Simon Pagenaud has earned Team Australia's first ever victory by winning Round 8 of the Champ Car Atlantic Championship in Edmonton, Canada. source: teamaustraliamotorsport.com The Frenchman qualified second for the race and sat in that position for much of the event. Pagenaud ran close behind race leader Raphael Matos lap after lap but could not edge close enough to make a passing attempt. Bu on lap 29 of the 36-lap event, Matos ran wide at Turn 12 and hit the concrete wall, breaking his suspension and leading him to spin at the next corner. The mistake gave Pagenaud the race lead and he went on to give the Team Australia/Aussie Vineyards squad it's first win since the birth of the exciting operation in 2005. Pagenaud's win extends his lead in the Atlantic championship with four rounds remaining in the competitive series, which awards $US2million to the champion to put towards a drive in the 2007 Champ Car World Series. Pagenuad's win gave this weekend's round a familiar feel, as the Atlantic round was held after the Champ Car World Series race in Edmonton. The Champ Car community have grown accustomed to seeing a Frenchman stand on the top step of the podium at the end of the weekend, but instead of two-time and defending Champ Car World Series Champion Sebastien Bourdais, it was his protégé and countryman Pagenaud in the green and gold of Team Australia. The Team Australia driver's parents, Christian and Sylvie, and Pagenaud's girlfriend Lucie were all on hand to see Pagenaud's first Atlantic victory in Edmonton, making the win extra special for the Frenchman. Team Australia's James Davison also had a strong run, finishing 13th at the demanding JAGflo Speedway in Edmonton. The young Aussie Vineyards driver started 16th in the grid and gained three positions throughout the race, rising one position in the championship to 16th in a year where the Victorian is learning a lot and constantly improving. Team Australia's Champ Car Atlantic squad returns to action next weekend for Round 9 of the Champ Car Atlantic Championship at the Grand Prix of San Jose.
Recent Articles
|
Racing Multimedia
Recommendations |