A1 TEAM CANADA LOOKING FOR STREET-WISE FINISH IN SOUTH AFRICA

Courtesy Stuart Morrison Public Relations

Durban, South Africa (January 25, 2006) – The streets of Durban, South Africa have the honor of hosting the first A1 Grand Prix of Nations event of 2006 as the ‘World Cup of Motorsport’ resumes this weekend, 27th-29th January, following a six-week break. A1 Team Canada’s Sean McIntosh is particularly keen to hit the temporary 3.2-km track in Durban having experienced the excitement of street racing earlier in his career in North America.

With the first six rounds of the A1 Grand Prix Series visiting established permanent circuits such as Brands Hatch in England or Sepang in Malaysia, Sunday’s Sprint and Feature races will provide the competing nations a whole new perspective as they tackle the streets of Durban’s spectacular ocean front developments. The track, purpose built for the seventh round of the A1 Grand Prix Series, looks set to test even the most experienced drivers but A1 Team Canada’s Sean McIntosh has already proven himself a winner in street racing.

Victory in the Molson Indy Vancouver Fran-Am 2000 support race back in 2002 proved especially sweet for Sean as it was his first win in the category and he triumphed in front of his home crowd. With additional street starts in Toronto and Denver, the 20-year-old Canadian is hoping to put his experience to good use when he takes to the Durban track for the first time on Friday morning.

Previewing the South African round Sean commented:
“I’m looking forward to getting my first viewing of the track as all I’ve seen so far are pictures. From what I can tell it looks like a pretty interesting configuration and to be racing by the ocean is quite spectacular. I’ve obviously sampled street racing from my time competing in North America and I always enjoyed those races and had some success. Ultimately the principles remain the same but there’s a lot more to take in while learning the circuit, the margin for error is significantly reduced by the confines of the track!

“The South African’s are serious about their racing so I’m expecting a good crowd and a great atmosphere this weekend. Our layoff since we last raced in Dubai was slightly longer than expected with the postponement of the Indonesian round but I’m raring to go and can’t wait to get back into the A1 Team Canada car and build on our tenth place standing in the championship points.”

Last week it was announced that Sean McIntosh will be joined in representing A1 Team Canada by Patrick Carpentier (Joliette, Québec). Carpentier, a five-time Champ Car winner, will race for Canada in Rounds 9 and 10 of the A1GP Series in Mexico and the USA.