Located at the state-of-the-art ICAR motorsport complex being developed on the site of the former Montréal-Mirabel International Airport, and set to open in May 2008, ICAR Academy aims to be an industry leader in high performance driving courses. The confirmation of Veilleux and Spénard confirms its intent with both men held in high regard by the automotive and racing industries.
With the ICAR facility boasting an impressive multi-configuration track layout combined with advanced safety features, ICAR Academy will offer the general public and corporate entertainment guests a wide range of advanced driving courses, where amongst other activities, they can experience the adrenalin-thrill of sampling one of ICAR's stunning race-prepped Ford Mustang's alongside a qualified instructor and unleashing its raw power in a safe, controlled environment.
Leading this experience will be seasoned racing driver and instructor Jean-Francois Veilleux (35) in his new role as Director of ICAR Academy. A former member of the famed Player's Driver Development Program, under the leadership of Spénard, Veilleux's career includes title wins in the Jim Russell F2000 Championship, the Canadian F-1600 Championship and most recently in the 2006 Toyota Cup Series. The Boucherville-native will also utilize his vast experience as one of Canada's leading on-track instructors having served amongst others as Senior Instructor at the Jim Russell Racing School at Mont-Tremblant and at the Driver's Edge facility in Las Vegas.
"The opportunity to work with ICAR from the beginning and develop the ICAR Academy into a leader in its field was too good for me to refuse," stated an enthusiastic Veilleux. "I've been instructing for over eighteen years now, and finally in the ICAR Academy I have the possibility to develop a wide range of driving programs that will suit everyone from the young student to the corporate executive. There is a program for everyone and for every purse. I'm looking forward to working again with Richard Spénard. He's someone I've always thought of highly as both a racing driver and an instructor and I'm delighted he's headlining what will be an incredible and professional team of instructors associated with ICAR Academy."
ICAR Academy's second high-profile signing is the fulfillment of the Chief Instructor role by Richard Spénard (54). The Montréal-born, Sainte-Adèle resident was one of Canada's foremost racing drivers with over 25 years on-track experience. A former team-mate of the late Gilles Villeneuve in Formula Atlantic, prior to winning the Canadian Formula 2000 Championship and Player's/GM Motorsport Series, Spénard's race record also boasted starts at the Le Mans 24 Hours and multiple wins in Trans-Am and in some of North America's leading endurance racing series.
Translating his successes as a racing driver into one of the country's foremost driver coaches, having worked with the likes of Jacques Villeneuve, Patrick Carpentier, Alex Tagliani and Andrew Ranger, Richard has also instructed at the Jim Russell Racing School in the U.S. he also established a racing school at Shannonville, Ontario and was recently the Director of Operations at the Skip Barber Racing School in Canada. In 2001 Spénard's efforts in motorsport were honoured with his induction into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame.
Details of ICAR Academy's programs will be available online at www.circuiticar.com shortly.
Copyright Free Image: Jean-Francois Veilleux (on the left) was appointed Director of ICAR Academy, and Richard Spénard (on the right) confirmed as Chief Instructor.
From Stuart Morrison
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