MINARDI TEAM USA PREPARES AS MONT-TREMBLANT BECKONS source: minarditeamusa.com Minardi Team USA drivers Robert Doornbos and Dan Clarke are taking a couple of days R & R following last weekend's exciting race in Cleveland and before heading to the next event, at Quebec's challenging Mont-Tremblant circuit. Robert claimed his fourth podium finish in just five races last weekend, and moved into second place in the Champ Car World Series standings. He is now hot on the heels of three-time champion, Sebastien Bourdais, just three points behind. Robert headed to Canada soon after the Cleveland race was over. Once there, he will be doing some training in the mountains, as physical preparation is very much a regular part of his race-weekend routine. The aim is to acclimatize himself to the specific environment in which he will be competing before ever setting foot in a race-car. Robert is also enjoying the company of his girlfriend, who has come out from Holland for this three race stint, and despite his rigorous preparation regime, he has promised to take at least one day off to do some sightseeing with her in the beautiful area around Mont-Tremblant. Robert Doornbos #14 "I am looking forward to Mont-Tremblant a lot, because it's very similar to my favorite track, Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. Also it's like being in the Ardennes, in the mountains. It's great with the difference in height. We did one day of testing there in May and the car was quite quick. We were fastest on the first day. "It's nice to come from the city (Montreal) where I have been the past few days to go to the nice, green countryside around Mont-Tremblant. It's a lovely environment to have a race. We had another good result last weekend, and the team is highly motivated. I'm looking forward to the race for sure." 'Speedy' Dan also headed north early this week for some R&R of his own. He traveled with one of his crew members to a lakeside cottage north of Toronto for some fun in the sun, wakeboarding and jet-skiing. Dan was quite happy with the car and the circuit when the team tested at Mont-Tremblant in May, and is looking forward to getting back in the cockpit this weekend for what is certain to be an exciting weekend's racing on this classic road course. 'Speedy' Dan Clarke #4 "I'm aiming to carry the momentum that we gained in the last two races. I'm sorry for the team and annoyed with myself for the mistake I made in Cleveland, but we know we have the speed, especially at the Circuit Mont-Tremblant. Both Robert and I were quick there at the test, and I know we have improved since then. It's nice to be able to spend a few days seeing the sights on our way to the track, and I'm taking the time to prepare myself for another competitive race weekend."
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