Carpentier interested in RuSPORT

The Canadian, who competed in the Indy Car series last year, last raced a Champ Car in the 2004 season finale in Mexico City.

Despite having five Champ Car wins to his name, and finishing third in the 2002 and '04 series, Carpentier feels he would still need a day of testing in order to do himself justice.

He told autosport.com: "Yeah, it would be fantastic to be back in a Champ Car, especially at Montreal, but it depends on what the deal is.

"If RuSPORT couldn't offer me a day of testing first, then it wouldn't be so interesting. I want the chance to do a good job for them and a good job for me."

The RuSPORT team will only run one car this weekend at the Grand Prix of Denver, but is certain to become a two car team at the season's remaining four rounds - Montreal, Road America, Surfers Paradise and Mexico City.

Given his huge fan base in Quebec, and his traditionally strong performances there and at Road America, Carpentier would appear to be an obvious candidate for RuSPORT.

However, asked whether Montreal Champ Car race organiser Alan Labrosse has been working on his behalf to get him in the No. 10 RuSPORT car, Carpentier said: "I think Labrosse is trying to get Jacques Villeneuve in the car, actually. Certainly it's getting the race a lot of attention having that possibility out there."

Carpentier, who has been linked with NASCAR Busch drives for 2007 also said that test sessions in Busch or ARCA cars may preclude his participation in Champ Cars this year.

"It depends what [long-time personal sponsor] Mecachrome want. I know they're very keen for me to do Busch next year, so if NASCAR confirmed a Busch race in Montreal in 2007, then testing for a Busch team would have to take priority over Champ Cars."