23/08/2006
NEWS STORY
Looking to build on its tenth place standing in last season's inaugural A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, A1 Team Canada fires back into life next week, Wednesday 30th – Thursday 31st August, at Silverstone with two days of official pre-season testing.
Canadian stand-outs Sean McIntosh (21) and James Hinchcliffe (19) have been confirmed for the test with Vancouver's McIntosh back in an A1GP car for the first time since he scored a thrilling last-to-first victory in Round 8's Feature race in Indonesia in February. McIntosh's win, A1 Team Canada's first in the open-wheel racing series that pitches nation against nation, came in his last outing for the team before handing over to Québec's Patrick Carpentier for the final three rounds.
Currently racing in the European-based World Series by Renault, where he sits seventh overall in the Driver Standings in a highly competitive international field, Sean's looking forward to being reunited with the Canadian A1GP entry he steered to a total of nine top-ten finishes last season, including his Indonesian victory and a
third place podium effort in just the second round in Germany last October.
"It's hard to believe it's been six months since I sat in the car so it's not hard to believe I can't wait to get back in it," stated McIntosh. "Obviously I've got a lot more
experience under my belt since starting last season's A1GP Championship and I know Silverstone pretty well from my time competing in Formula Renault UK. With this being the only pre-season test scheduled we have to make sure we maximize our running time with the car and improving it ahead of the first race in October. Consistency will be key to putting together a championship bid, we know we can win races but we have to be up there at every race!"
Toronto's James Hinchcliffe returns to the United Kingdom for his second taste of A1GP having first tested with A1 Team Canada at a private session in Wales last month. Hinchcliffe, a multiple race winner in Formula BMW USA, Star Mazda and the Champ Car Atlantic Series over the past three seasons, is suitably pleased to be asked back to represent Canada.
"It's an honor to represent your country and for me to be able to test at Silverstone is really the icing on the cake,' Hinchcliffe declared. "I'm looking forward to working with the guys on the team again after a pretty successful test at Pembrey a few weeks ago. It's good to have Sean there as well as the rest of the A1GP field as a benchmark to where I'm at with developing the car. I'm sure I'll learn a lot from Sean so I'm looking forward to teaming up with him at Silverstone!"
Québec's Kevin Lacroix was also present at last month's Pembrey test alongside James Hinchcliffe. The 17-year-old from St.Eustache, who lies third in the 2006 Star Mazda Series, impressed A1 Team Canada management and they continue to monitor his progress in North America. Lacroix is unable to test for A1 Team Canada at Silverstone next week as he prepares to race in Round 10 of the Star Mazda Series at Mosport in Canada, 2nd-3rd September.