16/03/2007
NEWS STORY
Next week, A1 Team USA travels south of the border for the ninth race of the A1GP season to be held in Mexico City on March 25, 2007. Jonathan Summerton will be returning as A1 Team USA's driver following a trying race in Durban, South Africa last month. This will be the fifth racing event and the second feature race for Jonathan in the "We the People" car for A1 Team USA.
On February 25, 2007, Summerton's Feature Race in Durban came to an unexpected end when the TEAM USA car suffered a puncture to the right rear tire, propelling the car into the concrete barriers. Summerton escaped serious injury as he was advancing from 20th to 7th place. He had just 12 laps to go and on his way to an expected top 5 finish while completing fastest laps on the track at the time.
Summerton also represented A1 Team USA as the rookie driver in The Netherlands and the Czech Republic earlier 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 the Australian A1GP in February, Summerton finished P1 in the opening practice.
"I am definitely looking forward to the race in Mexico City--it is supposed to be a very fast track," said Summerton. "After the accident in South Africa, I'm really ready to climb back in the driver's seat. I can't wait to race in Mexico City."
"We were especially glad to hear that Jonathan was healthy after the Durban accident. He was examined and re-examined by doctors and participated in a test in California last week where he performed for two days without pain or discomfort." said A1 Team USA owner Rick Weidinger. "He gave us bit of a scare in the last A1GP race, but all-in-all the week was productive in Jonathan's development for A1 Team USA and we plan to build from there. Driver development is a keystone to the A1 Team USA business. We are also looking forward to racing at Circuit Hermanos Rodriguez. It's a new track for this series and has a reputation for being extremely challenging. It looks to be a really exciting week. A1 Team USA will be participating in a special event in Mexico City that we will announce next week."
The circuit in Mexico City is one of the most technically-demanding tracks A1GP visits this season. The altitude of 7500ft above sea level robs the engine of horsepower while simultaneously taking away precious downforce. The bumpy surface, long straightaways, and many tight turns combine to give the engineers many challenges. And with emphasis placed on driver skill, there are many special conditions that the drivers must consider, given the oxygen-starved setting and the frightening final turn - Peraltada: 180° of torture for tires and drivers alike.