Surtees backs Laguna race decision

As revealed by autosport.com yesterday, organisers had informed all teams and operational staff that the meeting was cancelled because of safety concerns relating to the upgrades of the track and run-off areas.

These had been delayed by heavy storms at the California track last week, causing damage to the run-off areas and delaying further work on the circuit.

A1 GP organisers initially believed that the work could not be completed in time before first practice on Friday, however, they reversed that decision 24 hours later after receiving assurances from Laguna Seca officials.

They then told all nations that it would, in fact, be business as usual for the penultimate round of the self-proclaimed World Cup of Motorsport.

If the event had been shelved, it would have been the third race of the twelve in the inaugural season to hit trouble.

The Brazilian round was cancelled earlier in the season because of track licensing problems, and the Indonesian round was postponed by a month at the eleventh hour because of the death of Dubai Emir Sheik Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the uncle of series founder Sheik Maktoum.

Surtees reckoned that if the race had been cancelled, it would have been hurtful to the sport.

"On Friday it was on, then on Saturday it was off, but on Sunday it was on again." Surtees told autosport.com. "It has consumed a fair amount of time this weekend.

"I hate to see any form of disruption. Not so much that the event came and went but it would have been more of a question of what people would have perceived if it hadn't have gone ahead. There would have been all sorts of conjecture.

"The trouble would have been that people would have then read all sorts of things into that weren't there.

"I think that it would have been very disappointing not to have had it. I now look forward to a strong end to the season for the last two events. A1 Grand Prix has so far gone along to circuits not normally part of a World Series and it has given opportunities for drivers to see other circuits.

"It is a new public and that does have its risks and all circuits are trying to get themselves all prepared for their busy times. When we came along here the weather was against us but these sorts of things can happen."

Surtees added that if he believes that the track work was unsafe when he arrives in California on Thursday, he will ensure his voice is heard by race organisers.

"Until I get there I won't know how good the work is but I wouldn't think that the people on site would have compromised the situation," he said.

"It must be alright, but I'll know when I see it on Thursday. If there is anything doubtful we will say it."