JACQUES VILLENEUVE PROMISES TO BE PART OF THE UPCOMING GRAND PRIX SKI-DOO DE VALCOURT
January 8, 2009
RELEASE: Valcourt, January 8, 2009 – Since 1986, there has been only a few Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt editions that Jacques Villeneuve, by far the most passionate and most courageous driver of Canada’s motorsport history, has not entered. Comes February 20, 21 and 22, expect the St-Cuthbert (Québec) veteran to honour his annual rendez-vous with his fans. He intends to show up healthy, having fully recovered after an accident in the season’s opener at Beausejour (Manitoba) left him with a broken leg. In fact, as he stated this week, he could have entered the Eagle River vintage weekend kicking off tomorrow, or the World Championship Snowmobile Derby next week. But wisdom has prevailed and Villeneuve will instead return to the track at Boonville (New York), January 31st and February 1st.
‘’My thighbone has healed well. I don’t still put all my weight on my wounded leg but I could have raced my friend Guy Montminy’s vintage sled this weekend”, says Villeneuve who for a change, doesn’t sound frustrated to be home and away from the iced ovals. He adds: ‘‘ I felt that I had to be a little more cautious and choose to return to the track only at the end of the month. This way, I have better chances to do all of the Eastern Pro Tour races including of course, going back to Valcourt where I couldn’t race last year.”
For the legendary driver who turned fifty a few years ago and can claim a little less than forty winter seasons spent on the iced oval tracks, evidently the flame is still burning. Although, he admits that he is seing some things differently now. ‘’There is stuff that I don’t like or wish to do anymore. For example, I am no longer spending my nights working on my sleds. I let others play the mechanics. On the other hand, I still enjoy travelling and of course being the fastest on track. Here at home, not much beats a walk to the shop in my garage and the sound of an engine on my dyno. I am always willing to devote plenty of time for more power”, says a very serene Villeneuve.