Montréal, Canada (January 15, 2008) - In recognition of their sterling on-track efforts in 2007, A1 Team Canada racers James Hinchcliffe and Robert Wickens have found themselves nominated in the 'Canadian Road Racer of the Year' category in this year's Inside Track Readers' Choice Awards Presented by Castrol.
The annual poll, now in its sixth year, is hosted by Inside Track magazine, one of Canada's premier monthly motorsport publications, and voted for by its readers. Boasting a variety of categories to showcase Canada's leading motorsport talents competing on four wheels and two, at home and abroad, the voting opened this week at www.insidetracknews.com and will remain open until Friday 14th March 2008.
Robert Wickens, who won the 'Up and Coming Road Racer of the Year' award in last year's voting, was nominated for this year's 'Canadian Road Racer of the Year' award based on his third place finish in the 2007 Champ Car Atlantic Championship. The 18-year-old enjoyed an impressive rookie campaign scoring a maiden victory in Portland with three additional podiums and a pole position to his credit at season's end. Wickens was subsequently awarded the 'BBS Rising Star' award for his performances.
The talented teen made his competitive A1GP debut last November and duly steered A1 Team Canada to a third place Sprint podium in Round 3 at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, Canada's highest placing to-date in the 2007-08 season.
James Hinchcliffe, also nominated in the 'Canadian Road Racer of the Year' category, scored a total of five podium finishes and three pole positions on his way to fourth overall in the 2007 Champ Car Atlantic Championship, his sophomore season in the series. The highlight of his season came as he won the 'Gilles Villeneuve Award' at the end of season banquet, traditionally given to the driver who posses extraordinary ability, star quality and who has distinguished himself through sportsmanship, dedication and perseverance in the face of disappointment.
Hinchcliffe's performances for A1 Team Canada have been no less impressive, the 21-year-old scoring Canada's sole podium in the 2006-07 A1GP season courtesy of a second place Sprint podium in just his second start in the nation versus nation series. His efforts last season, including seven top-ten finishes, helped Canada to an 11th place finish in the Nations Standings and he kicked off the 2007-08 A1GP season piloting the Canadian entry in The Netherlands and the Czech Republic.
Robert Wickens will once again lead Canada's A1GP charge as Round 5 of the 2007-08 season takes place this weekend at Taupo Motorsports Park in New Zealand, Friday 18th - Sunday 20th January.
To vote for Robert or James for 'Canadian Road Racer of the Year' and to check out all the categories in this year's Inside Track Readers' Choice Awards please log on to - www.insidetracknews.com // ENDS - www.a1teamcan.com
Photo Credit: 'A1 Team Canada's Wickens (left) and Hinchcliffe (right)' - Jakob Ebrey Photography
Copyright-free A1 Team Canada images are available for download at www.a1gp-photo.com/can
From: A1 Team Canada Relations: Stuart Morrison - PR & Media Manager
No comments:
Post a Comment