A new Canadian on the grid
Alex Penfold of Jon Groom Racing
By Kate Shaw
Photos © Mark Weber/SCCA
SEBRING, Florida (March 17, 2005) – Alex Penfold, new this year to Speed World Challenge and Jon Groom Racing, has a couple of mountains to climb. His first race in the Axa/Pfaff Porsche is at the famous fabled 12 Hours of Sebring – and for his first ever qualifying it’s raining pitchforks and hammer handles. Fortunately, perhaps, the qualifying sessions for Speed World Challenge were cancelled at the last minute due to the weather, and the teams will rely on their combined practice times – not that Alex was particularly concerned about this in any event; he had some experience driving in the rain in his previous series, and he’s ready to deal with whatever circumstances obtain on race day.

Although he’s a rookie driver in this series, Alex Penfold comes to Jon Groom Racing fresh off a year in the Honda Michelin Series where he took one pole, two wins and two podiums and was named Rookie of the Year; and he confidently assured me that he holds the same ambition for 2005. “Not,” he pointed out, “that the Honda Michelin car was anything like the one I am driving now!” Sebring will be his first race in the Porsche, but he’s done testing on the track with the Porsche Club of America and finds the track challenging but not intimidating. “I like close racing,” he assured me. “You have to be careful of course, and maintain your dignity out there, but it’s fun to see how close you can get in moving to the front! I really enjoy the Speed World Challenge; it’s great exposure through Speed Channel and gives the manufacturers a chance to watch the drivers in action and see what we can offer them – a good way to get sponsors for the next year.”

As for the Jon Groom Racing team, Alex was full of praise for the way they have welcomed and supported him in his rookie attack on the Speed World Challenge. “They are great people,” he said, “serious about their racing, but not so serious that they don’t enjoy what they are doing! The team worked until 2:00 a.m. preparing my car, and when you consider that they have three cars to prepare now, it really boosts my confidence to realize that they have spent that much time and attention getting me ready to race.”

Alex is one of two 19 year olds in the Speed World Challenge this year, and he doesn’t consider that to be a factor. “Age matters less than ability and experience,” he said, “and I find that I’m really competitive already and can only move forward as I gain experience.

Currently plans are that Alex will be racing in selected races for 2005; however, this is subject to change as the team’s sponsors get a chance to take a good look at him and see what he can do for them. If everything goes well for him, Alex would like to repeat as Rookie of the Year, and next year to challenge for the championship in Speed World Challenge Touring Cars. Beyond that, he does not speculate. “Speed World Challenge,” he said, “is the place for me in 2005 and beyond. I will let the future take care of itself.”

Confidence, a proven record on the track, and boundless enthusiasm – these are the traits that will serve this young Canadian Porsche driver well. Look for Alex Penfold on the podium in a Speed World Challenge race coming to a track near you.