Few seasons in the 33-year history of the Atlantic Championship have brought as much anticipation and excitement as there is ahead of the 2006 season, which opens this weekend at Long Beach.
As an off-season of activity that saw the series completely reinvent itself transitions into the much-anticipated spring racing schedule, Atlantics are primed for a dynamic season opener at one of its most popular venues.
One of the deepest and strongest line-ups in racing will take the green flag this weekend at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Eager to test the limits of the new Swift-Mazda/Cosworth in pursuit of the series title and unprecedented $2 million champion's bonus to help secure a ride in the 2007 Champ Car World Series, Atlantic competitors have turned out in droves.
The largest field in the Atlantic series in seven years will battle wheel-to-wheel on the 1.968-mile Long Beach street circuit culminating with Sunday's Imperial Capital Bank Atlantic Championship event. The impressive Long Beach line-up features representatives from 12 different countries, including 14 drivers from the United States, and seven hailing from the host state of California.
With a host of new teams, 19 rookie drivers and only one test session with the new car to evaluate, it's anyone's guess who will set the pace this weekend. One thing is clear, however – there's plenty of talent to choose from.
A series champion is always a good bet to perform well and few drivers bring more class or experience than 1997 Atlantic title-winner Alex Barron. The Menifee, California native will make his first start for Polestar Racing Group as he rejoins the series that propelled him into Champ Cars in the late 90s. His rookie teammate Alan Sciuto of Orange, California became the youngest pole-winner in the history of Atlantics last year at 17 years of age, but he'll make his first start on the challenging Long Beach street course this weekend.
After a strong performance two weeks ago in the only pre-season test session with the '06 Atlantic, the PR1 Motorsports duo of Jonathan Bomarito and Mike Forest also look formidable. Bomarito topped the charts on both days of the test while Forest logged the most miles in the new car as the team made sure it was ready to come out strong at Long Beach.
After securing four of the top 11 times in the recent test at California Speedway, the new Forsythe Championship Racing foursome also let it be known that they mean business. James Hinchcliffe led the “Track Pack” in testing but he'll be pushed by teammates Andreas Wirth, Leonardo Maia and Richard Philippe every step of the way.
Two of the most famous names in racing will get a chance to show what they can do together this weekend. Mi-Jack Conquest Racing joined the Forsythe team as Champ Car squads expanding to Atlantics in '06. MJCR has also entered the series with a strong line-up, bringing Atlantic veteran Al Unser III - son of six-time Long Beach Champ Car race winner al Unser Jr. – in to team with rising young star Graham Rahal – the 17-year-old son of three-time Champ Car champion Bobby Rahal.
