Motorsport News: Russ Bond's Weekly Report

A1 for Carpentier

Few things in life - motorsports or otherwise - are more emotionally laden than representing your country. For Joliette, Quebec's

Canadian Patrick Carpentier will strap on Team Canada's A1GP car forrounds nine and ten of the A1 Grand Prix series. (Photo:RussBondAgency.com)

Patrick Carpentier, he will feel that emotion for two upcoming races, as he straps on Team Canada's A1GP car for rounds nine and ten of the A1 Grand Prix series, the races at Fundidora Park in Monterrey, Mexico on February 26 and Laguna Seca in California on March 12. Regular driver Sean McIntosh will continue to represent the team in the two rounds before then, in South Africa on January 29 then Indonesia on February12.

"Exactly, I like the concept," said Carpentier at a recent lunch in Toronto. "When I was speed skating, it was the same thing; you represented the country you were with. It will be fun, you know, we are going to have the Canadian flag on our suit and the car, and it feels like the nation is behind you."

Carpentier

Racing legend John Surtees, the only person to ever win both Formula 1 and Grand Prix motorcycle championships, joined Carpentier for the A1GP announcement.(Photo: RussBondAgency.com)

would also like to see some other top flight Canadian drivers take a shot at the A1 format, as the car scores the points, not the drivers.

"Hopefully this will help A1 bring some more drivers to the series, like Paul Tracy for a couple of races, and [Alex] Tagliani, [Andrew] Ranger - and that would make it really Team Canada, and that is what I am hoping for."

Carpentier can draw on his speed skating experience to calm the nerves of racing for his country, but he isn't even worried about that aspect.

"For me, honestly, I want to have fun and do these two races before the season in Champcar or IRL. I just want to have fun and bring the car up to the front as close as I can. I know the two tracks well, so I just have to learn the car."

While

Carpentier no doubt looks forward to Laguna Seca, as it could be argued as one of his best tracks. (Photo:RussBondAgency.com)

Carpentier may feel comfortable at Monterrey, he will no doubt have a circle around the date at Laguna Seca, as it could be argued as one of his best tracks.

"Laguna Seca is a good track. Monterrey we have done well too, but Laguna, we haven't lost in the last few years there in Champcar.

"I love the track and know some of the other quick guys from the IRL are going to be representing their countries that weekend, so it's going to be a lot of fun."

Carpentier will add a much needed 'visible' boost to the Canadian team, as a world class open wheel driver will garner the team some much needed press here at home. The A1 GP races aren't aired on television here yet, but the team is working on making that happen.

As

Carpentier will add a much needed 'visible' boost to the Canadian team. (Photo:RussBondAgency.com)

for the series on the whole, it seems to be gaining momentum. There are 25 countries represented, and when you look down the driver list, there are some recognizable names. But the main attraction for the teams, who have to find their own funding, is worldwide corporate support. For instance, a Canadian company, that wants to develop its global connections, could do themselves a huge service to get hold of the A1 Canada team. That is one of the goals of the series, to open up the 'boarders' of international commerce - plus there just happens to be a pretty good race going on during the same weekend.