Jacques Villeneuve opens racing school near Montreal
What do you do when your racing career is reaching its end? Well, if you were high-profile enough at the height of your career, you open a racing school. That's what former Indy and Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve has done, following various attempts to remain in F1, switch to NASCAR, starting a music career, and opening his own club/restaurant in downtown Montreal.
The new school is located at the ICAR racing complex, which Villeneuve helped design, about 20 minutes north of Montreal at the largely unused Mirabel airport. One of the largest airports in the world (in terms of land size), Mirabel was originally envisioned as the future hub for supersonic air travel to and from North America. Since that never really took off, so to speak, Mirabel has a lot of extra runways – perfect for opening a race track.
The Jacques Villeneuve Academy will offer a wide range of programs from novice to expert, allowing enthusiasts and aspiring drivers to benefit from Villeneuve's once-great racing prowess. Montreal may be lacking the grand prix this year, but between the Jim Russell racing school, the Ferrari driving program and Jacques' new academy all within easy reach, the racing spirit certainly hasn't left town.
[Source: Autosport | Image: Darrell Ingham/Getty]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ken_aisin 8:53AM (5/05/2009)
What about a singing school too?
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Kitko 9:07AM (5/05/2009)
Actually, I bought JV's album Private Paradise and it's not bad. It's not a chart topper, sure, but it's rather decent and not just for a guy who won Indy 500 and F1 Championship. I heard worse from established middle-of-the-road music acts. I have the CD in my car :-)
Think of it this way - 99% of the racing drivers can't do anything else and 99% of them will never win any title.
ken_aisin 9:19AM (5/05/2009)
I guess you misunderstood my statement. I never meant JV is a bad singer. I have also listened to his Private Paradise CD, and it's not bad at all.
Kitko 9:52AM (5/05/2009)
Well, it was little ambiguous, but I gave you the benefit of doubt :-) JV sister is a professional singer so perhaps he could outsource singing lessons to her.
Silly Pickle 9:44AM (5/05/2009)
As a fellow Canuck, I had always hoped Jacques would conquer more titles then he did. I wonder whether fatherhood and the thought/possibility of his own child losing his father maybe slowed him down. I remember that crash from when I was a kid...and Gilles was my ultimate racing hero then...it must always be in the back of his mind.
I for one, would be excited like a kid at Christmas just ot meet the guy never mind attend his school. Way to go Jacques! Best of luck!!
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sparkster 9:58AM (5/05/2009)
Scott Goodyear won that Indy 500 not JV. Pace car driver slows down before going green and Scott passes the pace car while it's entering the the pit lane. Bad call by Indy car officials.
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EEL 12:20PM (5/05/2009)
...Since when have I.M.S. officials made a good call? (Oh, I miss CART/Champ Car...I'm just bitter...damn you, Tony George!).
Nicolas 1:50PM (5/05/2009)
Does JV still have a seat in the Peugeot 908 at this year's LeMans? Would love to see him set that achievement.
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tuna 2:48PM (5/05/2009)
Will there be lessons on crashing?
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