MIRABEL, Que. — His racing career stalled at the side of the road, Jacques Villeneuve tried his hand as a singer and restaurateur, but now the former F1 world champion is giving back to the profession he loves by opening a driving academy.

The Canadian driver describes his role in the partnership with ICAR -- a massive racing complex that, when it opened last year, took over many of the unused runways of the largely defunct Mirabel airport north of Montreal -- as more of a mentor and resident expert.

"I won't be a day-to-day teacher, an instructor, that's not my presence here," the 38-year-old Villeneuve said in an interview at the sprawling track that caters to professional drivers and thrill-seekers.

"I'm still a race-car driver."

While he admits it's been tough, he's again making finding sponsors and reviving his racing career his full-time job. He even sold his trendy downtown Montreal restaurant "Newtown" a few months ago.

But given the amount of time he spends training at the ICAR facility -- he even helped them re-design the karting track -- lending his name and expertise to the company's driving school was a no-brainer.

As part of the renewable three-year deal signed last month, Villeneuve will get a percentage of ICAR's revenues in exchange for his input and attendance at major racing events.

"It was just a logical evolution of my implication here," he said, adding he likes hanging out there.

"It's a little bit of a social club the way it's been organized. It's like being part of a golf club."

From a thrilling rip around a racetrack in a Mustang GT with a professional driver to a three-day course aimed at securing a racing licence, the Jacques Villeneuve Academy offers a wide range of programs for novice drivers and professionals alike.

The academy also offers defensive driving courses for teens and adults as well as numerous karting packages for children as young as nine.

"The track is quite safe and allows you to do stupid things without either damaging the equipment or damaging yourself," Villeneuve said.

"The track is complex so it's good for learning. It's not extremely fast, there's not a lot of straight lines, but the cornering, the layout, is quite difficult so you can learn a lot about driving."

ICAR spokesman Louis-Philippe Gelinas called Villeneuve a "godfather" whose experience is invaluable when it comes to planning racing events and putting together training packages.

Noting ICAR saw about 500 students pass through its various courses last year, Gelinas said the academy already has more than that registered for this year.

Although both admit this year's loss of the Montreal Grand Prix is a major blow to the city, neither thinks it will affect business.

"It's sad for Montreal but for us starting a business like this, it's a great opportunity," said Gelinas, adding ICAR is hosting a super bike event this summer and is hoping to attract some 7,500 spectators.

"Without the Grand Prix, I think motorsport fans will be looking for excitement and the smell of rubber and gasoline so we think it's going to be a great success."

Montreal lost the popular sporting event last fall after government officials concluded F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone's asking price -- $175 million over five years -- was simply too high.

Canadian officials had offered $110 million over five years, plus a cut of the annual profits.

The event will now take place in Turkey.

Villeneuve won the 1997 F1 world championship as well as the 1995 CART Championship and the 1995 Indianapolis 500.