19/02/2007
NEWS STORY
A1 Team USA will travel to the other side of the globe to Durban, South Africa for the eighth race-and the second street race-of the A1GP season. After a stellar performance in the rookie practice at Eastern Creek, Australia, Driver Jonathan Summerton will be driving the "We the People" car for A1 Team USA.
Summerton represented A1 Team USA as the rookie driver in The Netherlands and the Czech Republic this season, and in October, he won the final F3 Euro Series Race at Hockenheim Circuit in Germany. As A1 Team USA's rookie driver in Australia earlier this month, Summerton made the most of a wet track to finish P1 in the opening practice, posting the best time among eighteen rookie drivers, including several primary team drivers, with a 1:36.569 on the 2.44-mile circuit. Pleased with his performance, A1 Team USA opted to bring Summerton aboard as both the rookie and feature driver in next weekend's race in Durban.
"We made the commitment to develop Jonathan during several A1GP races this season and his performance in Australia showed that our investment in him has the potential to pay big dividends," said A1 Team USA owner Rick Weidinger. "We are really excited about getting Jonathan in the car for the race in Durban. We are due for another podium finish and we hope to see Jonathan up there representing A1 Team USA next Sunday."
Last year's inaugural Durban street race in January 2006 was a sell-out success and was voted the best round of the 11-race 2005/06 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport. Located right on the edge of Indian Ocean, the street circuit for the February 25th race was designed and built with multiple opportunities for passing and hair pin turning.
"I am really looking forward to my debut race in the A1GP series with Team USA," said Summerton. "It is my first race in the car but I still am expecting to finish at the top. I hope to show the team that I am capable of winning and continue my way up to the podium."