AL UNSER Jr is running his 18th Indianapolis 500 race this year, more than any other driver in the field. Unser, however, is not the oldest driver in the field, as that honour goes to EDDIE CHEEVER.
Unser, known as 'Little Al', will start 27th in Sunday's 90th running of the traditional Memorial Day event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Unser is racing for RICK WEIDINGER, who is using the Indy 500 to promote his A1 Grand Prix team and the concept of celebrating one's national pride through motorsports. Weidinger owns and runs the A1Team USA, which ran the 2005-2006 inaugural season of the international series. Weidinger christened his car 'We The People', with bold patriotic graphics designed by STEVE KAUFMAN, featuring a stylised American flag and the words 'We The People' in many languages.
The A1GP series was founded by His Highness The Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum of the Royal Family of Dubai. The Sheik will be Weidinger's guest at the Brickyard for the race.
The concept of A1 Grand Prix, which Weidinger calls the World Cup of Motorsport, calls for an identical car/identical technology format, with each country's franchised team featuring local drivers. The A1 name stands for unity and excellence. A is the first letter of the majority of the world's continents, and the number one signifies the unity between them. In most languages, including English, A1 means the best.
Weidinger thinks there is 'no better motorsports product in the world than nation versus nation'. He considers it an excellent way to promote the USA on an international level, promote American businesses abroad, and build relationships with other countries, such as China. Chinese businessmen have visited Weidinger in American to explore the possibilities.
