Newsroom
AUSSIES ON FIRE IN CHAMP CAR WORLD SERIES
Tuesday, 3 July 2007
Australian Champ Car World Series team owner Paul Stoddart has recorded an historic first victory in the International open wheel series, following Dutchman Robert Doornbos’ scintillating chequered flag finish in the sixth round of the series at Circuit Mont-Tremblant in Canada.
Stoddart, who oversees the operation of Team Minardi USA, becomes the second Australian team owner to claim outright honours in the 2007 Champ Car World Series.
Team Australia co-owner Craig Gore of the Gold Coast achieved the same feat earlier this year when Queensland driver Will Power charged to victory during the opening round of the series in Las Vegas.
With team owners and drivers from Down Under already making their mark this year, Australia versus the rest of the World will provide an intense motor racing environment come October 18-21, when the Gold Coast welcomes all Champ Car drivers for the 17th running of the Lexmark Indy 300 on the streets of Surfers Paradise.
During the weekend it was anything but a Canada Day parade on Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant as Doornbos (#14 Minardi Team USA) battled the weather as well as open wheel’s best drivers to claim his first career Champ Car victory.
The 25-year-old Dutchman was involved in wheel-to-wheel fights throughout the day and emerged victorious on the 2.65-mile (4.26km) mountainous circuit in the heart of the Laurentians.
The start of the race was far from spectacular for the front row as Tristan Gommendy (#22 Pay By Touch-Megaspiera) failed to roll off the grid with an electrical problem and Team Australia’s Will Power (#5 Aussie Vineyards) stalled when the lights extinguished.
The Australian slowly started to work his way through the field making an impressive pass of Paul Tracy (#3 Indeck) on lap 14 for the tenth position.
As drizzling rain fell over the track many of the heavyweights succumbed to the conditions with three-time champion Sebastien Bourdais and Power spinning off before the entire field opted for Bridgestone Potenza rain tyres trying to gain as much traction as they could.
Doornbos inherited the lead on lap 53 and was beginning to pull away before the final full course yellow brought Bourdais right back to his tail.
The caution set-up a five lap duel between Doornbos and Bourdais with the experienced rookie able to hold off the champion with Will Power claiming his third podium finish.
Power and Simon Pagenaud not only overcame difficulities at the start to earn third and fourth place finishes respectively but put Team Australia in the drivers seat after the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown.
With the win Doornbos moves into a tie with Bourdais for the series championship lead at 145 points. Will Power is third just 14 points in arrears with RSPORTS teammates Justin Wilson and Alex Tagliani fourth and fifth.
There is no rest for teams and drivers as they move to their third race in as many weeks with the Steelback Grand Prix of Toronto. Round 7 on the Champ Car World Series calendar will take place on the temporary circuit built at Exhibition Place.
Back | Back to top
Stoddart, who oversees the operation of Team Minardi USA, becomes the second Australian team owner to claim outright honours in the 2007 Champ Car World Series.
Team Australia co-owner Craig Gore of the Gold Coast achieved the same feat earlier this year when Queensland driver Will Power charged to victory during the opening round of the series in Las Vegas.
With team owners and drivers from Down Under already making their mark this year, Australia versus the rest of the World will provide an intense motor racing environment come October 18-21, when the Gold Coast welcomes all Champ Car drivers for the 17th running of the Lexmark Indy 300 on the streets of Surfers Paradise.
During the weekend it was anything but a Canada Day parade on Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant as Doornbos (#14 Minardi Team USA) battled the weather as well as open wheel’s best drivers to claim his first career Champ Car victory.
The 25-year-old Dutchman was involved in wheel-to-wheel fights throughout the day and emerged victorious on the 2.65-mile (4.26km) mountainous circuit in the heart of the Laurentians.
The start of the race was far from spectacular for the front row as Tristan Gommendy (#22 Pay By Touch-Megaspiera) failed to roll off the grid with an electrical problem and Team Australia’s Will Power (#5 Aussie Vineyards) stalled when the lights extinguished.
The Australian slowly started to work his way through the field making an impressive pass of Paul Tracy (#3 Indeck) on lap 14 for the tenth position.
As drizzling rain fell over the track many of the heavyweights succumbed to the conditions with three-time champion Sebastien Bourdais and Power spinning off before the entire field opted for Bridgestone Potenza rain tyres trying to gain as much traction as they could.
Doornbos inherited the lead on lap 53 and was beginning to pull away before the final full course yellow brought Bourdais right back to his tail.
The caution set-up a five lap duel between Doornbos and Bourdais with the experienced rookie able to hold off the champion with Will Power claiming his third podium finish.
Power and Simon Pagenaud not only overcame difficulities at the start to earn third and fourth place finishes respectively but put Team Australia in the drivers seat after the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown.
With the win Doornbos moves into a tie with Bourdais for the series championship lead at 145 points. Will Power is third just 14 points in arrears with RSPORTS teammates Justin Wilson and Alex Tagliani fourth and fifth.
There is no rest for teams and drivers as they move to their third race in as many weeks with the Steelback Grand Prix of Toronto. Round 7 on the Champ Car World Series calendar will take place on the temporary circuit built at Exhibition Place.
Back | Back to top
RSS