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Super Nova boss David Sears says Auto GP must stay affordable

Leading Auto GP team boss David Sears has warned the series that it must not price its teams out of the market when it introduces a new car next year

Series boss Enzo Coloni confirmed last month that the 2013 championship would feature either an updated version of the existing Lola chassis or a completely new machine built by Coloni that will retain the current car's gearbox and Zytek engine.

Super Nova boss Sears echoed many team managers' views by expressing a wish to see the series' current low-cost philosophy retained.

"I am sure from a popularity point of view, if the new car looks like a Formula 1 car then people will like the look," said Sears.

"That's fine, as long as it doesn't whack up the budget, because we are still in a recession. If Auto GP's new car is as good as it looks and is half the price of Formula Renault 3.5, then it is going to attract business from our end.

"For me, the risk is what happened with A1 GP," continued Sears, who fielded A1 GP teams for New Zealand and Germany. "They spent a shed load of money on a car from Ferrari [after three seasons with the car that forms the basis of the current Auto GP model].

"Perhaps it looked a bit prettier, but it caused the downfall of the championship. Sure, change the aero package and this, that and the other, but don't change a concept that works."

Ombra team manager and partner Davide Mazzoleni said that his outfit's future in Auto GP is dependent on budgetary situation in 2013, having left Formula 3 for the same reason last year.

"Auto GP is set on a budget that is very good in the market, so we are really looking to continue next year," he said.

"Whether we do will depend on many aspects, including the organiser's proposals and the market for this type of single-seater racing. We were involved in F3 for many, may years and then F3 came to a difficult period, so now you have to be ready each season to change your programme."

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