MIRABEL, QC – Alex Tagliani, at the helm of the No. 80 St-Hubert/BFL Canada/440 Laval Chevrolet/Qwick Wick/Arobas/La Petite Bretonne Chevrolet, showcased an impressive performance during the Evirum 100 at Circuit ICAR. Starting in the 23rd position, he fought his way to a sixth-place finish.
Despite his team’s tremendous efforts to overcome persistent brake issues, Tagliani’s aspirations for a victory remained just out of reach. The day was marked by technical difficulties from the get go, with challenges emerging during the early morning practice session.
“First and foremost, I have to thank the team for their hard work this weekend,” said Tagliani. “It certainly wasn’t the weekend we anticipated. They worked tirelessly. From the first practice, we knew we were facing brake problems.”
Despite Theetge Motorsport’s relentless efforts to address the brake issues, the problem persisted, hampering the car’s overall performance.
“We managed to improve the situation by about 70%,” explained Tagliani. “Starting near the back and finishing sixth was a testament to the team’s effort. But it was bittersweet because we knew the car was capable of more.”
The 43-lap race was also filled with dramatic restarts and strategic overtakes. Tagliani had to navigate carefully, particularly given the fragile state of his brakes, which significantly influenced his race strategy.
“I had to be extremely cautious,” he said. “Then there was some rough racing ahead during a restart. I got squeezed into a corner with no room to maneuver, which led to contact with another car. We lost ground, and the suspension was damaged in the incident, which affected our speed towards the end.”
Despite the setbacks, Tagliani and his team remain determined.
“We’re going to regroup, prepare, and hope for better results at Mosport,” said Tagliani.
Next Sunday’s race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park presents a new opportunity for the team to demonstrate their resilience and aim for an improved performance.
- By Éliane Gilain/Service Presse
