansell, Johansson, Warwick, Caffi, Stuck, Tambay and Danner running at the Silverstone circuit in England. De Cesaris was fastest, Danner slowest while Tambay crashed. FIRST RACE The first event took place at Kyalami in South Africa on 13 November , 2005 . Nigel Mansell took pole then won after battling hard with Emerson Fittipaldi. Riccardo Patrese was third. Andrea de Cesaris finished fourth after a storming drive, where he pushed past Derek Warwick. Stefan Johansson spun out early on. Jacques Laffite retired with damaged right-front suspension after colliding with Rene Arnoux. As predicted, Alan Jones proved hugely unfit. In practice he was up to ten seconds off the pace of Mansell, before pulling out of the race to save face. The official reason offered was that Jones had injured his portly neck. He was replaced by Eliseo Salazar , a driver of considerably lesser achievement. 2006 CALENDAR In January 2006 GP Masters announced it will hold events in the following venues: Losail (Qatar), 29th April Monza (Italy), 18th June Silverstone (UK), 13th August Kyalami (South Africa), 12th November Another race is also scheduled for 1st October, at a venue yet to be revealed. TV As Television deals are soon to be announced, the only known broadcaster so far is Sky Sports (Pay TV) in the UK - dashing any hopes of a free-to-air deal - which was enjoyed for the Kyalami 2005 race. Murray Walker will continue to comentate on the series. RESULTS 13 November 2005 EXTERNAL LINKS
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