by Russell Atkins
TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW IN FULL: CLICK HERE
Looking back over Ireland's fortunes in the 2007/08 A1GP campaign, Adam Carroll admits that it was something of a season of two halves, but when it finally did get going, the emerald green car fairly flew.
Carroll joined the team for round two at Brno in the Czech Republic, replacing former grand prix ace Ralph Firman. The Ulsterman made an immediate impression by finishing up on the podium in the sprint outing, but whilst he went on to score points in six of the following seven races, it would be Mexico City some five months later when he next mounted the rostrum albeit on the top step, having secured his nation's maiden triumph in the World Cup of Motorsport at its 60th attempt, and from fifth spot on the starting grid.
The season has been great really, Carroll summarised, speaking exclusively to
Crash.net Radio. It took a little bit longer than we had first hoped to get going. It was a completely new team this year there are just two people who were here before and they're a great bunch of guys. It took me a little bit of time to get used to the car, but once we did and figured it all out it was there we go, let's get on with it'. It all just came together and started to gel.
We turned up in Mexico and won the race, went to China and got a third and then got another third at
Brands Hatch, with what was the best car I'd had all year. To finish the season strongly is what you have to do, and we got sixth place in the championship two points off fifth, which was a little unfortunate but that was very good.