Antoine Bessette still looking for a ride in 2006

Courtesy Service Presse

Montreal, Canada, April 6th. – Unable to strike a deal with a few teams in the new Champ Car Atlantic championship, Quebec’s own Antoine Bessette is seeking for a seat left in other competitive series in 2006. Negotiations with four teams did not materialize and the double Gilles-Villeneuve award winner does not want to remain idle and wants to try his luck with the very competitive prototype racers. Bessette was invited to test with 2005 GP2 champion team ART Grand Prix, but decline the offer to stay in America.

“Up to the very last minute before the test days in Fontana, I thought I had it made with a team in the new Champ Car Atlantic series, says the 23 year old, but the agreement fell short. This is the reason why I want to find an opportunity with a team in the Grand-Am or American Le Mans series. Just spread the word. This is the path that many drivers coming out of Atlantic have followed (Valiante, Dalziel, Fogarty).”

Still aiming for Champ Car
Even if Bessette will not enter the Champ Car Atlantic series for a second year, he is still nursing a project that will see him in Champ car in 2007. He goes on: “I want to thank the Atlantic team owners that tried to workout something with me. Obviously, I’m disappointed. I have won races in all the series I’ve entered, Formula Ford, Pro Barber Dodge, Formula Renault and Atlantic. And I got better every year. I’m sure I can be competitive in Champ Car. That’s why I’ll start working on the 2007 project right away.”

Will be in Long Beach
Antoine Bessette will be in Long Beach this coming weekend for the start of the season. He will meet with some teams and look for opportunities. “I want to thank all the fans that asked for news. They have been so important in my career so far. They need not worry, I’ll bounce back!”

Canadian events hopeful
Winners of two rounds last year in Montreal and Toronto with Team Polestar, Bessette was a Gilles-Villeneuve award winner from the Atlantic series for the driver who possesses extraordinary ability, has that special "star quality" and who has been distinguished through sportsmanship, dedication and perseverance in the face of disappointment" and Best Canadian Race Driver from the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame. Bessette admits there is a possibility to see him enter all three Canadian events.

Antoine Bessette takes the opportunity to thank the large number of fans who took some time to visit his web site at www.bessetteracing.com.