Autosport hails Canada’s McIntosh as A1GP revelation

Courtesy Stuart Morrison Public Relations

Montreal, Québec (April 21, 2006) – Sean McIntosh’s efforts over the winter behind the wheel of Canada’s entry in the inaugural A1 Grand Prix of Nations caught the attention of many industry observers and media alike, not least the 20-year-old’s sublime drive from last-to-first in Indonesia in February to capture A1 Team Canada’s maiden victory.

With the first ever ‘World Cup of Motorsport’ concluding in China earlier this month the traditional period of reflection has now kicked in with Autosport magazine running a season review in this week’s edition, published Thursday April 20th. The world-famous weekly motorsport publication, in addition to reviewing all the action on-track from a thrilling first season of A1GP competition, compiled its own top-ten driver ranking for the class of 05-06 placing A1 Team Canada’s Sean McIntosh seventh overall from a stellar line-up of international talent, Sean contesting the first eight rounds before handing over to Patrick Carpentier for the final three events. In reviewing Sean’s impressive A1GP campaign, where he led Canada to 10th overall in the final Nations Standings.

Autosport stated: “For a driver only called up with days to spare before Round 1, Formula Renault UK runner-up Sean McIntosh was one of the revelations of A1GP. Understandably out of his depth at Brands Hatch but he was on the podium at the second meeting at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz. His win in his final race of the season f om the back of the grid in Indonesia was deserved.” r rit s r- In addition to reviewing the A1GP season, this week’s Autosport also previews the 2006 World Series by Renault which starts next weekend, 29th-30th April, at Zolder in Belgium.

Sean graduates to the European-based World Series by Renault with the Belgian KTR squad following two highly successful seasons racing in the Formula Renault UK Championship. Looking at Sean’s credentials as he continues his career path to Formula One Autosport commented: “McIntosh was one of the stars of A1GP and last year’s Formula Renault runner-up has been quick in testing. His A1 experience should also make the transition to World Series level easier and he should prove himself to be Jacques Villeneuve’s long-term successor as Canada’s best driver.”

Sean’s international successes haven’t gone unnoticed here in his home country either.

Canada’s Inside Track Magazine featured McIntosh’s Indonesian A1GP victory as the cover story on its April edition and with one week of voting left in the annual Inside Track Readers’ Choice Awards, Sean’s burgeoning open-wheel career could be set for further acknowledgement by Canadian motorsport fans. Eligible in three categories, ‘Canadian Road Racer of the Year’, ‘Up and Coming Road Racer of the Year’ and ‘Overall Canadian Racer of the Year’, fans can vote for Sean by logging on to http://www.insidetracknews.com/ and follow the link to the Readers’ Choice Awards ballot page. Voting closes at 6pm on Friday April 28th.