RSPORTS team ready to get back into action
It has been quite a busy couple of months for the RSPORTS team and its drivers. After starting the season in April with three races in a row, the team did not take a break in between Round 3 and 4 of the 2007 Champ Car World Series to relax. Instead, early on in the month the squad took to the Portland International Raceway for some testing time and a chance to prepare for the upcoming Mazda Grand Prix of Portland Presented by Joe’s Sports and Outdoor on June 10. Over the last two weeks, the drivers have been busy promoting the series and its upcoming events which saw Tagliani in Canada hitting the Toronto and Montreal markets, while Wilson headed overseas to take part in the Champ Car European Tour which visited the major European cities of London, Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris.
Now the team and drivers get back on track, literally, for the upcoming season as they head north of the border to the historic Circuit Mont-Tremblant, future site of the inaugural Grand Prix of Mont-Tremblant, June 29 – July 1.
Circuit Mont-Tremblant is located in the picturesque Laurentian Mountain. The track is a twisty 15-corner design which utilizes the natural topography of the land and is considered one of the finest and most demanding circuits in the world. The hillsides around the track provide natural grandstands affording spectators with magnificent elevated vantage points. The first event was held on August 3, 1964, on the short 12-turn, 1.5-mile circuit (north loop). In 1965, the circuit was expanded to its current 2.65-mile layout. The Champ Car World Series returns to the famed circuit after almost four decades since their first-ever race in the Province of Quebec.
Eight-year Champ Car veteran Tagliani looks forward to his return on what he can call a home-town track. The Montreal, Quebec-native has had the honor to race at the famed venue in the past during his Atlantic Championship racing days and is quite excited for his homecoming in a Champ Car.
“I am very excited, the test and race is going to be a lot of fun," said Tagliani. “There is a lot of tradition in Tremblant, there have been very big races held at this venue with Formula One and the Atlantic Series. Circuit Mont-Tremblant is a unique track with many features that are interesting for the driver, and the scenery is just magnificent for fans. It is great that Champ Car has the opportunity to showcase such a wonderful product on a track like this. It is just amazing; everyone will really be able to appreciate the power, speed, and performance of a Champ Car.
We are very privileged that Lawrence Stroll is willing to open up his wonderful track for such a big event like Champ Car. We really appreciate it, and it is going to be very exciting with the association with Cirque du Soleil. That is going to be something very exclusive and it should be great for everyone who comes out for the race weekend because it is going to be a true festival of speed. Cirque du Soleil will provide the festival atmosphere, while Lawrence and Champ Car provide the speed."
Tagliani, who pilots the #8 RSPORTS Cosworth/DP01/Bridgestone, added, “I hope that we can get a lot accomplished during the two days of testing this week. We will be working hard to find a good car for this specific track, which will help us when we return for the race in July, while preparing us for future road courses that we will be competing on this season."
Driver of the #9 CDW RSPORTS Cosworth/DP01/Bridgestone, Wilson, is also looking forward to this test and trying out the track for the first time.
“I have not had the chance to race at this venue in the past, so I am quite excited to see what it is all about. I have heard nothing but good things about the racetrack, and from the photos that I have seen it looks like an interesting circuit to drive. Hopefully we can learn some good things that will help us for not only the Mont-Tremblant race, but for the rest of the year."
The duo will take to the track in their RSPORTS Cosworth/DP01/Bridgestone Champ Cars today and tomorrow. The green flag for the Champ Car World Series will drop again on June 10 for Round 4 of the 2007 season in Portland Oregon, kicking off an exciting summer of open-wheel racing throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, China, and Mexico.