Bessette honored with award in Canada

NAMED BY CANADIAN AUTOMOBILE SPORTS CLUB
Antoine Bessette, champion race driver in 2005

Montreal, December 14. -- Already winner of the Gilles-Villeneuve trophy that was awarded to him for his season in the Champ Car Formula Atlantic, 23-year old race driver Antoine Bessette was nominated the Canadian Champion Race Driver of 2005 by the Canadian Automobile Sports Club, Ontario section. He will be honoured next February at the annual gala evening of the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame in Toronto. Among the previous winners are famous Atlantic drivers like Bill Brack, members of the Villeneuve family, Patrick Carpentier, Alexandre Tagliani and Michael Valiante. Last year, Andrew Ranger earned the title.

" I'm very honoured again to be named among the professional drivers in the country, admits Bessette. It was my first season in the Champ Car Formula Atlantic and I think my outings showed consistency all along the season. My two victories in Toronto and Montreal must have been the turning point in my selection. "

Canadian Automobile Sports Club, Ontario section

The national sporting authority in the country up to 1991 when ASN Canada FIA stepped in, CASC Ontario section kept the privilege of awarding the title of Canadian Champion Race Driver at the end of every season. The committee studied the performances of top Canadian drivers and selected the St-Bruno, Quebec racer.

Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame

Bessette will be honoured next February 4 at the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame gala evening to be held at the convention center in Mississauga, an evening when seven more hall-of-famers will be inducted.

A two-time winner in Toronto and Montreal in the Toyota Atlantic series and third overall in the standings, Bessette was awarded the most prestigious honour after the series title. The Gilles-Villeneuve Trophy is conferred annually "to the driver who possesses extraordinary ability, has that special "star quality" and who has been distinguished through sportsmanship, dedication and perseverance in the face of disappointment".

Negotiating for 2006

While there are discussions going on, Bessette is considering returning to the new Champ Car Formula Atlantic series that will debut in April. An announcement will be out when a decision is reached.

Antoine Bessette wished all motorsport fans the Best for the Season and takes the opportunity to thank the large number of fans who took some time to visit his web site at www.bessetteracing.com .

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